Blood and Iron - The Main Factors in the Unification of Germany

1722 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Factors which led to the unification of Germany

Blood and Iron - The Main Factors in the Unification of Germany

The unification of Germany was not just a matter of the signing a

document stating that the many states had become one country. There

were problems such as varying languages, currencies, and ethnic

minorities to name a few. In the end however one country, Germany was

the states as one but how was it unified? 'Coal and iron' refers to

economic ties unifying Germany and 'blood and iron' refers to the

unification of Germany through force. The role of Bismarck in the

unification of Germany was also a key factor however, if he was to be

put in one category for having unified Germany 'coal and iron' or

'blood and iron' he would be put into the latter. There were attempted

unifications through 'coal and iron' however for various reasons to be

discussed it did not occur. Bismarck realised that economy was not

going to unify Germany so he used force to achieve this, 'my task is

to keep and eye on the currents and steer my ship in them as best I

can'

Trade was a big problem between the states and would need to be sorted

out if they were to unify. The currency of the states was the same

however its value varied between the borders. Between the states trade

was restricted due to internal tariffs and customs barriers. Trading

with other states was inconvenient and expensive. The Rhineland

manufacturers complained about the burden on home industry. There was

no duty charged on foreign imports so the Rhineland, a rich industrial

area did not trade as well with neighbouring states as the foreign

imports were cheaper and just as good. As a result, the Prussian

Customs Union was fo...

... middle of paper ...

...d from the North German Confederation.

By this evidence it can be seen that 'blood and iron' was the main

factor which unified Germany. It is hard to conclude however that it

was only military force. Without economic unity the states might never

have united behind Prussia and just seen her as a tyrant, not a

leader. The weapons for war with Austria would not have been available

and it also created a great sense of nationalism within the states,

permitting success in war. Through war Bismarck was able to unite

Germany politically under Prussia as well. War with Austria was

necessary as Bismarck needed to show that she was weak and should not

be supported, so unity under Prussia would be achieved. Solely 'coal

and iron' did not succeed in unification but with the help of Bismarck

and 'blood and iron' this was possible.

Show More
Related

  • Stephen Kern's Wireless World

    565 Words  | 2 Pages

    used by the boat was essential for communication and the safety of its passengers. The Titanic,

    Read More

  • The Break Out of the Revolution in Germany in 1848

    995 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Break Out of the Revolution in Germany in 1848 There were a numerous external and internal factors behind the 1848 revolutions in Germany. Externally, changes in the international climate and political upheaval in Austria provided German nationalists with an avenue of opportunity to cease power. Internally, the growth of German nationalism and liberalism coupled with the acute financial and food crisis of 1847 created an atmosphere fit for revolutionary activity. Between 1815 and 1847, the Great powers reduced the importance of nationalism and liberalism in order to maintain the ideals set about at the Treaty of Vienna of peace, order and stability within the balance of power. The Great powers installed Austria as the ‘reactionary henchman’ of Europe.

    Read More

  • The Left and Right at the Birth of Weimar Germany

    545 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Left and Right at the Birth of Weimar Germany From the general chaos and unrest that followed the Kiel Mutiny in late 1918, the centre-left emerged to lead Germany into a new era of democracy. Philipp Scheidemann, a key figure in the moderate SDP, declared a Democratic Socialist Republic from a balcony in Berlin on 9th November 1918. However, the whole of Germany was not behind him, since simultaneously, and from a different Berlin balcony, Karl Liebknecht, leader of the communist Spartacists (KPD), declared a Soviet Republic.

    Read More

  • Why Did Germany Caused World War I?

    340 Words  | 1 Pages

    Although Fischer’s thesis was widely accepted, there were people who argued against it. Most Germans had accepted the fact that Germany had caused World War II, but they disagreed with the blame Germany took for World War I. World War I was widely regarded as a war forced upon Germany by its encircling enemies. Critics argue that Fischer’s thesis placed Germany outside the real historical context. It is argued that Germany was not the only aggressive a European nation in the early 20th century, as it was a time when Social Darwinism views of struggle were well-known in Europe's ruling classes. Critics also oppose that in the centuries following Columbus's voyages to America, the Western European countries had already acquired vast overseas colonial

    Read More

  • Reasons for the Problems of The Weimar Republic in 1918 - 1923

    1473 Words  | 3 Pages

    loans in 1920 would easily be able to pay these off now - leaving them

    Read More

  • The Impact of Viking Contact on Western Europe

    402 Words  | 1 Pages

    To navigate during the night and day they looked out for well-known landmarks such as mountains. They could also follow the sun and stars or watch out for birds that were found at different times and places of the year. Navigators were needed in the time of Vikings as they were the key to successful voyages. Without them Vikings would have never been able to sail across Western Europe and leave an impact that would actually make way into our history. Therefore their would of not been any impact to live on today. One example was when the Viking found their way into the Mediterranean Sea and raided the coasts of Spain but of course with the help of navigation. In addition to navigation, religion also did impact.

    Read More

  • Black Power Influence in West Germany

    1681 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the 1960’s-1970’s, violence increasingly became an important factor in the Student movement for liberation in West Germany. Different levels of oppression were applied to various countries around the world, including Vietnam which was oppressed by the U.S. Student activists shadowed the different movements, and slowly incorporated the various methods into their own movement in West Germany. Indeed, Student activists fought for their liberation through a combination of international methods, however, the fuel for their violent actions mainly came from the Black Power Movement in the U.S which was motivated by Frantz Fanon’s ideas on decolonization. During the 1960s-70s, West German activists began to view that the elite higher class exploitation of the youth who went against societal norms in West Germany was very similar to the discrimination towards the Black population of America due to their skin color. Because of the newfound similarities, the two groups decided to exchange ideas on gaining liberation. The student activists and the African-Americans involved in the movement engaged in personal exchanges by traveling to each other’s countries and observing the corruption on their own, while studying tactics of fighting back. Indeed, Rudi Deutschke, the face of the SDS himself, made a trip to America and visited the slums of New York and Chicago to witness accounts of oppression with his own eyes. Through their observation of the Black Power Movement in America, as well as their interactions with members of the movement, many West German activists (SDS) increasingly supported the idea that a violent approach was the only way to seek liberation. The Black Power movement also motivated Left Wing terrorists, such as Bommi Baum...

    Read More

  • Germany after World War II Part 1

    1079 Words  | 3 Pages

    Germany experienced a lot of economic changes after Germany was split into East Germany and West Germany. Initially, West Germany was established as a federal republic but was established as it’s own independent nation in 1955. Many events happened in West Germany from the 1950s to the 1980s before Germany became one nation again. There were events such as “oils price shocks, generous social programs, rising deficits and loss of control.” East Germany’s economy was strong due to the Soviet Union’s reliance on Eastern Germany’s production of machine tools, chemicals and electronics. It became appealing to reunite with West Germany when the value of East Germany’s currency became “worthless” outside of it’s country because Eastern Germany was relying on the Soviet Union’s demand (Marketline).

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of No Gumption By Russell Baker

    462 Words  | 1 Pages

    “A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” A wise quote from John A. Shedd. A boat is secure inside the harbor, but it is useless. Inside a harbor, a boat can’t traverse oceans, set wars in motion, or discover new lands. Figuratively, we, the people, are the ships, and our safe haven is our comfort zone. Without reaching out of your comfort zone, you can’t conquer your world. You can’t make a difference. You need take a risk. Leave your safe haven and explore.

    Read More

  • German Unification Dbq

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 19th century Italian states united to make Italy while the Germanic states united and made Germany. For Italy there were three people who had a major role in unifying Italy. They were Mazzini, Garibaldi and Cavour. For Germany it was more like one person who united the German states to make Germany and that was Bismarck. On the other hand there was a strong Austrian empire that would not tolerate any nationalist feelings to rise anywhere in Europe.

    Read More

  • Ethics Of Belief Analysis

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ship out to sea – had doubts but sent it out anyways (avoided error). James belief would react differently following the method of knowing the truth- which could have drove to the decision of either (passionate about either the welfare of the passengers or the destination of the cargo) depending on ones individual ethic. Despite the doubts of the boats safety- ship owner muted the ideas with past events of successful trips-on insufficient evidence. The authority of the mechanic over the authority of communal rumors.

    Read More

  • Matthew Henson

    976 Words  | 2 Pages

    the ship such as: mathematics, navigation, the operations of a ship, and how to read

    Read More

  • The Reasons of the German Reunification

    1282 Words  | 3 Pages

    The division of Germany into West Germany and East Germany emerged as a stopgap solution for the woeful state of the nation following its defeat in the Second World War. With the United States (US) ultimately gaining full control over West Germany, East Germany increasingly became alienated towards it, as it went under the influence of the Soviet Union (USSR). West Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), rapidly grew into one of the most politically and economically influential nations in Europe representing the democratic interests of the US in the region, while East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR), went seemingly the other way. East Germans became increasingly disillusioned by the way their politicians have promoted communism in the GDR, characterized by oppressive measures and sheer inequality in living standards. The Stasi, the secret police unit of the GDR, closely monitored East Germans and purged those who are suspected or proven dissidents, while politicians of the nation enjoyed living standards that are way superior compared to the average East German. West Germans, on the other hand, enjoyed the benefits of political and economic reforms brought forth by the democratic influence of the US. Therefore, discontentment among East Germans increased the prospect of unification of the FRG and GDR – an issue that was never written off in consideration, only further complicated by political differences. Nevertheless, eventual unification of the FRG and GDR following the symbolic collapse of the Berlin Wall did not completely result to favorable circumstances, as problems that continued to alienate matters between the Western and Eastern sections of Germany remain unresolved (Brockman ...

    Read More

  • Compare and Contrast the Unification of Germany, Italy, and the United States

    2340 Words  | 5 Pages

    Compare and Contrast the Unification of Germany, Italy, and the United States. From the 1790s to 1814 French troops successively conquered and occupied the area that later constituted the German Empire. French domination helped to modernize and consolidate Germany and -- toward the end -- sparked the first upsurge of German nationalism. In different ways, the French emperor Napoleon I helped German unification.

    Read More

  • Factors Contributing to German Unification in 1871

    3039 Words  | 7 Pages

    Prior to unification in 1871 the territory that would become Germany was comprised of thirty-nine independent states and city states joined together in a loose German Confederation. The most powerful among these states was Prussia, both geographically the largest state and that with the largest population. The influential politicians and policies that came out of Prussia were instrumental in the gradual formation of a united Germany. Beginning with the rise of Napoleon, the nineteenth century was a time of incredible change which dramatically altered the political balance of Europe. In order to understand the factors that culminated in official German unification on January 18 1871, it is necessary to examine the preceding decades. No single factor can be credited for the unification of the German states. Rather, the combined forces of social change, economic strength within a unified customs union, the moral justifications provided by nationalism, Bismarck’s careful manipulation of internal politics and the advantages gained through military action resulted in the unification of Germany.

    Read More

More about Blood and Iron - The Main Factors in the Unification of Germany

Open Document