Examine the impact of the Congress of Vienna on Germany.

The question requires that candidates consider the interrelationship between the terms agreed at the Congress of Vienna and their impact on the German region of Europe. Candidates should outline the territorial settlement, with the establishment of the German Confederation of 39 states including the German territories of Austria. The Congress clearly recognized the notion of “Germaness”. Austria as president of the Confederation had limited powers as member states could refuse to accept laws proposed by the Diet. Member states were expected to develop constitutions, but compliance was variable. A key impact was on Prussia, which gained territory in the Rhineland and Saxony becoming the strongest economy. Initially Austria was the most influential state especially when trying to repress nationalism (Carlsbad Decrees). Some may argue that the most significant impact was that it set the scene for Austro-Prussian rivalry for dominance in Germany. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions should be clearly stated and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the interrelationship between the terms agreed at the Congress of Vienna and their impact on Germany. Some good knowledge was shown of the detail of the Congress of Vienna and its impact on Germany. Longer term impacts in terms of the rise of Prussia and the decline of Austrian power were also successfully discussed.