Explain the unification of Germany and unification of Italy?
Answers
Answer:
1. Before the eighteenth century, there were different ethnic identities with its own culture and politics-English, Welsh, Scot, and Irish.
2. As the English nation's wealth and power increased, its influence over other island nations also increased.
3. the english parliament which has seized power from the monarchy in 1688 was the instrument through which a nation state, with england came to be forged.
4.. the act of union 1707 between england and scotland had resulted in the formation of united kingdom of great britain
5. ireland was also later forcibly incorporated into UK in 1801
a new british nation was forged through the propagation of a dominant english culture
UNIFICATION OF GERMANY
The newly emerged middle class in Germany in 1848 tried to unite several German kingdoms which were suppressed by monarchies and large landowners into one nation state governed by an elected body.
Prussia, a German kingdom, took the leadership in uniting various German states. Otto von Bismarck, the Chief Minister of Prussia, aimed to achieve the goal of unification with the help of the Prussian army and the bureaucracy.
Spread over seven years, the Prussian army with the help of the Austrian, French and Danish armies fought three wars and successfully incorporated all the small German kingdoms. This marked the process of completion of German unification.
The German unification was completed in 1871 and in the same year William I was declared as the emperor of Germany at the Palace of Versailles.
The process of the unification of Germany exhibited the power of the Prussian state. Many new reforms were initiated in banking, currency, administration and judiciary in Germany.
UNIFICATION OF ITALY
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.