The Congress of Vienna also set up the German Confederation, a union of 39 independent states. An assembly called the Bundestag was established. Members of the Bundestag were appointed by the rulers of the states. Austria appointed the president.

Except for four self-governing cities, the German states were ruled by kings or princes. Each state had its own laws, collected its own taxes, and was responsible for its own defense. Several states had constitutions and parliaments, but even in these states the people had little voice in their government. Although the king of Prussia had promised to grant a constitution during the war against Napoleon, he did not keep his word.

During the early 1800's, the German population was growing faster than the economy. Some regions prospered, but most areas were still poor. Cities were small, and most people still lived by farming. In the 1840's, popular discontent increased. Business and professional people wanted more opportunities for political involvement. Farmers and craftworkers suffered from poor harvests and economic depression.