Originally Posted by Skybird

Not really, that is too shallow an argument. The German identity started to set in already roughly one thousand years ago. Its a bit more tricky than just going back to 1848/49 (I assume you refer to the Frankfurt Parliament), or 1871 (founding of the German empire). Or 1648, the end of the 30-years war and Germany being a collection of German states.

You need to go back as far as to Heinrich I. (9th century) to find the era in which the German identity started to form up as a characterising trait uniting many groups. The initiliasing event was his successful campaign against the ongoing raids and attacks by predatory Hungarians.

Others will trace back the birthday of "German-ness" even further, back to the time of the Roman empire.

What it comes down to? Identity is more than just a passport or nationality.