Economic factors also played a major part in the process of unification. The Zollverein system was initially set up (under Prussia’s rule) as a means of lowering the taxes on exports and imports from within the German states. This not only brought the states closer to unification but also established economic links as well as transport and communication ties between the states. This made the unification process easier in 1871 as Germany was already united economically and via transport.
Since Prussia was in control of the Zollverein, industrial expansion after 1815 occurred largely in Prussian territory. With its growing economic strength, together with its leadership of the Zollverein, there was a shift in the balance of power within Germany in
favour of Prussia. The wealth generated by industrial expansion made it possible for the State to maintain and, supply and equip a large army with which to fight three wars that led to the unification of Germany in 1871. However, France and Austria were also notably expanding economically therefore economic strength alone does not explain the victories of Prussia’s armies in those wars.
This suggests that there was in fact something distinct about the Prussian army, as the wars of 1864, 1866 and 1870-1 all resulted in decisive victories. The victories were not due to the Prussian army out numbering the French forces or the Danish army but organisation and planning. The Prussian Chief of Staff, Von Moltke, made a major contribution to Prussia’s military victories through the preparation and planning which he had instigated since the early 1860s.
The technological gap between the Prussian army and its adversaries also played a part in the victories. On particular importance in this context was the quality of the weaponry deployed by the respective armies. Prussia had introduced the breech-loading Dreyse gun in 1843 when other armies were still using the musket. They also used artillery with rifled barrels, which had far larger range and accuracy. In the war against the Austrians they had three times the firepower leading to a stunning victory at Konniggratz, near Sodowa. However, the Prussians were not trained properly in their uses and so failed to exploit their advantage to full.
According to most Historians and German people Bismarck is said to be the most notable factor in creating the Second Reich. It would be impossible to tell the story of German unification without giving Bismarck’s role due prominence but it is also important to note that Bismarck worked within political, social, economical and diplomatic context which he neither created or had any mastery over. His success was due to a culmination of factors, not just his own genius and political skills.
In 1862 Bismarck took control of the Prussian foreign policy, his first steps into power did not distinguish him from his predecessors. His policies of challenging Austria and trying to establish friendlier relations with Russia were far from successful. His clumsy intervention in the Polish revolt in an attempt to cultivate Russia’s friendship only served to antagonise the Russians. The strained relations between Prussia and Austria further deteriorated when Bismarck refused to reform the German confederation.
The Schleswig-Holstein incident brought the relations between the two states to a crisis point. Bismarck felt that it was better for Holstein to be under Danish rule rather than an independent state under the influence of Austria. Many Germans disagreed but Bismarck was unmoved by the popular sentiment and demonstration’s, as Prussian-self interest was the basis for his policy.
The war of 1866, with Austria left the Prussian Empire stronger than ever, in hindsight it seems that the war was in fact planned step by step by Bismarck and he was successful in this policy.
The new balance of power in Europe made the French vary and this led to diplomatic tensions. War with France was the final step on the road to German unification. Bismarck exploited the tensions between the two powers to arouse national feeling in Germany and to persuade the southern states to accept closer military co-operation with Prussia.
To conclude all of the above elements are important in their own ways, all of which are inter-linked to create the conditions of 1871 for the states of Germany to unite under the leadership of Prussia. The weaknesses of the other states of Germany and the unconcern of the rest of Europe also played an important role.
However, the economic and military strength of Prussia was the most significant reason for German unification and without Prussia’s strength a German state could not have been achieved.
