The document discusses the formation of a Confederation and Federal Army in Germany in the 1840s. Nationalist sentiment encouraged by German princes during the Napoleonic Wars lingered after. When France threatened to take German territory along the Rhine in 1840, Prussia organized military forces to defend the Confederation, uniting Germans. While this highlighted the potential strength of cooperation, it took six years to agree to a Federal Army, which individual states were unwilling to fully commit their forces to.

2. The Confederation
German princes stoked
nationalism to encourage the
fight against Napoleon. These
feelings did not disappear.
Many Germans were wary of
future aggression by France or
Russia and wanted protected.

3. Events of 1840
In 1840, France threatened to
extend its border to the Rhine,
taking German territory.
There was fury across
Germany at this and a military
force was organised by Prussia
to see off this threat.

4. Federal Army
Eventually a Federal Army
(made up of forces from
various states) was set up to
protect the Confederation.
Like the Zollverein, this
brought together the
organisation of different states.

5. Arguments for
Prussia’s defence of the Rhine in
1840 united poor and wealthy
Germans, highlighting the
strength of joint working.
Patriotic songs were written about
the Rhine’s defence (including the
current German anthem)

6. Arguments against
It took six years to agree to set up a Federal Army. Even then,
the army was unworkable as individual states would not give
up power over their forces.