Find out how the process of unification of Germany took place ? Write in detail....
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Answer:
The following are the process of the Unification of Germany :
a) After 1848 , nationalism in Europe moved away its association with democracy and revolution.
b) Nationalist sentiments were often mobilised by conservatives for promoting state power and achieving political domination over Europe.
c) Nationalist feelings were widespread among middle-class Germans in 19th century. Zollverein was formed on Prussian initiative,joined by most German states to harness economic interest in national unification.
d) The first attempt for unification of Germany was made in 18th century through the establishment of constitutional monarchy under the leadership of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV,by conveying a parliament at Frankfurt.
e) The liberal initiative to
nation-building was repressed by the combined forces of the monarchy and the military, supported by the large landowners (called Junkers) of Prussia.
f) Prussia took on the leadership and initiative of the movement for the national unification. Otto - Van Bismarck, the C.M. of Prussia with help of Prussian army and bureaucracy became the architect of this process.
f) Otto Van Bismarck fought 3 wars over 7 years against Austria, Denmark and France which ended in Prussian victory and this completed the process of German unification.
g) The wars won by Bismarck were due to the following policies :
He established friendly relationships of Prussia with Austria, France and Denmark. Then he signed a non-attack agreement with France and Denmark and led a war against Austria.Prussian defeated Austria and gained back Habsburg, Tyrol, Bohemia, Sudent Land and Bohemia .
Then Bismarck signed a non-attack agreement with France and led a war against Denmark. Prussia defeated Denmark and gained back its lost territories.
Then at last Bismarck led a war against France . Prussia defeated France and gained back important territories including Ruhr.
Due to these measures Bismarck was regarded as ' The man of Blood and Iron ' .
Thus the process of German unification was completed.
h) Prussian king Kaiser William I was proclaimed as German emperor in the Royal Palace of Versailles on January 1871 . It symbolised the birth of a United Germany.
Then on 18th January 1871 , new German empire headed by Kaiser William I was proclaimed. The win in the wars led to Bismarck becoming the chancellor of North Confederation in 1867.
Hence these were the process which led to the German Unification.