Briefly trace the process of German unification,Italian unification and British unification
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Answer:
GERMAN UNIFICATION
In the 1800s, nationalist feelings were strong in the hearts of the middle-class Germans. They united in 1848 to create a nation-state out of the numerous German States. But the monarchy and the military got together to repress them and they gained support from the landowners of Prussia (the Junkers) too. Prussia soon became the leader of the German unification movement. Its Chief Minister Otto von Bismarck was the architect of the process with support from Prussian army and Prussian bureaucracy. The unification process was completed after Prussia won wars with Austria, Denmark, and France over seven years time. In January 1871, the Prussian king, William I, was proclaimed the German Emperor in a ceremony held at Versailles.
ITALIAN UNIFICATION
The unification of Italy is the result of dedication, contribution and effort of three great leaders Mazzini, Cavour and Garibaldi.During 1830s, Giuseppe Mazzini had tried to unite Italy. He formed the secret society called Young Italy. But both the uprising in 1831 and 1848 failed.Even the ruling elites also wanted a unified Italy which would offer economic development and political dominance.The unification of Italy was a result of many wars. Chief Minister Cavour made a tactful diplomatic alliance with France and Sardinia-Piedmont succeeded in defeating the Austrian forces in 1859.A large number of armed volunteers under the leadership of Giuseppe Garibaldi joined the unification movement.In 1860, they marched into South Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicily succeeded to drive out the Spanish rulers with the help of local people.In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed as king of United Italy.
BRITISH UNIFICATION
In Britain the formation of the nation-state was not the result of a sudden upheaval or revolution. It was the result of a long-drawn-out process. The primary identities of the people who inhabited were ethnic ones – such as English, Welsh, Scot or Irish ii) But as the English nation steadily grew in wealth, importance and power, it was able to extend its influence over the other nations of the islands. iii)The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland that resulted in the formation of the ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain’ meant, in effect, that England was able to impose its influence on Scotland. The British parliament was henceforth dominated by its English members iv)Scotland’s distinctive culture and political institutions were systematically suppressed. The Catholic clans suffered terrible repression whenever they attempted to assert their independence. The Scottish Highlanders were forbidden to speak their Gaelic language or wear their national dress, and large numbers were forcibly driven out of their homeland.
In the 1800s, nationalist feelings were strong in the hearts of the middle-class Germans. They united in 1848 to create a nation-state out of the numerous German States. But the monarchy and the military got together to repress them and they gained support from the landowners of Prussia (the Junkers) too. Prussia soon became the leader of the German unification movement. Its Chief Minister Otto von Bismarck was the architect of the process with support from Prussian army and Prussian bureaucracy. The unification process was completed after Prussia won wars with Austria, Denmark, and France over seven years time. In January 1871, the Prussian king, William I, was proclaimed the German Emperor in a ceremony held at Versailles.