What were the obstacles to the development of the industrial society in Germany?

Perhaps the main reason why Germany remained an agrarian country and could not develop along the path of industrialization was its fragmentation, as well as the constant rivalry between two large centers: Prussia and Austria – for the unification of Germany under its control. The main impetus for industrialization was the signing of the Customs Union, which initially united 18 separate German states, thanks to which many customs bans on the sale, import and export of goods were lifted.