The new educated middle class elites brought about this sort of change.

               They brought about this change through the following:

               • The formation of a zollverein —a Customs Union at the initiative of Prussia— which was later joined by many of the German states.

               • Their union abolished the tariff barriers and reduced the number of currencies to two from over thirty 

               • The creation of railways further stimulated mobility, thus harnessing Economic interests for national unification. ( Extra point in case the question is 'how did the educated middle class strengthen wider nationalist sentiments growing in Europe' for 3 marks )