Britain and the Economic Unification of Germany, 1850-1865: The Two Zollverein Crises
Summary
Between 1830 to the 1860s the question of German unification gained increased significance as a European problem. Simultaneously, free trade as an idea proliferated with rapid political connotations that came to shape the outcome of how Germany’s neighbours perceived unification. Britain, deeply invested in how German unification would shape the balance of power, perceived German politics through its own liberal free trade identity. Going beyond the already researched episodes of the 1848 Revolutions, the 1848-1852 and 1864 Schleswig-Holstein Crises, and 1860s Wars of German Unification, and focusing instead upon the struggle for economic leadership in Germany via the Zollverein (the German customs union), this paper demonstrates British observers maintained vivid preferences towards the role and character of a united Germany. The arena of commercial rivalry is shown to be a nexus of the wider problems of the German question. British observers consistently prioritised a liberal solution to the German question, which ultimately led to broad support for Prussian leadership in the Zollverein, as Prussia had framed itself as a proponent for tariff liberalisation, and thus of wider Germany. Although, throughout the 1850s some actors such as the press often advocated a system of dualism (joint Austro-Prussian leadership), a pro-Prussian consensus ultimately emerged. Britain also maintained an instrumental view of united Germany’s geopolitical role within the heart of Europe as another territorially satisfied Power that would check French and Russian aggression. Using a wide range of underutilised source material this thesis presents the first account of British public opinion towards the Zollverein. This includes: parliamentary speeches; editions of the Times, Economist, Manchester Guardian, and Observer; academic articles published in the Edinburgh Review and Quarterly Review; and the correspondence of British diplomats and consuls stationed in the German Confederation. Subsequently, it is shown the perceptions of British observers towards the Zollverein mirror the wider positions they held on the internal political organisation and external integration of Germany into the European states system. Surprisingly, by researching two pivotal moments in the development of the Zollverein – the accession of the Steuerverein into the Zollverein, 1850-53, and the 1860-65 negotiations for a free trade treaty with France and Britain – it is shown free trade held pronounced political undertones that can help explain how British public opinion formulated an ideal outcome for a united German nation.