How far was Bizmarck responsible for Prussian domination of Germany by 1866?

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History Essay- Luke Vaggers                                                                     14/10/02  

How far was Bizmarck responsible for Prussian domination of Germany by 1866?

In 1866 Prussia defeated Austria, which enabled Bizmarck to dissolve the German Confederation and exclude Austria from German affairs for good.  However there is a great historical debate over how much of a role Bizmarck actually played in the eventual Prussian domination of a united Germany.  There is no doubt that he played an important part but other factors must be considered for instance how important the years previous to 1862 when Bizmarck came to power were.  Whether he had a master plan all along and therefore very skilfully brought about unification or whether he was a great opportunist who simply took advantage of events as they happened will be discussed.

Undeniably he played a major role but he didn’t unify Germany single-handed on his entry to power he was given a great situation in which unification was possible.  W.E Moss once said “If Bismarck played his hand with great skill, it was good hand in the first” he was given these good cards in 1862 after years of political, military and nationalistic advancement he was able to take the final step and unify Germany.

The best card he received was the diplomatic situation in Europe in 1862 it was exceptionally favourable for unification.  There were previously two main obstacles to unification, the holy alliance between Austria and Russia and the hostility of the French and by 1862 both obstacles had been removed.  Austria had failed to help Russia in the Crimean War and Russia had fought against Austria in the war in North Italy and so there was no danger of Russia fighting for Austria against Prussia.  Also Napoleon III now in power in France dreamed of re-organising Europe with borders of nationalism and also had troops tied up in Mexico so it is most likely that France would not intervene in German Unification.  Professors of the Frankfurt parliament and William IV of Prussia did not have such a favourable diplomatic situation in 1848-51and so their failure to unify Germany in these years can be understood.  

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The Zollverein was another very strong card that Bizmarck was given in 1862 and the economic union of Germany from it.  Due to its success it not only put the idea of union being successful in peoples minds it also increased German confidence in Prussia to lead (as they did with the Zollverein) with benefits for the German people, it was also a focal point for National fever.  Although in 1866 when Prussia fought Austria, Prussia was opposed by every member of the Zollverein except those whose armies were already involved.  So the relationship that the Zollverein had with ...

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