Related AS and A Level Modern European History, 1789-1945 essays

1. 

   To what extent was Bismarck responsible for German unification?

   This naturally leads to the question, was Bismarck a product of German society, or was German society a product of Bismarck? To some extent, one can clearly argue that German society is a product of Bismarck, for clearly it would not have existed in such great unity if it were not for Bismarck.

2. 

   How significant was Bismarck in securing the unification of Germany 1862-71?Bismarck's significance in securing ...

   to lead the south German states to war which ultimately resulted in unification. The fact that he sided with Austria against nationalism in the Schleswig-Holstein affair suggests that if nationalism hindered his desire for his type and timing of unification then he would have no hesitation in crushing it.

1. 

   Why did Prussia rather than Austria lead the unification of Germany?

   This permitted it to sign a trade agreement with France in 1862 giving Prussia direct access to the west European trade area enjoyed by both France and Britain.18 Furthermore and tellingly, Prussia also used this predominance to prevent Austria from joining the Zollverein itself, although initially Austria preferred to remain aloof.

2. 

   Hitlers Germany

   Only the Fuehrer kept all the threads in his hand and saw the whole design. If ever a man exercised absolute power it was Adolf Hitler. He had a particular and inveterate distrust of experts. He refused to be impressed by the complexity of problems, insisting until it became monotonous

1. 

   To what extent was the political unification of Germany due to:- (a) The growth ...

   In 1834, Prussia, under the leadership of the Junkers (The Prussian landed aristocracy), began a German customs union, Zollverein, in order to make trade and business between German states easier. Before Zollverein, goods passing from one small German state to another required a duty payment, which made it practically impossible

2. 

   “How significant was Bismarck in securing the unification of Germany 1862 – 1871?”

   Here "vague promises were made to the French"(iv) of territory in the Rhine if they remained neutral in the event of a Prussian war against Austria. The alliance with Italy also indicated Bismarck was awaiting war. These diplomatic initiatives by Bismarck suggest a level of planning far beyond merely taking advantage of situations as they arose, and indicate

1. 

   "To What Extent Can Bismarck Claim The Credit For German Unification".

   Prominent German businessmen idolised both the economic and political strength of Britain and believed that their disunity was only an obstacle in becoming as powerful as Britain, but once unified could catch up with and even compete with Britain and other great European powers.

2. 

   Discuss Hitler’s eventual gaining of Lebensraum. Was it merely opportunistic or astutely ...

   Analysing Talyor's argument, two points are presented which illustrate and support the oppurtunistic argument firmly. One of Mr Taylor's strong factors in denouncing a blue print or 'programme' for German expansion, is a discussion between Hitler and his senior advisors and commanders in on the 5th of November 1937.