Extended Essay: Bismarck and The Unification of Germany

Extended Essay To what extend does Otto Von Bismarck deserve his reputation as the man who united Germany? On the 18th of January, 1871, Bismarck proclaimed the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. Germany had been unified be Prussia, under its prime minister Otto von Bismarck. The unification involved three wars and, it has been claimed, was not created by a desire for nationalism but a struggle to determine Prussian dominance within the German states. Up until World War II, it was widely accepted that Bismarck alone was responsible for unification. However, modern historians agree that Bismarck did not begin unification from nothing and have identified other factors influencing unification and the spread of nationalist ideas from 1815. These historians argue that if it weren't for factors such as the Zollverien, cultural and political nationalism and the Strength of Prussia and decline of Austria, Bismarck would not have been nearly as successful. Before Bismarck burst onto the political scene in 1862, it is clear to see that the foundations for unification were already laid, this is shown in the economic strength of Prussia prior to 1871. The Zollverien was and important factor as it brought many German states together economically and excluded Austria.

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Was the War Measures act necessary for the October Crisis

Was the War Measures Act necessary for the October Crisis? Tony Millar Ms.Shimins Words: 1,252 CHC-2DW There were many events leading to the October crisis, some may say that the decisions taken by the Front de Liberation du Quebec (FLQ) were rational, others not. But any hostage situation when lives are being threatened should be stopped by any means necessary. The War Measures act requested by Premier of Quebec Robert Bourassa, directed by Pierre Trudeau and applied by the Governor General of Canada Roland Michener was a very necessary step to take due to the previous acts of terrorism and threats by the FLQ, prior to October 1970. The October Crisis occurred in October 1970, when two government officials were kidnapped by the FLQ in the province of Quebec. The first kidnapping occurred on October 5th. The victim was British Trade Commissioner James Richard Cross, who was taken shortly after he was leaving work on his way to his car. The second kidnapping was shortly after, on October 10th, when the FLQ kidnapped the Minister of Labour and Vice Premier of Quebec Pierre Laporte, while he was playing football with his nephew. This kidnapping occurred after a meeting with Laporte discussing the threats of the FLQ; after he denied the demands he was quickly taken. The group that took him were the Chenier Cell, a division of the FLQ who were responsible for this and

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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How important were the events at Mnster 1534-5 in causing the failure of the Radical Reformation ?

How important were the events at Münster 1534-5 in causing the failure of the Radical Reformation? Münster played a big role in causing the failure of the Radical Reformation but was not the sole reason. Münster was an example of how a town could be overridden by a few people who preached what the authorities wanted to hear. It was the actions of the few involved that truly set off the destruction of the Radical Reformation. It was, however, not the only reason as the Radical Reformation and the Anabaptists were doomed from the start. It was in the very essence of Anabaptism that caused them to be persecuted and things were only made worse with their belief in 'nachfolge' (salvation through suffering). There were so many different groups that the only reason they were called the 'Anabaptists' was that they all loosely believed in adult baptism, with the rest of their beliefs varying. Also, they seemed so much of a threat that the Catholics and Protestants thought that they should band together to fight them off. Yes, the Anabaptists never had a chance. So what happened at Münster? Well, in 1531 the Catholic Bishop had been run out of the town by Lutheran preachers who began to start reforming the town. Then in January 1534 Anabaptist missionaries visited and baptised many of the Lutheran Town Council. By February an Anabaptist council had been elected and when

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To what extent was warfare between Britain and France the main contributory factor in French political instability 1689 - 1789?

To what extent was warfare between Britain and France the main contributory factor in French political instability 1689 - 1789? On the 17th of June, 1789, the Estates-General was brought to an end by the majority of the Third Estate, outraged that their larger numbers counted for nothing, left to form the National Assembly which signalled the beginning of the French Revolution. What ensued was 10 years of political turmoil, war and mass killings, the result being a reformed nation using a more liberal system that many nations use today. There are many causes to the rise against the monarchy, many reasons the country plunged into chaos for a decade but how many of them were influenced by war between France and her greatest enemy, Britain? What effect did the period of wars known as the "Second Hundred Years War" have on France? France were the major power in Europe after the Franco-Dutch war in 1678, having gained several territories, Louis XIV was the most powerful monarch in Europe. However, this wasn't to last for long as Louis's desire for aggressive expansion, would eventually begin to cause France's downfall. The other leading nations in Europe had grown weary of Louis XIV's desire to expand, thus forming the Grand Alliance which consisted of the majority of Europe's powers bar France, with the goal of forcing France back to her borders as they were when Louis XIV took

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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"The Venetian Empire was Essentially a Commercial Enterprise. Like all Good Businesses it Survived and Prospered by Changing With the Times." In What Ways and How Successfully did Venice Change With the Times During the Three Centuries After 1200?

J.C. Douglas-Hughes "The Venetian Empire was Essentially a Commercial Enterprise. Like all Good Businesses it Survived and Prospered by Changing With the Times." In What Ways and How Successfully did Venice Change With the Times During the Three Centuries After 1200? Before 1400 Venice was ruled by trade. Her naval superiority allowed her the opportunity not only to protect her trade routes but also to disrupt her enemies'. It was due to this supremacy that Venice was commissioned to provide a fleet for transport for the 4th crusade. Venetian naval dominance arose after the battle of Ascolon, from this the Venetians were able to gain an overwhelming amount of riches. The sea supremacy enabled the Venetians to plunder merchant ships. Venice had also been granted certain trading privileges by the Greek or Byzantine Empire who had given these in return for the Venetian support against the Normans. However when a new Emperor took over in Byzantine, he failed to renew the Venetian trading privileges. This caused the Venetian fleet to carry out raids on Greek islands, which eventually persuaded the new Emperor to renew the privileges. These privileges were from then consistently renewed by the successors of the Venetian Empire due to the Doge Ziani's skill in negotiating. The third crusade was manipulated by the Venetians to their advantage. Although they did not

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Themistocle

Jacob Rogers-Martin Senior Project Paper 1/24/08 Themistocles The Persian War was a watershed moment in the Athenian subconscious. The victory of Greek beliefs of democracy and freedom over the far more dominant forces of tyranny and subjugation, fixed a dignified and god-given purpose in the Greek mindset. This period of history became known as the Greek "Golden Age," an age that engendered several cultural movements that became the cornerstones of Western civilization. Themistocles was a key figure in the dawning of the Golden Age. After being appointed the archon in 493 BC, Themistocles convinced the Athenians that naval expansion would be more beneficial in their defense system than ground attack. This decision aided in their defeat of Xerxes's Persians at the battle of Salamis, and was a catalyst leading to the Greek "Golden Age." Themistocles was born in a village named Phrearrhioi on the costal area of Attica. It was stated in Plutarch's, Life of Themistocles that he was "of a vehement and impetuous nature, of a quick apprehension, and a strong and aspiring bent for action and great affairs." (Plutarch)Themistocles' master often told him, "You, my boy, will be nothing small, but great one way or other, for good or else for bad." (Larsen, pg. 82) This prophecy was not fulfilled until Themistocles and Aristides (the just) entered office in 493 BC to fill the

  • Word count: 1006
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Why People Went On Crusade

Why did so many people go on Crusade? Jerusalem had been under Muslim rule since the 7th century, but pilgrimages were not cut off until the 11th century, when the Seljuk Turks began to interfere with Christian pilgrims. For Christians, the very name of Jerusalem evoked visions of the end of time and of the heavenly city. To help rescue the Holy Land fulfilled the ideal of the Christian knight. Papal encouragement, the hope of eternal merit, and the offer of indulgences motivated thousands to enrol in the cause1. Undoubtedly political considerations were also important. For many the Crusades were a response to appeals for help from the Byzantine Empire, threatened by the advance of the Seljuk Turks. The year 1071 had seen both the captures of Jerusalem and the decisive defeat of the Byzantine army at Miniskirt, created fear of further Turkish victories amongst those in the West. In addition, the hopes of the Papacy for the renunciation of East and West, the nobility's hunger for land at a time of crop failures, population pressure in the West, and an alternative to warfare at home were major impulses. However, the Church did not 'con' the warriors into going on crusade. The warriors were already convinced that God approved of their fighting, and that their warrior skills were more valuable to God than the clergy's praying. The warriors took up the concept of the

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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War and Peace in the Middle East

War and Peace in the Middle East 'Chapter 1-2' Page 3. . What was the main aim of the Zionists? The main aim of the Zionists was to find a Jewish national home. 2. Study source D carefully. For many years after this letter was published many Jews regarded the Balfour Declaration as a promise from the British government to help set us a Jewish state. a. Does it read like a promise? Yes it does. b. If so, a promise to do what? The Balfour Declaration was a promise to the Zionists, where they would make Palestine the national home for the Jewish people. c. What does this document say about the non-Jews in Palestine? Why? It says that Palestine becoming the national home for the Jewish people, and the immigration of the Jews will not affect or harm the 'civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine...' This is to appease the non-Jews of having to share land with the Jewish. Page 5. . Read source B. a. Who is the 'oppressive tyrant'? The Turkish. b. How does the writer think the Arabs should achieve their independence? The writer thinks that the Arabs should achieve their independence by staying united and to revolt against the oppressive tyrant. c. What evidence is there to suggest that the writer does not wish to see several independent Arab nations emerge? Evidence to suggest that the writer doesn't wish to see several

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Cavour's role in strengthening Piedmont

Explain how Cavour strengthened Piedmont between his coming to power and 1859? Cavour during the 1850's had a large role to play within Piedmont itself, due to the failed revolutionary period prior to the 1850's, there where many reforms that he implemented and aspects of attitudes that he influenced. In the policy that Cavour implemented there where specific aims that he placed on Piedmont and Italy, this was his Domestic Policy and the aims that where established where, the restriction of church power, Reducing the radical threat of revolution, the stabilisation of politics and also to develop Piedmont's strength economically. The restriction of the church was established through the Catholic church being the recognised church in Piedmont. In 1850 the Siccardi laws where introduced, these laws controlled the power of the church, these laws where different to most because they where passed without consultation with the church. The Siccardi laws where not set up by Cavour but rather he expressed a large amount of support towards the laws. The reasoning being of the anti-clerical views that the Siccardi laws represented, in that if the church has less influential power it paved the way for political power and influence to grow and have more impact, therefore benefiting him. The Statuto was the ruling of which Piedmont was now under, article 5 under this ruling stated that

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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To what extent was england subordinate to Williams concerns in Normandy?

To what extent was England subordinate to Williams concerns in Normandy? To answer the question whether England was subordinate to Williams's concerns in Normandy we need to look at the events that were occurring in England and in Normandy around the years of 1075. Between the years of 1074-1075 William King of England lived in Normandy. By 1069 William had conquered the north and south of England and built many castles. Chester was the last township to fall in 1070.This was a period of unhappiness and unrest. Saxon England was constantly on the verge of rebellion, which was a constant concern for William throughout his reign. In 1075 a group of Norman knights and one surviving Saxon leader, Waltheof revolted and fought a battle but lost. Waltherof was a Saxon Earl half trusted by William the Conqueror. William made further efforts to win his loyalty by marrying him to his niece Judith and giving him the earldom of Northumbria in 1072. Waltherof joined the revolt of the Norman earls in 1075 and was once again defeated much like the revolt of 1069. The revolt of the Earls was the last major resistance of Williams control throughout the Norman Conquest. It was caused by Williams's refusal to sanction the marriage between Emma and Ralph de Guader in 1075. This was due to William had been living in Normandy betwenn 1074 1075.The revolt In William's absence, Ralph, his new

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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