The challenge of German nationalism 1789–1919 — OCR A-Level History

This topic explores the development of German nationalism from the late 18th century to the aftermath of World War I. It begins with the fragmented Holy Roman Empire, where Germany was a patchwork of over 300 states, and traces the rise of nationalist sentiment influenced by the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Key events include the 1848 Revolutions, the unification under Prussia led by Otto von Bismarck, and the establishment of the German Empire in 1871. The topic concludes with the challenges of nationalism during the Wilhelmine era and its role in the outbreak of World War I, culminating in the collapse of the empire and the Weimar Republic's formation in 1919.

Understanding this topic is crucial because it explains how Germany transformed from a cultural concept into a unified nation-state, reshaping European politics. It highlights the interplay between liberalism, conservatism, and nationalism, and how figures like Bismarck used 'blood and iron' to achieve unification. The topic also examines the tensions between different visions of Germany—'Grossdeutsch' (including Austria) vs. 'Kleindeutsch' (excluding Austria)—and the impact of industrialization, social change, and militarism. For A-Level students, this topic provides a foundation for understanding 20th-century German history, including the rise of extremism and the two world wars.

Within the OCR A-Level specification, this topic is part of the 'British and German History' paper. It requires students to analyze primary sources, evaluate historical interpretations, and construct coherent arguments. Mastery of this topic involves understanding key turning points, such as the 1848 Revolutions, the Austro-Prussian War (1866), and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), as well as the role of nationalism in shaping domestic and foreign policy. Students should also consider the limitations of nationalism, including the exclusion of minorities and the authoritarian nature of the German Empire.

• →Kleindeutsch vs. Grossdeutsch: The debate over whether a unified Germany should include Austria (Grossdeutsch) or exclude it under Prussian leadership (Kleindeutsch). Bismarck's solution was the Kleindeutsch solution, which excluded Austria and established the German Empire in 1871.
• →Realpolitik: A pragmatic, power-based approach to politics, famously employed by Bismarck. It involved using diplomacy, war, and manipulation to achieve goals, such as provoking wars with Denmark, Austria, and France to unify Germany.
• →Nationalism as a unifying and divisive force: While nationalism united German-speaking peoples, it also excluded non-German minorities (e.g., Poles, Danes, French in Alsace-Lorraine) and created tensions within the multi-ethnic Austrian Empire.
• →The role of war in unification: The three wars of unification—the Danish War (1864), Austro-Prussian War (1866), and Franco-Prussian War (1870-71)—were instrumental in forging German unity under Prussian military dominance.
• →The 1848 Revolutions: A key moment when liberal nationalists attempted to unify Germany through a constitutional assembly. Their failure highlighted the strength of conservative forces and set the stage for Bismarck's top-down unification.

• Analysis of social and intellectual forces including the impact of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna, and the 1848/1849 revolutions.
• Evaluation of economic forces such as the Zollverein, industrialization, and their impact on national unity.
• Assessment of political and military forces, specifically the roles of Metternich, Bismarck, and Wilhelm II.
• Evaluation of the extent of unification, considering cultural, religious, and regional differences.
• Analysis of the role of Prussia in the development of Germany.
• Evaluation of the impact of the First World War and defeat on German nationalism.

• 💡Ensure you consider developments over the full period of at least 100 years for the thematic essay.
• 💡For the in-depth interpretation element, demonstrate an understanding of the wider historical debate connected to the specific depth studies.
• 💡Do not study the identified strands in isolation; examine the inter-relationships within the theme.
• 💡Reach substantiated judgements by testing hypotheses rather than just describing events.
• 💡Use specific examples: When discussing nationalism, always refer to key events, documents, or figures. For instance, mention the 'Address to the German Nation' by Fichte, the Carlsbad Decrees, or the Ems Telegram. This shows depth of knowledge and supports your arguments.
• 💡Analyze sources critically: In source-based questions, consider the provenance, purpose, and context. For example, a source from a liberal nationalist in 1848 will have a different perspective than a conservative Prussian official. Identify bias and corroborate with your own knowledge.
• 💡Structure your essays: Use a clear thesis and paragraph structure. For 'how far' or 'to what extent' questions, present balanced arguments and reach a nuanced conclusion. For example, when evaluating the role of nationalism in unification, consider other factors like economic integration (Zollverein) and diplomatic maneuvering.

• Misconception: German nationalism was always a single, unified movement. Correction: Nationalism had multiple strands, including liberal, conservative, and radical variants. Liberals sought a constitutional monarchy, while conservatives like Bismarck used nationalism to strengthen the Prussian monarchy and suppress liberal democracy.
• Misconception: The 1848 Revolutions were a complete failure. Correction: While they failed to achieve unification, they established important precedents, such as the Frankfurt Parliament, and demonstrated the popular appeal of nationalism. Many of their ideas, like a unified German state, were later realized by Bismarck, albeit in a more authoritarian form.
• Misconception: Bismarck was a German nationalist. Correction: Bismarck was a Prussian nationalist and conservative who used German nationalism as a tool to enhance Prussian power. He was skeptical of liberal nationalism and sought to preserve the traditional social and political order.