ABSTRACT

The history of Germany shows clearly that her fragmentation into small states not only seriously threatened her external independence but often militated against her inner unity and freedom. The lament over the inner disruption and atrophy of Germany’s best powers had often been voiced in the days of the old Reich, and even more strongly during Napoleon’s rule. On 28 January 1814 the Allies laid down that Germany should consist of a confederation of independent princes. Stein there-upon proposed the founding of a German Bund with a directory and a federal assembly. At Britain’s instance, Switzerland and the Netherlands were to be invited to form a permanent alliance with the Bund. Liberal tradition ascribes the shortcomings of the Bund to the narrow dynastic selfishness of the powers assembled at the Congress of Vienna. A large section of German liberals was widely read in political matters and had also studied British and French politics.