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What Factors led to the unification of Germany in 1871?
focused on the empire and navy leaving a small army to defend Britain in Europe. But this was the opposite for France under the rule of Napoleon III who led the ‘war of liberation’ in north Italy. But in 1870 Bismarck played France into his hand with diplomacy with the situation in Spain having no monarchy Prussia put a candidate forward. This Upset France who feared being surrounded by enemy’s and demanded that they withdraw. That they did but the mistake Napoleon III made was that he demanded Prussia never put forward someone. This upset Prussia and became a threat in the end France declared war on Prussia this made the southern states think that Prussia was the innocent country and France the aggressor.
Conclusion
In view I believe that Bismarck did have a plan to unite the Northern German states from the very beginning but also he had plans to attack Austria 1st chance he had like Bismarck said when the army has been brought to a state to such as to command respect then I shall take the opportunity to declare war with Austria burst the German confederation bring the middle and smaller states and give Germany a national union under Prussia’ .Styles and framer backs this up by Stating that Bismarck said ‘one should always have two irons in a fire’ this backs up what I said about him having more then one plan at a time. Also I believe he took full advantage of the situation in Europe at the time with such events took places like the polish revolt he probably would never of had a chance to form an a alliance with Russia. Also with Napoleon III on the French throne if he wasn’t there would be a good chance France might not have undermined the Austrian power in the south with the War of liberation or gone to war with Prussia over Spain A.J.P Taylor backs my statement up By stating ‘that he was a opportunist cleverly exploits other mistakes’. Finally forcing the southern states to join Prussia to create Germany