The role of Prussian military strength in achieving a united Germany

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The role of Prussian military strength in achieving a united Germany

Causes

  • 1864, Prussia declares war on Denmark over the Schleswig-Holstein question, and Austria joins in as the 'junior partner'. This was due to Denmark taking Schleswig and Holstein into their jurisdiction, which had a significant German speaking minority. German nationalists took outrage, and looked to Prussia to help. Although Bismarck hated anything liberalist and was exceptionally conservative in outlook, he took advantage of the nationalist's anger.
  • 1866, Austria declares war on Prussia after Prussian troops move into Austria-controlled Holstein. This was due to Bismarck's opportunism, who allowed movements and diplomatically isolated Austria in advance of the war by agreeing an alliance with Italy. This also made it look as though Austria was the aggressor.
  • 1869, Queen Isabella of Spain abdicates, leaving the Spanish throne open to candidature.
  • 1870, King William I meets with the French Ambassador and agrees to withdraw the Hohenzollern candidature, however does not agree that there will be no further candidatures. William then sends a telegram to Bismarck from Bad setting out the agreement that had been made with the French government. Bismarck edits the telegram to make it appear as though William I had behaved rudely to the French Ambassador and publicised it.
  • 1870 - 1871 Franco-Prussian war

Effects

  • This indicated that Prussia was more powerful than Austria and proved that Prussia's military empire was expanding. It also rebalanced the power within Europe: the German states were a growing economic and military strength. It was also indicative that Bismarck was incredibly opportunistic. As well as this, the war occurred as a result of German nationalists, which proved that they were a growing force.
  • This answered the key obstacle to German unification and promised that a united Germany would exclude Austria, with Prussia ruling. The outcome of the war was the establishment of the North German Confederation in 1867 which was Prussian dominated and excluded Austria (the South German Confederation formed as a response to this). Bismarck also successfully negotiated with the South German Confederation that in any future war with France, all German states would provide military aid.
  • Leopold of the Hohenzollern family (Prussian) stands as a candidate to the throne. Bismarck bribes the Spanish government £50,000 to accept the candidature without telling king William I of Prussia.
  • King Napoleon III of France declares war on Prussia.
  • Due to Bismarck's negotiations Prussian troops and troops from the N.G.C and S.G.C took part in the war. Prussia used railways and planning effectively and France suffered a crushing defeat. On the 18th January 1871 German Empire was declared at Versailles and William I became Emperor of Germany.

Overall summary

Prussian military strength was one of the main reasons for German unification. Bismarck in particular played an opportunistic role which advanced Prussia's position and removed the object of deciding who should be included in a united Germany. Prussian military strength also led to the decline of Austria, who opposed a united Germany as it meant that Austria should lose it's power. The Franco-Prussian war removed the main international object to unification, France, who opposed a united Germany as they feared another large European power emerging along their borders.

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