How did the Industrial Revolution help German Unification? Give examples

What introduced unification was Zollverein (German custom union) which eliminated customs among German states (principalities). Prussia was the most important actor whereas Austria was eliminated from Zollverein because of its highly protectionist attitude (Prince and Austrian kanzler von Metternich who defined Austrian policy till 1848 was against). Zollverein treaties were negotiated already in 1830s. Another factor was increasing importance (military and political) of Prussia that desired unification of Germany (at that time nonexistent). First significant Zollverein led to foundation of North German Confederation (1867) which was able to make economic agreements with its northern neighbours (Sweden and Norway). This was a political and economic context of German industrial revolution.

Explanation: Prussia did not have any significant rival among German states. Austria was already in decadence. When Metternich left Austrian court Austria was increasingly falling behind. Moreover Austria as a multinational state had a great disadvantage of growing nationalism.

on this day in 1939, in response to hitler’s invasion of poland, britain and france, both allies of the overrun nation declare war on germany.

the first casualty of that declaration was not german—but the british ocean liner athenia, which was sunk by a german u-30 submarine that had assumed the liner was armed and belligerent. there were more than 1,100 passengers on board, 112 of whom lost their lives. of those, 28 were americans, but president roosevelt was unfazed by the tragedy, declaring that no one was to “thoughtlessly or falsely talk of america sending its armies to european fields.” the united states would remain neutral.

as for britain’s response, it was initially no more than the dropping of anti-nazi propaganda leaflets—13 tons of them—over germany. they would begin bombing german ships on september 4, suffering significant losses. they were also working under orders not to harm german civilians. the german military, of course, had no such restrictions. france would begin an offensive against germany’s western border two weeks later. their effort was weakened by a narrow 90-mile window leading to the german front, enclosed by the borders of luxembourg and belgium—both neutral countries. the germans mined the passage, stalling the french offensive.

c. troops marched forward in close formation against newer, more accurate weapons