1833 - 1834

Creation of the Zollverein, customs union between German States

This customs union, particularly advocated by the German economist Friedrich List, included most of the states in the German Confederation, largely dominated at the time by Prussia. It promoted free trade throughout the Germanic area and fostered the strong growth of German industry (in particular in the rail sector) and trade. This union did not include Austria, which later contributed to exacerbating the Austro-​​Prussian rivalry for the domination of Central Europe.