To What Extent Was Bismarck Responsible For The Unification Of Germany In1871

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 To What Extent Was Bismarck Responsible For The Unification Of Germany In

1871

German unification in 1871 was due to numerous factors, most notably of which was Otto Von Bismarck. Bismarck was a political genius who’s revolutionary ‘Realpolitik’ was one of the main reason for Prussia leading the way in German unification. However, many argue that despite Bismarck’s political skill German unification would not have been achieved if it were not for many other factors like incompetence and naiveté on the part of other nations in Europe.

When Bismarck was recalled from Paris to become Chancellor of Prussia in 1862, German Nationalism was already more than 40 years old. The stain of Napoleon’s conquests that had been left on Germany’s reputation undoubtedly sparked off a love for German history and culture from a time when the country was united and strong. Support for cultural nationalism in Germany  (where people started looking at Germany ‘s past with pride) increased after 1815.  Speeches, folk-tales, poetry and art from or about when Germany was united became popular. After 1815 writers, thinkers and the university students who were influenced by them were seen as the main threat of nationalism. The set up of the Burschenshaften student’s movement by Freiedrich Jahn’s (who believed strongly in a united Germany) aimed at taking students away from traditional student societies which were involved in pastimes such as drinking and pursuing women. The Burschenshaften students’ movement instead tried to develop an interest of politics and nationalism in them. The students of these movements developed into Liberal Nationalists who believed in freedom of speech, press and to form political party’s the authorities were very threatened by the students. In 1817, 500 students met together at Wartburg Castle to celibate the fourth anniversary of Napoleons defeat. After the formal celebrations had finished some of the students started to burn anti-nationalist books that were opposed to their views in protest. The authority’s were very alarmed by this and acted strongly.

Arguably one of the most important factors in the unification of Germany in1871 was the creation of the Zollverein. The Zollverein, which was created by Prussia in 1818, was a union that encouraged trade between the German states. The union encouraged trade by reducing customs duties among its members. The Zollverein luckily coincided with the building of Prussia’s first railways, coupled with the already laid new roads and the linking of key rivers like the Rhine also helped the German economy to develop a lot faster. The creation of the union was so vital to the Prussian economy because the trade of materials between states allowed the industrial revolution to take place within Germany. Initially the Zollverein only consisted of northern states as the southern states were under the control of two other unions. However both unions collapsed and by 1834 the majority of the southern states had joined the Zollverein. The union was important in aiding unification for a number of reasons. Firstly, the union encourage the states to build relations with one and other, which is the first step towards unification. However, more significantly from Prussia’s point of view the success of the Zollverein made many people look towards them as the obvious leaders of a united Germany. The reason for Prussia setting up the Zollverein and for other states joining it was to build up their trade and wealth however the breaking down of trading barriers brought about closer link and was a large step in the beginning of German unification.  By the 1840’s there was great pressure from businessmen for a united Germany. Even with the improved unification of customs trade and progress the synchronisation of weights and measurements and of different systems of commercial law there was still the belief that until there was a United Germany, German felt they could not compete on equal terms with Britain. Dissatisfied industrial workers who also wanted to change the way they were ruled echoed this same call.  The fact that Bismarck does not enter the equation till 1847 demonstrates how factors other than those created by him did play a major part in German unification.

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Bismarck was a Prussian Aristocrat with strong right wing and royalist views.  He  inherited his love of king, army and country from his family. Bismarck believed that Germany should be united under Prussia leadership and that Austria should have nothing to do with Germany. In 1847 Bismarck was appointed to the Bund as a replacement for one of the delegates who was sick. However Bismarck’s confrontational style of politics, or ‘Realpolitik’ as it became known, was seen as too much for the Prussian government when he suggested that Prussia should attack Austria while she was at war with France ...

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