Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The unification of Germany, c1840–71 - 2 Failure of revolution, 1848–51:…
Full specification wording
Paper 2, Option 2D.2: The unification of Germany, c1840–71 - 2 Failure of revolution, 1848–51: The political impact of the German revolutions: the ambitions of Prussia and Austria, 1849–51; re- establishment of the German Confederation; significance of revolutionary failure for German nationalism and liberalism.
After 1849 Prussia and Austria competed for leadership in Germany.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
After 1849 Prussia and Austria competed for leadership in Germany. Prussia's Erfurt Union of 1850 aimed to unite German states under Prussian direction, but Austria opposed it. At Olmütz in November 1850 Prussia backed down, accepting the revival of the German Confederation, restored in 1851 under Austrian presidency. This restored the pre-1848 order, with the Bundestag at Frankfurt and Austria dominant. For nationalism, failure discredited the idealist route to unity and shifted attention towards Prussian power politics, as later seen in Bismarck's policies. For liberalism, the collapse of the Frankfurt Assembly showed that constitutions could not be won without power; many liberals turned to realism, while some retained hopes of gradual reform. The 1848–49 experience thus shaped the agenda of the 1850s and 1860s.
What earns the marks
- Explains Prussia's ambition to lead Germany through the Erfurt Union and its failure at Olmütz in 1850.
- Explains Austria's determination to restore its presidency of the German Confederation and the re-establishment of the Bundestag in 1851.
- Assesses the significance of failure for nationalism, including the shift from liberal idealism towards power politics.
- Assesses the significance of failure for liberalism, including disillusionment, realism and continued support for gradual reform.
- Reaches a judgement on how far 1849–51 reshaped German politics, linking the period to later unification.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the Erfurt Union with the Frankfurt Assembly.
Put it right by distinguishing Prussia's 1850 union project from the 1848–49 assembly.
Treating Olmütz as a military defeat.
Put it right by describing it as a diplomatic humiliation in which Prussia abandoned the union.
Claiming nationalism disappeared after 1849.
Put it right by arguing it was redirected rather than destroyed.
Exam tips
- Use the terms Grossdeutsch and Kleindeutsch accurately when discussing Prussia and Austria.
- Link the 1849–51 settlement to later developments to show significance over time.
- Support claims about liberalism with evidence of liberal responses, not just assembly failure.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 2, Option 2D.2: The unification of Germany, c1840–71 - 2 Failure of revolution, 1848–51: The political impact of the German revolutions: the ambitions of Prussia and Austria, 1849–51; re- establishment of the German Confederation; significance of revolutionary failure for German nationalism and liberalism. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which body was re-established in 1851 after the failure of the German revolutions?
Listen
After 1849 Prussia and Austria competed for leadership in Germany. Prussia's Erfurt Union of 1850 aimed to unite German states under Prussian direction, but Austria opposed it. At Olmütz in November 1850 Prussia backed down, accepting the revival of the German Confederation, restored in 1851 under Austrian presidency. This restored the pre-1848 order, with the Bundestag at Frankfurt and Austria dominant. For nationalism, failure discredited the idealist route to unity and shifted attention towards Prussian power politics, as later seen in Bismarck's policies. For liberalism, the collapse of the Frankfurt Assembly showed that constitutions could not be won without power; many liberals turned to realism, while some retained hopes of gradual reform. The 1848–49 experience thus shaped the agenda of the 1850s and 1860s. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains Prussia's ambition to lead Germany through the Erfurt Union and its failure at Olmütz in 1850. Explains Austria's determination to restore its presidency of the German Confederation and the re-establishment of the Bundestag in 1851. Assesses the significance of failure for nationalism, including the shift from liberal idealism towards power politics. Assesses the significance of failure for liberalism, including disillusionment, realism and continued support for gradual reform. A common slip: Confusing the Erfurt Union with the Frankfurt Assembly. Instead, distinguishing Prussia's 1850 union project from the 1848–49 assembly. Exam tip: Use the terms Grossdeutsch and Kleindeutsch accurately when discussing Prussia and Austria.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Prussian and Austrian rivalry
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Restoration of the German Confederation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Nationalism after 1849
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Liberalism and realism
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Prussian and Austrian rivalry
- After 1849 Prussia and Austria competed for leadership in Germany, with Prussia's Erfurt Union opposed by Austria.
- Restoration of the German Confederation
- Prussia backed down at Olmütz in November 1850, accepting the revival of the German Confederation, restored in 1851 under Austrian presidency.
- Nationalism after 1849
- Failure discredited the idealist route to unity and shifted attention towards Prussian power politics, as later seen in Bismarck's policies.
- Liberalism and realism
- The collapse of the Frankfurt Assembly showed that constitutions could not be won without power; many liberals turned to realism, while some retained hopes of gradual reform.
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