Zollverein

The Zollverein was a customs union established in 1834 among German states to standardize tariffs and eliminate trade barriers, fostering economic cooperation. Its goal was to promote free trade within the German territories while maintaining external tariffs against other countries. By doing so, it facilitated easier movement of goods, reduced costs, and encouraged economic growth, laying the groundwork for political unity among the German states. The Zollverein was a significant step toward the eventual unification of Germany in 1871.