German industrialization was largely driven by coal and steel production, of which Germany had rich deposits, and these were used in construction and infrastructure to modernize the country. The mechanization of agriculture also fed into this, as many people from rural regions flocked to cities in search of work.
What was the industrialization in Germany?
Industrialization in Germany was the phase of the breakthrough of industrialization in Germany, beginning at the time from around 1815 to 1835. This period was preceded by the periods of pre-industrialization and early industrialization.
Why was the Rhineland important to German industrialization?
This was particularly important for the emerging industrial centers, most of which were located in the Rhineland, the Saar, and the Ruhr valleys. For a period of decades, until about 1860’s, there were attempts at imitating in Germany the industrialization that had taken place elsewhere in Europe. This imitation was only moderately successful.
How did the German economy change after WW1?
Germany then went through a period of rapid industrial growth, culminating in the outbreak of the First World War. A big boost to the new economy was the five billion Francs paid to Germany was a result of the Seven Weeks War with France. This fee was equal to the amount taxed by Napoleon from Germany.
Why was the German industrial revolution so different from the British?
The initial situation for an industrial revolution was significantly worse in Germany than in the country of origin of industrialization, Great Britain. This included the lack of a single market, the large number of customs duties and currencies and the territorial fragmentation of the Holy Roman Empire, which had collapsed in 1806.
What caused Germany to industrialize?
After the extensive development of the railway network during the 1840s, rapid economic growth and modernisation sparked the process of industrialization. The largest economy in Europe by 1900, Germany had established a primary position in several key sectors, like the chemical industry and steel production.
When did Germany become industrialized?
Unification in 1871 accelerated the process of industrialisation and by 1900 Germany had the largest industrial economy in Europe.
What factors helped Germany industrialize faster than Great Britain?
Germany used its rich iron and coal resources to develop heavy industry, such as iron and steel manufacture....Role of Railways:Railways played a very important part in Germany's growth. ... Railways increase efficiency, because everything gets there faster, and the tempo of business speeds up.More items...•
Which was most significant in helping Germany become rapidly industrialized?
Railroad. which was most significant in helping Germany become rapidly industrialized? unification.
How did industrialization affect Germany?
Huge factories were built and turned out more goods at an ever faster pace. Industrialization progressed and the bourgeoisie gained ever more influence. Widespread railway construction also boosted the economy, making mass production and the efficient distribution of goods possible.
How did Germany become powerful?
German power rests primarily on the economy, healthcare, natural resources, education, and EU-NATO membership. However, it did not have a large military or land area that limited German power; these factors helped Germany become an important country today and a leader in most European countries.
How did Germany become so powerful before ww1?
They had always had a large army as well (It was in fact their main strength in most wars the Germans had taken part in), and the wealth and arms development that resulted from their industrial capacity expanded and strengthened that army, allowing better equipment and movement ability for those same troops (Though ...
How did Germany become an industrial leader during the 1800s?
How did Germany become an industrial giant in the late 1800s? They had great conditions for building industry: lots of natural resources, and a huge, dedicated work force. They also used scientific advances to help build industry.
How did Germany become an industrial leader during the 1800s?
How did Germany become an industrial giant in the late 1800s? They had great conditions for building industry: lots of natural resources, and a huge, dedicated work force. They also used scientific advances to help build industry.
What was Germany before 1871?
GermaniaBefore it was called Germany, it was called Germania. In the years A.D. 900 – 1806, Germany was part of the Holy Roman Empire. From 1949 to 1990, Germany was made up of two countries called the Federal Republic of Germany (inf. West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (inf.
What was Germany before 1949?
It was not until 1949, four years after the end of the war, that the three western zones formally joined together to form the Federal Republic of (West) Germany, and the Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). This policy paper examines the situation in the British zone, between 1945 and 1949.
What happened in Germany in the 1920s?
The 1920s were a difficult and unstable time for Germany. As well as having to come to terms with the Treaty of Versailles' punishments, it was a time of invasion, economic decline, putsches (rebellions) but also a huge growth in cultural freedoms and political rights.
What was the Industrial Revolution in Germany?
Industrialization in Germany was the phase of the breakthrough of industrialization in Germany, beginning at the time from around 1815 to 1835. This period was preceded by the periods of pre-industrialization and early industrialization. In general, the decades between the 1830s and 1873 are considered the phase of industrial take off. The Industrial Revolution was followed by the phase of high industrialization during the German Empire. The (catch-up) industrial revolution in Germany differed from that of the pioneering country of Great Britain in that the key industries became not the textile industry but coal production, steel production and railroad construction .
What was the central growth engine for industrialization in Germany?
The central growth engine for industrialization in Germany was railroad construction. The demand generated by the railroad boosted developments in the three closely interrelated key industries: mining, metal production and mechanical engineering.
How many people were employed in the guild crafts in 1800?
The putting-out system (proto-industry) had already emerged in some regions in the late Middle Ages and especially in the early modern period. For example, the land-poor classes in eastern Westphalia and other areas specialized in the cottage industry production of linen, which was bought up by merchants and marketed on the national market. It is estimated that as many as one million people were employed in this sector around 1800.
What were the trades in the Kingdom of Saxony?
In the Kingdom of Saxony, a highly differentiated trade existed, ranging from rural and urban crafts to cottage industries, manufactories, mining and, soon, the first factories.
Why was the Industrial Revolution concentrated in a few regional concentration zones?
Partly against the background of older traditions, partly because of favorable locations (e.g., on trade routes, rivers, canals, near raw material deposits or sales markets ) or for other reasons, the industrial revolution was concentrated in a few regional concentration zones.
What was the gap between Great Britain and Germany?
The gap to Great Britain was also evident in Germany's much larger agricultural sector. Moreover, no comparable "agricultural revolution" had yet taken place in this sector at the beginning of the 19th century.
How did emigration take place?
Emigration itself took on organized forms, first through emigration associations and increasingly through commercially oriented agents , who not infrequently worked with disreputable methods and defrauded their clientele. In some cases, especially in southwestern Germany and particularly in Baden, emigration was encouraged by governments as a means of alleviating the social crisis.
Who led the early industrialization of Germany?
In Germany, early industrialisation was led by Bismarck (one man focused) which was not the case with Britain.
Why was Germany so strong?
Germany was to become strong in the technical fields. The country possessed many people capable of making and using the technology and resources to their greatest capability. Population: As the country prospered, it became a desirable place to live, and so many people moved in from other countries.
How did the Zollverein help the German economy?
The Zollverein helped to reduce protectionist barriers among the German states, especially improving the transport of raw materials and finished goods , making it both easier to move goods across territorial borders and less costly to buy, transport, and sell raw materials. This was particularly important for the emerging industrial centers, most of which were located in the Rhineland, the Saar, and the Ruhr valleys.
What was the name of the Prussian customs union that was abolished in 1818?
Zollverein: Initially conceived by the Prussian Finance Minister Bulow, as a Prussian customs union in 1818, Zollverein or German Customs Union was finally organised by the 1833 Zollverein treaties.
What were Bismarck's contributions to the world?
Also these deterred migration of skilled Germans to other countries like the USA. Contribution of Bismarck: Firstly, he unified the country; secondly, he brought the economy into line; thirdly, he made sure it stayed that way and encouraged it; and fourthly, he prevented anything from hurting the economy badly.
How did Germany benefit from the settlement made with France?
Germany benefited greatly from the settlement made with France which awarded Germany with five billion Francs as result of the Seven Weeks War with France. The settlement also included the French territories of Alsace and Lorraine, these were rich in minerals and soil and so was a great thing for the German economy.
Why did Germany feel threatened by France?
German politicians, industrialists, and academics all felt a threat from France. This was because the feared a retaliation from the Seven Weeks War of 1866. Germany strove to make itself stronger, just in case of an attack. Role of Railways: Railways played a very important part in Germany’s growth.
What was the main industrialization in Upper Silesia?
Upper Silesia was a stronghold of early industrialisation, for the local aristocratic landowners had enough capital at their disposal for investments. The State of Prussia also became involved. In silver mines tests were made to lift water with the help of steam engines, coal mining expanded and at the end of the 18th century the first coke-driven blast furnace was built in Gleiwitz. Puddling processes were also imported from England. Coal mining was given a boost in the region around Aachen and in Saarland, both of which were under French rule at the time. By contrast the area around the River Ruhr remained idyllically rural. A single solitary ironworks in the town of Wetter emitted its smoke like a dark portent of the coming era.
What was the main cause of the Industrial Revolution?
The foundation of the German Customs Union was the trigger for the Industrial Revolution. When trade barriers between German states were abolished in 1834 this gave rise to an attractive market in goods. Demand for coal rose quickly and mining areas boomed. The villages in the Ruhrgebiet rapidly merged to become crowded towns and cities as new collieries and ironworks sprung up out of the ground - at the start with capital from the prospering economies of Belgium and Great Britain and also with thousands of foreign workers. Essen developed into a new industrial centre. The first deep mine was sunk to reach the rich supplies of coal beneath the surface there. The Krupp ironworks manufactured steel for the railways and an increasing number of cannons for the State. As such it was the germ cell for an gigantic empire. The Hoesch firm, later also one of the steel giants in the Ruhrgebiet, began producing railway lines in Eschweiler near Aachen. Ironworks in Neunkirchen und Burbach sprung up along the River Saar and in 1873 the Völklingen ironworks went into operation.
What was the first railway in Germany?
Their constructors enjoyed amazing success. The first railway line to go into operation was between Nuremberg and Fürth. Several years later firms in Munich and Berlin were building their own locomotives, soon began to overtake their British forerunners and went into the export business. Mechanical engineering was the third major pillar of the expanding economy alongside coal and steel. By the end of the 19th century German businesses had taken over a leading role in the modern areas of chemicals and electrical engineering.
Where was the first textile factory in Germany?
The first German textile factory was built in 1784 in Ratingen near Düsseldorf. It was called "Cromford" after its English model and was very much on its own in Germany.
Where did the Hoesch firm start?
The Hoesch firm, later also one of the steel giants in the Ruhrgebiet, began producing railway lines in Eschweiler near Aachen. Ironworks in Neunkirchen und Burbach sprung up along the River Saar and in 1873 the Völklingen ironworks went into operation.
What did Hitler want?
Hitler wanted land and food for Germans- and this meant somebody had to lose out. Jews, homosexuals, disabled persons, Poles, and Slavs sadly were the ones to lose out.
What is the relationship between the USSR and Germany?
The USSR and Germany maintain a tense but close relationship as Germany relies on Russian oil to survive.
What countries would Italy annex?
Italy would annex Yugoslavia and even Greece. With the UK and France out nobody would support the Balkan nations- leaving them for Italy. Also Italy may be given North Africa as part of the peace agreement with the UK.
What would happen if Japan didn't have US influence?
Without US influence Japan would remain much more traditional. Although larger in this different reality its citizens would be poorer as well.
What would happen if the US and Germany were rivals?
You could see a cold war, where the US and Germany square off as rivals. Or you could see the US ally with Germany and adopt fascism itself.
What would happen if Hitler had unlimited power?
With unlimited time and Power, there is nothing stopping Hitler for achieving his dream of a racially pure nation.
Which countries fall under the sway of Germany?
Nations in the Balkans and Greece, as well as Turkey, fall under the sway of Germany with no other powerful nations around to contest them.
Overview
The industrial revolution
The revolution of 1848/49 also roughly marks the dividing line between early industrialization and the Industrial Revolution. This also fits with a change from crisis-ridden self-confidence in the 1840s to a general mood of optimism in the following decade. From around this time, social production per inhabitant increased tenfold compared to the pre-industrial era.
Pre-, early- and proto-industrialization
The initial situation for an industrial revolution was significantly worse in Germany than in the country of origin of industrialization, Great Britain. This included the lack of a single market, the large number of customs duties and currencies and the territorial fragmentation of the Holy Roman Empire, which had collapsed in 1806. In terms of infrastructure, the empire was significantly less …
Economic fluctuations
In relation to the economy as a whole during this period, growth rates were not above average. The average increase in net national product per year was 2.36% between 1850 and 1857, rising to about 3.31% in the period from 1863 to 1871. A different picture emerges when the various sectors of the economy are examined separately. By far the greatest growth was in the industrial sector. This development was what was actually new. Within industry, consumer goods producti…
Social change
During the decades of the Industrial Revolution, not only the economy but also society underwent major changes. Just as older forms of trade and commerce came to stand side by side with modern industry in the economic sphere, older and newer ways of life, social groups and social problems also mingled.
The 19th century is considered the time of the breakthrough of bourgeois soci…
See also
• History of Germany
• Economic history of Germany
• Economy of Germany
Further reading
• Böhme, Helmut. An Introduction to the Social and Economic History of Germany: Politics and Economic Change in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries(1978)
• Brinkmann, Carl. "The Place of Germany in the Economic History of the Nineteenth Century". Economic History Review 4#2 (1933), pp 129–146. online.