The aim of this foreign policy was to spread German influence throughout the world, the meaning of which is interpreted differently by different people. ‘Weltpolitik’ meant colonial expansion to the armed forces, and ‘Lebensraum’ (living space) throughout Europe to the Pan-German League. These promises made by ‘weltpolitik’ can easily be interpreted as aggressive, and this view is supported by Corrigan who says ‘At least as early as 1906, Germany had in place a plan for an
The formal unification of Germany into a politically and administratively integrated nation state occurred on 18 January 1871 at the Versailles Palace's Hall of Mirrors. Princes of the many German states gathered there to proclaim Wilhelm of Prussia as Emperor Wilhelm I of the German Empire. Unification was a complicated process. Historians debate whether or not Otto von Bismarck, the Minister-President of Prussia, had a master-plan to expand the North German Confederation of 1866 to include the remaining independent German states into the German Empire — or whether he simply sought to expand the power of the Kingdom of Prussia. This article also addresses the factors beyond the strength of Bismarck's Realpolitik that led to unification.
Following this, Bismarck turned his attention to Austria as he wanted them out of the Bund so he could fulfil his vision of a unified Germany under Prussian leadership. This war between Prussia and Austria proved to be a success for Bismarck as 21 states north of the River Main formed a new German state under Prussian leadership and he also took over Schleswig, Holstein, Hesse-Cassel, Frankfurt and Hanover under Prussian control. All of this new power meant that Bismarck was another step closer towards a unified Germany as he had gained full control of the German states that had been under control by its enemy. The final reason and believed key factor to German unification was Bismarck’s victory in the Franco Prussian War. As France threatened to declare war due to Bismarck’s manipulation, this caused
To what extent was Wilhelm II foreign policy a continuation of Otto von Bismarck’s foreign policy? Both Otto von Bismarck and Wilhelm II were in places of great power in Germany, Bismarck being Chancellor and Wilhelm being the Kaiser, therefore it is hard to say which had more influence because they both effected the state of Germany in major ways. When presented with the question of whether or not Wilhelm II’s foreign policy could be considered to be a continuation of Bismarck’s, the answer is arguably yes, it was a continuation because Wilhelm set goals along similar lines of Bismarck’s goals. However, a counterargument can be presented, as the results of Wilhelm’s actions were almost opposite of what Bismarck was trying to achieve. Realizing that without power they could in no way influence the outcome of anything nationally or internationally Bismarck and Wilhelm held power in high importance.
To what extent did Bismarck’s policies encourage greater German national identity in the years 1871–90? (30 marks) When Otto von Bismarck came to power in 1862 he had his plans set in mind, he did not announce his plans until his eventual retirement from politics in 1890. One of these aims was to unite Germany and in 1866 he started making his way towards this aim by removing Austria from any involvement through the Austro-Prussian war, in 1870 he made his final step, a war with France, this war ended in 1871 and Prussia was ultimately victorious. This now meant that Germany could unify as one, however it was very much controlled by the state within Germany that was the strongest, Prussia. Bismarck made Prussia the strongest state in Germany politically as well as what was already understood; their economic and military dominance.
Between 1864 and 1865 he promoted an alliance with Austria reasoning that this would allay the fears of the southern German states, which were more naturally inclined towards Vienna than Berlin. This cooperation seemed to reach a climax in 1864 with the joint Austro- Prussian intervention against Denmark and the occupation of Schleswig and Holstein. Bismark hoped that Austria would concede to Prussia the lions share of political influence in Northern Germany. Also
What was Bismarck's vision domestically for the united Germany? How successful was he achieving his aims? Germany was unified in 1871 by Prussia's supremacy against France in the Franco-Prussian war. Under the reign of Kaiser William I (1871-1888), Bismarck was the most powerful man in the Empire and dominated the government of the Reich. He wanted a new constitution, the army to be well maintained, religion to be subordinated against the united Germany, Prussia to be economically strengthened and to curb the growth of socialism.
Discuss the importance of the role Bismarck as a cause of German unification. It has been said by several historians that the second half of the nineteenth century was the ‘Age of Bismarck.’ In the mid 1800’s Bismarck provided dynamic leadership- a trait which had been lacking during the events of 1848-89. Ian Mitchell stated “Bismarck was everywhere.” However, there has been a considerable degree of debate concerning the role of Bismarck in the unification of Germany. Some argue that unification would have been inevitable and had nothing to do with Bismarck, although others argue that the unification was solely down to Bismarck’s role. Other factors are such as French revolutionary ideas swept across Europe, 1848 Revolutions, Prussian economic and military strength.
What was Pan-German Nationalism and why did it radicalise After the First World War? Pan-German Nationalism was extreme patriotism and the idea of the protection of Germanic culture and the purity of its bloodline. One of the most predominant aspirations of the Pan-Germanist’s was the unification of all the German speaking peoples of Central and Eastern Europe, an area where the infamous Aryan Tribes had roamed a thousand years previously. It was the thought that the modern day German peoples were direct decedents of this reveared historic race and the aspiration was to create a great Germanic Empire: one that was comparative to that of their ancestors and other European powers. Although the theory of Pan Germanism became more apparent to most in the 20th Century; its theory had in fact been around for hundreds of years previously, having originated from the desire to unify all the German provinces.
Why, and to what extent, had Prussia replaced Austria as the leading power in the German Confederation by 1862? The period 1815 to 1862 was one that witnessed the steady rise of Prussian economic and political power and the equally steady decrease in the power and influence of Austria. These years witnessed a struggle between Prussia and the Austrian Empire to gain influence in the German Confederation, which ultimately ended with Prussia in ascendance. While there is no doubt that Prussia emerged as the dominant power in the German Confederation, there were a number of factors that contributed to this and no sole one was the cause of this rise in power. However, in 1815 this future trend was not at all apparent.