Was the role of Bismarck essential to the process of German unification?

Authors Avatar
Name

Stephen Watt

Matric. No.

004159780

Course

CES 2B: History

Tutor

Alex Marshall

Title

Was the role of Bismarck essential to the process of German unification?

Word count

904 words

Was the role of Bismarck essential to the process of German unification?

Otto Von Bismarck was Prussian Chancellor after 1862 and he is the person given most credit for the achievement of a unified Germany in 1871. His contribution is most definitely immense but it would be too simplistic to regard him as the only factor in the equation. His influence was most obvious during the period of 1862 to 1870 but consideration must be given to the years before 1862, as it was during the period of 1848 to 1860 that German nationalism began to gather momentum. This was pushed along by the growth in industrialisation and liberalism pushing for greater economic freedom for trade which would occur under a united Germany.

In March 1848 representatives from 6 States including Prussia issued a declaration for a single German parliament this was by the establishment of a vorparlament or pre-parliament. This assembly was to draw up a conclusion for a unified state. The aim of the assembly was to establish a united German State with a constitutional monarchy.1

After the revolution of 1848 the German people began to take an interest into the political life of the nation. The revolution had led to an increase in public opinion favourable to unification.

Although early attempts to unify Germany had failed they had proved that Austria would not support any movement towards German unification as this would compromise its own security and be contrary to the interests of the Austrian Empire.

The economic power of Prussia made it the natural Leader of a united Germany. Railways made Berlin a centre of communication between east and west. The growth of banking and machine manufacture made it a nucleus for industry and finance as well.

The greatest economic factor of unification was the Zollverein. The Zollverein was a voluntary customs union among the German states. This stopped the restrictions to trade caused by the customs duties imposed by the thirty-nine states. Austria decided not to participate in the Zollverein this left her isolated. However the Prussians were head of the Zollverein and this further improved her likeliness of becoming leader of a united Germany.

"As a result Prussia, despite her reactionary political sympathies came to be regarded by many as the natural leader of a united Germany."2
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Willhelm I was appointed Regent in 1858 he was influenced by liberal ideas. Willhelm believed in the unification of Germany with Prussia as leader. At the same time Italy had become a united nation. This stimulated liberals and nationals in Germany. In 1859 a 'nationalverein' or German National Union was formed. The group's main aim was the formation of a central government for the whole of Germany.

Willhelm had enjoyed a military career although he had become disillusioned with the state of the Prussian army, which had failed to keep pace with the increase in the size ...

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