The Unification of Germany Between 1863 and 1871

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The Unification of Germany Between 1863 and 1871

On the 18th January 1871, Wilhelm 1 was proclaimed Emperor of a united

Germany. The unification of Germany was, like all historical events,

multi- causal, the most influential reasons being the Bismark's

cynical and unscrupulous diplomacy, military superiority of Prussia

and economic power, and lastly, popular nationalist sentiment.

Bismark seems to be the most important factor of these. He was a

successful diplomat with strong anti liberal views. Even though

parliament refused to approve taxes for enlarging the Prussian army,

Bismark simply carried on collecting them, showing his willingness to

go to extreme measures to achieve his aims.

Between 1864 and 1871 Bismark engaged in three wars which brought

about the unification of Germany. Firstly, the Danish war of 1864.

This successful war for Bismark meant that he presented himself as the

champion of German interests. By the convention of Gastein in 1865,

Prussia took Schleswig and Austria took Holstein. This gave Bismark

the chance to pick a quarrel with Austria whenever he saw the need. It

has been argued that Bismark did not deliberately set out for war with

Denmark, but cleverly took advantage of the situation.

Bismark's next war was against Austria, seeming more planned. In 1866

he provoked war by proposing that the German confederation should be

dissolved and a new one set up excluding Austria. Lasting only seven

weeks, this proved a great success as it led to the setting up of the

new 'North German Confederation,' making the unification of Germany

easier as Prussia's main rival was excluded. The 'Peace of Prague'

Treaty...

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...only military strength could overcome

Austria's hostility, who wanted a divided Germany. Similarly, it was

likely that France would eventually try to prevent the emergence of a

greater power to its east. Therefore, the roles of Roon, Moltke and

the minister of war in building up the Prussian army, were crucial to

Bismark's success.

The economic development of Prussia also underlay its military power.

Prussia was already the most industrialised state in Germany before

Bismark came to power, and the zollverein allowed it to gain economic

supremacy over other German states. However, there was little popular

demand for unification amongst the German nation as a whole and the

majority of Germans were uninspired. However, the leaders of Prussia

decided it was time for unification and they had the power to achieve

this.

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