Free Sample Essays > European History
What Factors led to the unification of Germany in 1871?
What Factors led to the unification of Germany in 1871?
The debate About “Blood and iron” & “coal and iron”.
Explain Bismarck’s involvement in the above the debate and the role of economic growth.
What role did nationalism play?
The unification of smaller German states was very important to the eventual Unification in 1871. The main factor for the unification of smaller states was the Napoleonic wars that led collapse of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806 and the confederation of the Rhine set up by napoleon from 200 small states became 39 larger but still individual states. With the eventual defeat of Napoleon I in 1815. By the British and allied nations (that include some of the states Germany). Led to a strong sense of nationalism throughout the smaller states of Germany. With the congress of Vienna founding the German confederation led to the very first steps to a unified Germany.
The main pushing force behind a unified Germany was the liberals and middles class who were strongly behind nationalism. Witch led to the mass movements for a unified Germany. A good point this makes because it is well known that Bismarck was an anti liberal conservative Junker and who wanted the power to stay with the monarchy and Prussia’s dominances over the northern German states.
A Very important event witch backs up the statement “coal and iron”. After the defeat of Napoleon and at the congress of Vienna gave Prussia (a country with few natural resources) the rich lands next to the Rhine rich like the saar mines with coal and iron making them the richest country in central Europe in natural resources. From 1815 to 1848 the Prussia economy grew steadily then in 1850’s and 60’s she saw her first industrial revolution witch led to mass industry thanks to people like Heydt. Who saw increased railway track from 3869km to 7169km in the 60’s to 11,523km in the 70’s. Also the saar mines increased from 700,00 to 2.2 million in the 60’ the steal industrial increased greatly thanks to the greatest chemical industry in the world at the time. Another factor was the banks growth giving people the chance to save money.
A big importance for the economy was such people like Stein and Hardedburge who abolished selfdom witch led to revile industry that help to create a faster growing economy that led to the military expansion and growth that Bismarck refers to has how he will gain power and unification in Germany through ‘blood and iron’ referring to the wars he was planning.
A big factor in the unification over the smaller states was the creation of the Zollverein by Prussia in 1834. To create free trade between the German states excluding Austria the main rivals in the German confederation to a unified Germany under Prussian rule. The Zollverein gave the chance for the smaller states to following the footsteps of Prussia whose industrial powers was a threat. The Zollverein led the states to favour Prussia over [next page]