Was the coronation of the Kaiser in 1871 mainly a military or mainly a diplomatic achievement?

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Was the coronation of the Kaiser in 1871 mainly a military or mainly a diplomatic achievement?

        King William I, King of Prussia was proclaimed Kaiser. This had been accomplished largely through political maneuvering with the aid of a military drive to enforce diplomatic terms. This drive had originated mainly from the German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, who played a key role in the coronation of the Kaiser. From his early political dominance, Bismarck built and unified Germany through wars in order to create a stronghold for his ideal king.

        Bismarck’s political career began in 1847, elected to the Prussian United Diet marked his entry into public life. He got involved in counter-revolutionary plots, during the March days of the Berlin riots, 1848, he was a member of the right-wing Junker Party and was excessively anti-liberal, quoting:

                ‘ Only two things matter for Prussia, to avoid and alliance with democracy and to secure equality with Austria.’

 Bismarck showed great political capability and was then awarded the title of Prussian ambassador in Austria, until 1859. His anti-Austrian policies and nationalistic ideology grew, creating a division between him and his Prussian counter parts. By the 1860’s Bismarck already had a reputation for being a tough, able politician, ambitious and ruthless, and because of this Bismarck could afford to seek agreements through diplomatic terms. It could be argued that the main reason for the coronation of the Kaiser is solely on Bismarck’s aim, this was to create a united Germany under Prussian control, as proven when Bismarck allegedly spoke to Disraeli, a future British Prime Minister, 1862;

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‘As soon as the army shall have been brought into such a condition to command respect, then I will take the first opportunity to declare war with Austria, to burst asunder the German Confederation, bring the middle and smaller states into subjection and give Germany a national union under the leadership of Prussia.’

There was always a main and vital part of Bismarck’s plans, and that was Prussian domination. He initially wanted Prussian domination of north Germany rather than full national unity. He was essentially a Prussian patriot rather than a German nationalist, his loyalty was to the ...

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