铁路与十九世纪德国统一:基于国家利用技术的视角

Railway and the Unification of Germany in the 19th Century:in the Perspective of State Utilizing Technology

德国早期的铁路是在英国的影响下发展起来的,主要由私营公司建设,对德国统一没有产生直接影响。在德意志诸邦中,普鲁士主动加强了对铁路的管制,最终使铁路融入普鲁士政治军事体制。在德国统一战争中,普鲁士铁路体制发挥了重要的作用,成为赢得战争的关键环节。尽管铁路能够影响地缘政治,但其潜力只有通过国家的主动利用才会充分展现。

The early railroads of Germany were developed under the impact of Britain, and mainly constructed by private companies. The railroads had no direct influence on the unification of Germany. Among the states of Germany, Prussia took the initiative to tighten regulations on railroads and eventually made railroads integrated into Prussian political and military system. In the process of Unification War of Germany, the Prussian railway system played an important role and functioned as the linchpin of Prussian victory. Railroads has the potential of influencing geopolitics, but the potential can be realized only through the positive actions of the state.