Bismarck certainly played a key role is securing a united Germany. Machiavelli stated that it is primarily the character or vitality or skill of the individual leader that determines the success of any state. Bismarck is an example of one of these leaders. His unwavering character basically caused everyone to succumb to his every want and this allowed him control. It is evident that without Bismarck’s diplomacy and determination, German unification would have occurred differently. By 1851 Bismarck's conservative ideas changed due to his awareness of the weakness of a divided Germany. His favour was towards a united Germany, however without Prussia losing its tradition and power. What he wanted was different to what the liberals wanted from the 1848 revolution; “a free union under a Prussian king stripped of his autocratic powers.” In reality, Bismarck’s actions then, determined the future of his cherished Prussia.
As Minister-President, and with the destiny of Prussia in his hands, he believed that he was carrying out God’s will by expanding Prussia. In reality, Bismarck was the facilitator of the unification. The German’s wanted a united Germany, which was not achieved by peaceful means in 1848 by the liberals. Bismarck didn’t believe in “speeches and majority decisions” to answer the “great questions of the day”, but “blood and iron” to do so. This phrase he stated to the Parliament was unquestionably prophetic. It was by this phrase “blood and iron” that events mirrored in the following years. He was determined to make Prussia stronger politically, economically and militarily than any possible enemy. This strength acquired by The Zollverein, reorganising the Prussian army, driving liberals from their official position, and collecting taxes to fund the army forms would achieve Bismarck’s dream of a united Germany under Prussian control.
Bismarck’s Wars against Denmark, Austria and France, were three main steps towards the Great Prussia and Germany that he dreamed of and a giant leap towards a united Germany. 1864; Bismarck secures an alliance with Austria, to assist Prussia in warfare against Denmark. The success of this war brought Schleswig and Holstein out of the Danish Kingdom, and into the leadership dispute between Austria and Prussia. Bismarck had no means in allowing the Prince of Augustenburg to gain control of the “Duchies” despite Austrian support. He wanted Schleswig and Holstein to be made into a separate and independent state, so he could later on annex both Schleswig and Holstein to Prussia. Geographically, there was a fear in Prussia. Sandwiched between France and Russia, Bismarck had to secure either neutrality or an alliance so he could battle with Austria for Prussian leadership in Germany as well as acquiring the duchies for Prussia; He never took no for an answer. Effectively, France’s neutrality, Russia’s friendship and Italy’s alliance allowed him to determine the fate of the Duchies, and become one step closer to a united Germany.
The future leadership of the Duchies was to be achieved by waging war against Austria. Bismarck knew that Austria was not a militarily strong state. This provided an Prussian advantage to easily defeat and expel Austria from any sort of German leadership. Bismarck was able to annex Holstein, Hanover, Nassau, Hesse-Cassel and Frankfurt which would form part of the North German Confederation. Without this war, these states would not have been united together in the North German Confederation under Prussian leadership. Similar to the Austrian-Prussian war, the war he willed for with France to complete the unification of Germany. France was threatened by the new power of a united Germany and Napoleon, hoping to secure his throne by “successes in foreign policy” attempted to by Luxemburg from the Netherlands. If he hadn’t used the Ems Telegram to start a war with France, the process of unification might not have been completed. This Franco-Prussian War is a clear example of Bismarck’s diplomatic brilliance; He had prepared well for this war, securing the “requisite political conditions”. With Russia bribed not to interfere, Italy an ally, Britain – isolated, and Austria having just made peace with Germany, France was isolated from any help. This allowed Bismarck to send his troops in to defeat France and further secure the unification of Germany.
Political Unification was destined to occur in Germany with or without the Zollverein, but the question was when and how?. The introduction of the Zollverein laid down a base and provided a path towards unification and it brought the German people and their cultural threads together. It was immensely important in economic development, and secured a Prussian dominance economically over Austria. Bismarck’s diplomacy also played a significant role towards unification. His determination and character were assets in accomplishing his goals. If his true Junker sense of service towards the Prussian state was not present, Prussia would not have been as strong militarily nor economically. And without his determination to challenge Austria for military supremacy in Germany he would not have seen his giant step toward German unity. In many ways Bismarck’s role as facilitator assured the eventual triumph.
Bibliography:
Bartlett, C.J. 1996. Peace, War and the European Powers, 1814 – 1914. 1st Edition. Macmillan Press Ltd.
Newton, Douglas. 1990. Germany 1918 – 1945 From days of Hope to Years of Horror. 1st Edition. Harper Collins Publishers.
Richards, Denis. 1977. An Illustrated History of Modern Europe 1789 – 1984. Seventh Edition. Longman Group Ltd.
Stiles, Andrina. 1986. The Unification of Germany 1815 – 90. 1st Edition. Hodder & Stoughton.
http://www.utm.edu/research/icp/m/machiace.htm#The%20Prince
Richards, Denis. An Illustrated History of Modern Europe 1789-1984. Page 140
Stiles, Andrina. The Unification of Germany 1815-1890. Page 52
Richards, Denis. An Illustrated History of Modern Europe 1789-1984. Page 152
Richards, Denis. An Illustrated History of Modern Europe 1789-1984. Page 154
