German unification took place under the resistance of European nations who feared the formation of a great power with powers to dictate the European economy. The process took place between 1828 and 1888 after three wars and a policy of alliances that culminated in the First World War l.
In 1828, what would become the future Germany was a formation of 38 states that formed the German Confederation under the rule of Austria. For the latter, it was convenient to maintain the Germanic political fragmentation because this slowed down economic development, which was still predominantly rural.
The scenario begins to change in 1930, when the customs union of the German states, the Zollverein, is created under the leadership of Prussia. The Zollverein allows for industrial expansion and excludes Austria, which remains opposed to national unity.
The main driver of German unification was the strengthening of the army, which was modernized under the leadership of General Von Moltke. The German forces benefit from the union of the high bourgeoisie and the Prussian aristocracy, who controlled the army.
The Prussian aristocracy is called Junker and, from 1862, they appoint Otto von Bismarck Chancellor of Prussia, whose mark was the defense of armament and war to achieve national unity.
Also read:Otto von Bismarck.
War of the Duchies
Beginning in 1864, the War of the Duchies was the first battle to start the process of German unification. German troops united against Denmark, which since 1815 had administered the duchies of Scheleswig-Holstein by decision of the Congress of Vienna.
In 1863, Denmark annexed the territories, even though they were inhabited by a German population, and Bismarck, with the support of Austria, managed to regain the duchies for Germany. Although an ally of Austria, the German chancellor used a preventive policy to avoid territorial compensation and forged an alliance with France and Italy.
Austro-Prussian War
Also known as the Seven Weeks War, it took place in 1866 and was won by Germany. Among the consequences of the conflict was the signing of the Treaty of Prague and the dissolution of the German Confederation.
The Germans tried to annex the South German states, but the French Emperor, Napoleon III, opposed, threatened to attack Prussia and made clear the fear of seeing Germany as the greatest European power.
Franco-Prussian War
The conflict started in 1870, because a year earlier, Napoleon III vetoed the candidacy of Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern to the Spanish throne. Prussia declared war on France and won. As a result, the Treaty of Frankfurt was signed, which allowed Germany to annex the provinces of Alsace-Lorraine, rich in iron deposits.
France also received a high war indemnity and, yet, Germany annexed the southern states, starting the Second Reich. The First Reich is defined as the period of the Holy Roman Empire, beginning in the Middle Ages. The Third Reich is marked with the rise of Adolf Hitler to power.
Learn more about the Franco-Prussian War.
Consequences of the Unification of Germany
- Emergence of the German Empire;
- Disruption of the European balance in force since the Treaty of Versailles;
- Increased revanchism with France;
- German Industrial Revolution;
- Rivalry with England in search of markets to sell production;
- Promotion of France's isolation;
- Emergence of the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria and Italy), one of the poles of the First World War.
Also read:Italian Unification and What is Nationalism?