Talk:Zollverein

When?
Starting date is missing. Extent and practice of the Zollverein are basic information for this entry. The Industrial Revolution link is a bit generic: does it shed any light on Zollverein? Wetman 17:07, 29 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Origins/Purpose
The purpose of Zollverein ought to be elaborated.

The once widely accepted belief that the Zollverein laid the foundation for German unification in 1871 is a somewhat misleading nationalist interpretation of history. The Zollverein was viewed among the Prussian ministers who established it, including Prussian Finance Minister Motz, as a means to political alliance--not national unity. In other words it would tie the economically strong south German states, particularly Bavaria, to Prussia and further isolate the Ausrian Empire.

To be sure, the customs union provoked discussion over the nature and meaning of the national question, but it is important between intentional and incidental effects.

The Zollverein was originall the Prussian Customs Union, not the german customs union although at this point in time Prussia was the closest thing to a "Germany" whilst it was considered a german state, it was still not Germany, read up on German Unification for more information. A Basis for Uninfication had been layed out before 1840 although that was political and not yet economical as the Zollverein was. Consider changing the bold from German Customs Union.

Cui bonum?
How and why were the various lesser German states persuaded to join the ZV? Obviously the ZV benefited Prussia, or at least Prussian trade. But how did it benefit the other states? Obviously they had to forego customs revenues, so at first consideration it was to their disadvantage. What did they receive in exchange? Just curious.

The benefit of not having to pay custom revenues on their own goods when sending it to other German states. Ixistant 20:41, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

Contiguity
Contrary to what the article says, East Prussia and Wast Prussia were contiguous at least from 1815 onwards. In 1815ff problems of non-contiguity arose in relation to Prussia's territory in the Rhineland. There were also some local problems in the Anhalt area and some other districts. Norvo 13:34, 8 June 2007 (UTC)

Neutrality
The sentence "Bismarck cannot be said to have revolutionized Prussian politics when the Zollverein had been working actively against Austria for about 30 years before he came along." seems to me like it'd be a breach of this policy. I don't see the point backed up by sources, either. Though I don't have altogether much experience in this, so anyone can feel free to delete this if my protest isn't valid or I'm protesting to the wrong thing. Georgery 06:04, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

expansion of this article
Beyond the neutrality issue, which I can deal with somewhat, this article needs major league expansion, because it simply does not cover the complexity of the Zollverein, or its importance for German 19th century history. I can translate some portions of the German article, and include some material from some recent historians, and I will try to deal with the neutrality controversy. --Auntieruth55 (talk) 17:39, 1 May 2009 (UTC)