- Bismarck’s role: Otto von Bismarck became Prussian Prime Minister in 1862. He was a skilled diplomat who believed in uniting Germany under Prussian leadership through “blood and iron.”
- Diplomacy: Bismarck was clever at isolating Austria and France. He made alliances or promises with other countries to make sure Prussia could fight its wars without facing too many enemies at once.
- Economic strength: Prussia was already leading the Zollverein, the customs union. This gave it strong trade and money to support the army and new industries.
- Army reforms: The Prussian army was modernized by General von Roon and General von Moltke. They improved training, weapons, and planning, making it the most efficient army in Europe.
- Danish War (1864): Prussia and Austria fought together against Denmark over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Prussia gained more influence, but tensions with Austria grew.
- Austro-Prussian War (1866): Bismarck made sure Austria had no strong allies, then defeated it in seven weeks at the Battle of Königgrätz. Prussia took control of northern Germany.
- North German Confederation (1867): After defeating Austria, Bismarck created a new union of northern German states under Prussia’s leadership. Southern states stayed out for now.
- Franco-Prussian War (1870–71): Bismarck manipulated France into declaring war. German states united to fight France. The Prussians defeated Napoleon III quickly, and the victory created a surge of German nationalism.
- Unification in 1871: After the war, southern states joined the North German Confederation. In January 1871, King Wilhelm I of Prussia was crowned Emperor of Germany in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
- The 1871 Constitution: Germany became an empire with Prussia as the leading state. The Emperor had great power, the Chancellor answered only to him, and the parliament (Reichstag) had limited influence.
Case study
The Austro-Prussian War (Seven Weeks’ War), 1866
Background
- After the Danish War (1864), Austria and Prussia argued over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Austria administered Holstein and Prussia took Schleswig.
- Bismarck used this dispute to provoke a war with Austria, aiming to remove Austria from German affairs and strengthen Prussia’s control.
Bismarck’s Diplomacy
- Bismarck made sure Austria had no strong allies before the war.
- He promised Italy Venetia if it supported Prussia, which kept Austria fighting on two fronts.
- He secured Prussia’s neutrality from France and Russia, isolating Austria.
The War
- The conflict lasted only seven weeks, showing Prussia’s military efficiency.
- The key battle was Königgrätz (Sadowa) in July 1866, where General von Moltke’s well-trained Prussian army and superior railways and rifles crushed Austria.
Results
- Peace of Prague (1866): Austria was defeated but treated leniently so it would not seek revenge. Austria agreed to stay out of German affairs.
- Prussia’s dominance: Prussia annexed several northern German states (Hanover, Hesse, Nassau, Frankfurt) and created the North German Confederation led by Prussia.
- Austria’s decline: Austria was excluded from Germany and focused instead on its empire in the east.
- Step toward unification: The war showed that Prussia, not Austria, would lead the way in German unification.
Significance
- The war proved the strength of Prussia’s military reforms, railways, and new weaponry.
- Bismarck’s careful diplomacy avoided a wider European war.
- The balance of power in Germany shifted permanently in Prussia’s favor.
Note
- Bismarck's unification of Germany was driven by pragmatism, not ideology. He used war as a tool to achieve political goals, demonstrating the effectiveness of Realpolitik.
Exam technique
- In essays, weigh diplomacy, economy, military, and wars, instead of praising just one factor.
- Use names like Königgrätz, Versailles 1871, or the Zollverein to show precise knowledge.
Self review
- To what extent was Bismarck responsible for the unification of Germany in 1871?
- Assess the relative importance of diplomacy, military strength, and economic growth in achieving German unification.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the 1871 German Constitution.
