The unification of Germany was delayed due to a number of
obstacles by 1860. However, within less than 10 years (between 1864-1870), the
unification of Germany witnessed rapid successes and was finally completed in
1871. Prussia and Bismarck were the most influential in bringing about the
unification of Germany in this period. They were able to achieve what had been
impossible before I860 due to favourable factors within and outside Prussia.
I. The downfall of Metternich in 1848 and the weakness of his
successors greatly favoured the unification of Germany. Metternich was the
greatest hindrance to German unification and his downfall in 1848 gave Prussia
and Bismarck the chance to mobilise the Germans almost freely. This was because
his successors i.e. Schwazenburg (1848-1852) and later Count Boul (from 1852)
proved to be less repressive and intelligent like Metternich himself Had
Metternich maintained his seat as Austria's Chancellor and Foreign Minister in
Vienna, it is possible that Bismarck or Prussia could have found it extremely
difficult to succeed the way they did from 1864-1870.
2. The re-organized and strong Prussian economy of the 1860's
greatly helped to address the problem of economic backwardness that had
hindered the unification. Bismarck had constructed roads, railways and embarked
on agricultural and industrial development. This gave Prussian an economic lead
in the German states to the extent that the Germans turned to Prussia rather
than Austria for textiles, iron, chemicals, wheat and trade. It should be
stressed that Prussia’s technological advancement gave her modernized Weapons
against Denmark in 1864,Austria in 1866 and France in 1870-71.
3. The unification of Germany was also favoured by Prussia’s
military reforms of the I860's. The Prussian army was raised from about 500.000
to 750.000 soldiers under effective commands of Von Roon and Von Moltek. They
were strong, loyal and armed to the teeth and that is why Bismarck proudly
stated that, Germany has its eyes not on Prussian liberalism but on its might,
the great questions of the day shall not be decided by mere speeches and
resolutions
William I replaced Fredrick William IV as a regent in 1858 and
became the King in 1861. In contrast to Fredrick, William I was liberal and
anti-Austrian domination in German affairs. He favoured modernizing the
Prussian economy and the army. He is the one who expanded the Prussian army
from 500.000 to 750.000 and appointed Von roon and Field Marshall Von Moltek to
lead them. It is even William I who recalled and appointed Bismarck as the
Minister President in 1862 thereby giving Bismarck the position and opportunity
to create a united Germany by 1871. Otherwise, if it was not due to the change
of leadership, Bismarck who had been "discarded" from Prussia by Fredrick
William IV would not have been recalled and the unification of Germany would
not have been what it became by 1871.
5. The role of Bismarck was of great favour to the unification
of Germany. He diplomatically and aggressively addressed the obstacles that had
hindered the unification of Germany. He strengthened Prussia politically,
economically and militarily, which made her able to lead the rest of the German
states in the unification. It was through Bismarck's policy of blood and iron
that Prussia became successful against Denmark in 1864, Austria in 1866 and
France by 1871. It is yet another tribute to Bismarck that he skillfully
schemed and planned for the three wars. This, he achieved by diplomatically
isolating German enemies, tricks and propaganda. All these explain why some
historians have argued that the unification of Germany would not have been
achieved without the role of Bismarck.
6. The military weakness and strategic mistakes of Prussia's
enemies i.e. Denmark, Austria and France greatly favoured the unification of
Germany. Denmark made a diplomatic blunder when she violated the 1852 London
treaty and annexed Schleswig. This single act isolated her from the big powers
and made it easier for Bismarck to defeat her in 1864. Besides, Denmark was
also militarily very weak compared to the reformed Prussian army of the 1860's.
Austria had a heterogeneous empire, which was giving her enough political
headache (problems). Militarily, she was weakened-and exhausted by the constant
revolutions from 1820's to 1848. Most importantly, Austria was frustrated and
exhausted by the battles of Magenta and Salfarino of 1859. Similarly, France
was exhausted by the Mexican adventure of the 1860's.
Besides, France's Napoleon HI was not politically shrewd and
that is why he was duped and isolated by Bismarck. This explains why Prussia
became successful over France in 1871. Thus, the political, economic, military
and strategic mistakes of anti-unification opponents were a great boost to the
course of German unification.
7. The collapse of the Congress System was a blessing in
disguise for the unification of Germany. It's downfall by 1830 left Europe
without a concerted effort / spirit of togetherness to suppress movements like
the unification of Germany. The fact that the unification of Germany was a
violation of the Vienna
Settlement meant the Congress Powers were bound to suppress it
if the system existed up to the 1860's.
8. Although the Vienna Settlement suffocated the unification of
Germany, it accidentally facilitated the struggle. The Settlement created the
German Confederation with a single Parliament at Frankfurt. Much as this was to
promote Austrian interest, it nevertheless brought the Germans together as one
people and strengthened the quest for unification. It is from this Parliament
that the unification ideas spread to the rest of the Germans.
9. The role of the Zollverein movement was also influential in
the unification of Germany. It was an economic union that was started by
Prussia and covered the rest of the German states by 1860. This brought
economic corporation amongst the German states which developed into political
corporation in the name of unification in 1871. The fact that it was started by
Prussia showed that she had the necessary drive and initiative to lead the rest
of the German states into unification. This is why it was easier for Prussia to
rally the other German states behind her in the unification process by 1870.
10. The role of Napoleon I was yet another inspiring factor in
the unification of Germany. He conquered the German states and reduced their
number from over 300 to 39 states. This became known as the German
confederation of the Rhine, which reminded the Germans that their glories and
achievements of the past could still be revived. This strengthened the spirit
of unity amongst the Confederated 39 states.
Napoleon also abolished feudalism, which paved way for economic
and eventual political union of the German states by 1871.
11. The unification of Germany was also favoured by the role of
foreign powers in the 1860's. Austria assisted Prussia in the liberation of
Schleswig from Denmark in 1864. The Italian unification struggle weakened
Austrian troops to the advantage of Prussia. They also helped the Prussian
troops against Austria in 1866. This led to the liberation of Holstein and the
unification of the northern German states with Prussia in 1867. Although
Bismarck secured the neutrality of powers like Britain, France and Russia,
still their co-operation and goodwill was commendable and made Prussia to
successfully triumph over her enemies.
12. The work of German scholars was also significant in the
unification of Germany. They politicized the Germans and made them aware of
their identity as a superior race, Hegel wrote "The Concept of the state
and the historic role of the Teutonic race"; Steuben founded Monumental
Germanieau for the study of German history. By recapitulating on the Germans'
past glory, the scholars made the Germans "a proud people",
strengthened their spirit of resistance against oppressive and exploitative
influence by foreign powers. This partly explains why it was easy to mobilize
the Germans against foreign powers in the unification.
13. Although the 1848 revolutions failed to give Germany her
unity, it nevertheless became a turning point that favoured the unification. It
clearly exposed the real obstacles and enemies in the path of the unification.
Bismarck learnt these bitter lessons, worked on them and successfully
accomplished the unification of Germany by 1871.
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