"Without Bismarck there would have been no German Unification".

Economic growth was a very important factor in the unification of Germany. The Zollverein was important for establishing Prussia's economic dominance. It was made up of most of the German states with the exception of Austria. Its aim was for the German states to work together economically. This linked the German states to Prussia long before political unity. The development of railways encouraged trading, which boosted Prussia's growing economy. As well as this the development of railways prevented Prussia from being isolated. Prussia also had the economic advantage of having great military strength. The railway system aided the victories of the Prussian wars that lead up to German Unification. Both the economic growths in the country as well as the strength of the Prussian army succeeded in winning the wars with Austria and France, which leaded to the unification. It was the awareness of Prussia's strength at this time that gave Bismarck the confidence in asserting claims in Austria and France.

The Liberals shared the same aim as the Prussian King at that time and that was for German Unification to be under Prussian leadership. The Liberals wanted great economic factors such as free trades. The Prussian King also wanted this, as it would enlarge his empire. Both the King and the Liberals agreed that the army should be expanded but they disagreed with how it should be run. In 1862 there was a constitutional crisis over how much money was being spent on the army. The Liberals were not happy with how their taxes were being spent, which meant Bismarck had to collect taxes illegally. In 1866 Bismarck passed a law on that whatever he did in the past that was illegal was now legal. Bismarck succeeded in unity a large part of Germany, which had been a long running Liberal ambition. Bismarck's popularity grew due as Prussia was gaining more control.

In 1859 leading liberals from Germany made an appeal for the formation of a party dedicated to German Unification. The Nationalverein was set up intending to do this. The Liberals looked towards Prussia in guidance to German Unification.  Membership was restricted to only the middle class, however, the party was able to put forward their ideas by links to other organisations. The party had ambition but restrictions. This political party proved that unification had public approval. Bismarck had the power and influence to change things.

Prussia benefited greatly from the weakness of the other German states. Austria's empire was weak. They did not have a strong military, had economic problems as they were still very much agriculturally based and had political difficulties as they did not have a strong government. Bismarck benefited greatly from Austria's downfall as it strengthened his own country.

Bismarck was a key figure for implementing the Unification of Germany. He was a naturally skilled leader and had clear aims and ideas of the actions Prussia should take to be in control of Germany. Bismarck was intelligent and cunning and was able to show off Prussia's strengths whilst at the same time focus on other countries weaknesses. He was also able to isolate Prussia's rival state Austria. It can not be said however, that German Unification wouldn't have gone ahead without him as most of the events were manipulated by him rather than created. It is possible that the German Unification could have happened without him.