19th-century German literature was marked by significant movements such as Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism. Writers like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller explored themes of individualism, nature, and emotion, while later authors like Theodor Fontane focused on social issues and everyday life. This period also saw the rise of influential poets and novelists, including Heinrich Heine and Thomas Mann. The literature often reflected the political and cultural changes in Germany, including the impact of the Industrial Revolution and the unification of Germany in 1871, shaping a rich literary landscape that continues to be studied today.