The Role of Bismarck in Bringing About the Unification of Germany

The Role of Bismarck in Bringing About the Unification of Germany

Bismarck certainly played an important part in the unification of the

German states. His intentions are shown in his ?iron and blood?

speech, where he set out his aims to protect the king and to unify the

German states by isolating Austria. However, many historians argue

that Bismarck?s plan relied on luck, and that events unravelled

greatly in his favour. Even Bismarck later admitted in his memoirs ?

?I was like a man wandering in a forest. I knew roughly where I was

going but I didn?t know exactly where I would come out of the wood?.

There where also other, arguably more important factors that

contributed to unification. Cultural and economic nationalism had

already established itself, and had brought Germany closer to

unification through passion for the country and potential economic

gain. Therefore, Bismarck?s role in German unification has been

overstated.

By the time Bismarck had been made minister president in 1862,

nationalism in the German states had been around for almost half a

century. The French revolution left many Germans disappointed after

Napoleon failed to deliver the promises of ?liberty, property,

security and resistance to oppression? set out by the Declaration of

the Rights of Man. His ?France before all? policy was resented across

Europe and, although Napoleon changed the structure of the German

states for the better by reducing the number of them from over four

hundred to just thirty nine, the German people realised that the

French revolution was far different in theory than in practise, and

the German states were again stuck in a regime th...

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...driving force behind unification. Some historians argue that Bismarck

single handedly unified Germany, and that he had a master-plan from

the moment he was made minister-president, while others think that he

was in the right place to take credit for unification at the right

time. However, the opinions of most historians lie somewhere between

the two extremes. There is no doubting that Bismarck was an

outstanding opportunist who took full advantage of the situations that

arose, but as historian W. Carr says ? ?If he played his hand with

great skill, it was a good one in the first place.? At best, Bismarck

sped up the process of unification. The economic situation and the

growth of cultural nationalism were already moving Germany toward a

unified state, and Germany would have unified without the intervention

of Bismarck.