... This seemed a good idea at the time, as Austria was prospering in the early 1810's and 1820's. Metternich was a reactionary leader and this led to the demise of the state, as progress couldn't be made due to changes not being made. This was made worse by the fact that there was no competent replacement after Metternich left as Chancellor, and this led to a weak leadership without the knowledge or expertise to take Austria back to the power it once was. Their economical positions didn't help the fact they were a declining power. Their exclusion of the Prussian run Zollverein, in 1834, was a huge kick in the teeth and this led to their trade being blocked. The Zollverein allowed all German states (except Austria) to trade freely with each other without taxes and tariffs. This prospered trade between the states, but as Austria were excluded, they suffered ...

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