reasons for german unification decline of austria
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Relations with Russia
Russia and Austria were allies; Russia helped Austria
overcome the 1848-49 revolutions.
During the 1850s Crimean War, Russia expected
Austrian support. Austria’s refusal destroyed the
countries’ relationship.
Politics and economics
Austria could do nothing to stop the
Nationalverein being set up, which campaigned in
the Bund for German unity.
Austria was also behind Prussian economically due
to a lack of natural resources.
Arguments for influence
If the Russians had supported Austria, it is less likely that Bismarck would
provoked war.
The weak Austrian economy also made it
harder for them to influence other states or
build a strong army.
Bismarck’s role
Bismarck benefited from the Zollverein and Austria
refusing to support Russia.
Bismarck allowed Russia to access Prussian land during a battle with Polish forces.
This also stopped him worrying about Poles in
German territory.