Abstract
Prior to the establishment of the Second German Empire in 1871, concepts of Mitteleuropa resulted primarily from Austro-Prussian tensions. In the struggle for leadership of the German nation and the future German nation-state, Mitteleuropa was an instrument of national power. Whoever controlled the states of Mitteleuropa could also claim leadership of a future Germany. Compared with Prussia, Austria had the advantage, since the Danube monarchy controlled much of Central Europe. At the same time, Prussia was fast becoming the centre of gravity for German industry.
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© 1996 Jörg Brechtefeld
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Brechtefeld, J. (1996). The Intellectual and Political Precursors of ‘Mitteleuropa’ before the Second German Empire. In: Mitteleuropa and German Politics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230374768_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230374768_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-39691-7
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-37476-8
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)