2. Catholic v Protestant
German states had once
shared the Catholic religion
but this changed after the
Reformation.
Germany became divided
between Catholic and
Protestant.

3. North v South
The religious divide split the
German states:
• Northern states tended to
be Protestant (and support
Prussia)
• Southern states tended to
be Catholic (and support
Austria)

4. Main obstacle? Yes
Religion is one of the features
that many assign to a nation
(along with language, race, etc).
Religious divisions could help
to keep states separate as
undermined the idea of a
German nationality/race.

5. Main obstacle? No
Although 30 Years War had
religious focus, much less
religious division since.
Prussia and Austria were
rivals because of power –
religious differences were
incidental rather than a cause.