This was because the new middle class that had emerged in the 'German states', from industrialisation, wanted political representation, and felt that it could only be achieved in a united Germany. The Congress of Vienna wanted to make sure that no country could take over Europe in the way that France did in the early 1800s, it aimed to do this by allocating more land to Prussia and creating a 'barrier' that would block any attempts of French expansion and also war from Russia in the east. The German Confederation divided Germany into thirty-nine states, as Napoleon did during the French occupation. A reduction in the number of German states may seem like a move towards nationalism and in turn unification, however it was in fact a direct move against it, as can be seen in the second amendment of the confederation. This is known as 'particularism', the principle of leaving each state in a federation free to govern itself and promote its own interests.
Bismarck and German Unification Extended Essay How important was Prussian military strength in bringing about the unification of Germany by 1871? During the French wars (1792-1815) Napoleon dominated Germany and he replaced the Holy Roman Land for the Confederation of the Rhine, were the 400 states became 39. This caused a surge in nationalism in the German states and they united to defeat Napoleon in 1815. This was the first time there was unity between the German states which a surge in nationalism and a desire for unification and with the help of other factors Germany eventually became one country.. Certainly the strength of the Prussian military was key to the unification of Germany as it was vital in winning the three wars of unification, but it shall be argued that the military were as strong as they were due to other more important actors such as Economics and Bismarck.
How important were the German princes in creating the atmosphere within which Lutheranism was successful? The German princes were essential for creating the atmosphere in which Lutheranism was successful between 1521 and 1555 because they maintained Luther’s teachings, making it a reality. Also they obtained military authority over Charles V who at this time, was a new, inexperienced emperor and also had major influence over Charles power due to the fact they were the ones who elected him. This proved useful at the Diet of Worms in 1521 when instead of Luther being issued full excommunication, instead he was offered a full hearing and this was all down to princely support. By 1531 the Schmalkaldic League was set up as a united defence alliance by protestant princes in response to Charles’s threat of eradicating Lutheranism.
John (Jack) O’Connell American C. II P. Galgano 08/15/12 U.S. entry and efforts in WW1 When World War 1 erupted in 1914. Woodrow Wilson announced on August 4th, 1914 that the U.S. would stay out of the controversy and remain a neutral role in World War 1. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of the Austria-Hungary Empire by Serbia ignited the domino affects that lead the U.S. into WW1. The Austria-Hungary Empire had the Triple Alliance with Germany and Italy. Germany at the time was the most powerful single country in Europe, but it’s weak allies required Germany’s support on their various fronts.
Germany responded only with the destruction of the steamer Sussex in March. At this point, Wilson threatened to end all diplomatic relations with Germany, an act that would surely bring the United States into war against Germany. To prevent this–the German Emperor knew he could not defeat the combined strength of the Entente powers and the United States–Germany agreed to respect certain shipping lines. War had been averted, but only for a
Assess how vital Bismarck is to the process of German Unification Intro and historians shifting views: In January 1871 King Wilhelm became the first German Kaiser of the new German empire. The creation of the empire was one of the most important developments of the nineteenth century. However, the process by which Germany came to be unified has been an area of heated historical debate ever since. Historians always have argued that German was not unified by the push for the nationalist ideology lead by the “bloody and iron” chancellor Otto Von Bismarck. In order to shift attention away from the liberal pressure to reform and modernizing Prussia, Bismarck was able to keep modernization forces at bay by pushing for a united Germany.
[2] The loss in the First World War left Germany’s confidence running low. This Coupled with the limiting and demeaning restrictions of the Versailles Treaty which included handing back of territorys and billions of dollars to pay back in war reparations. Germany seemed anxious to prove to themselves and their European counterparts that they were a nation of worth. With Bismarck’s forming the nation-state with “Blut und Eisen”–“blood and iron” which put emphasis on the military, and left them unchecked by parliament. This gave a militaristic approach to German government that lasted through the fall of the Weimar Republic and into the rise of National Socialism in Germany.
As well, the only way that the Wilson plan would have survived the political intrigue of the Europeans was either through a league that had real teeth, or a super power willing to intervene as a worldwide police officer. Neither of which existed in 1918. Clemenceau’s views represented the average sentiment of the European Allies after the war. In the closing days of the war, a war weary European population must have tried to make sense of the carnage, of the loss. Clemenceau casts a pale light on the German population, blaming the war on the aims of “the intolerable German Aristocracy.” (Clemenceau, p. 73) The entire argument for the French and nay, European view, was the perceived threat that Europeans felt of German arrogance.
Second, Bismarck developed good relationships with numerous powers so that they would assist Prussia and help Bismarck to isolate its enemies. For example, Bismarck made an alliance, and the benefit was shown in 1870 when Italy refused to help France in the Franco-Prussian War. Thirdly, in the Schleswig-Holstein Affair, Bismarck pretended to be friendly with Austria and just get the two duchies. He succeeded in gaining support from the Germans in these 2 duchies. Lastly, Bismarck tricked Napoleon III at the meeting in Biarritz in 1865.
How Accurate is it to summarise the Period Before 1848 as: ‘The Time when Nothing Happened’? Bismarck described the era before 1848 as ‘the time when nothing happened’ and to a certain degree it is true, however, a number of key events did occur that had long lasting effects on Germany that would come to hinder, advance and affect the pace and direction of unification. Friedrich I established Prussia as a kingdom, independent of its previous association as a polish fief. Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Kaiser Leopold I, only permitted Friedrich I to style himself as King in Prussia (König in Preußen), not King of Prussia, limiting his symbolic power and international prestige; regardless, Prussia expanded its borders massively into Pomerania, the Margraviate of Brandenburg and Silesia, under Friedrich I it emerged as one of the strongest military and economic powers in Europe proper. The strong economy and growing military reputation lay foundations for a strong, proud and militaristic culture.