How could a unified 'German' identity form earlier? I understand that this is tricky, but it wouldn't be a challenge if it wasn't. Is there a way for a German identity/nationalism to form without help from Napoleon? For this challenge the only restriction is that he PoD cannot be before the coronation of Otto I in 962.
This doesn't necessarily need to lead to a unified German state, although it probably would, but the only real requirement for this challenge is that a significant proportion of the German people see themselves as Germans rather than members of their respective countries.
One final note, TTL 'German' doesn't necessary have to include just OTL 'Germans'. Other Germanic peoples, such as the Danes or Dutch, can also consider themselves Germans if you can find a way to make them.
This doesn't necessarily need to lead to a unified German state, although it probably would, but the only real requirement for this challenge is that a significant proportion of the German people see themselves as Germans rather than members of their respective countries.
One final note, TTL 'German' doesn't necessary have to include just OTL 'Germans'. Other Germanic peoples, such as the Danes or Dutch, can also consider themselves Germans if you can find a way to make them.