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  • To what extent was German unification under Prussian leadership an inevitable outcome and the only solution to the German national question?

To what extent was German unification under Prussian leadership an inevitable outcome and the only solution to the German national question?

Uploaded by Kerrytom on Aug 10, 2013

Germany became united under Prussian leadership in 1871, however it is debatable if this unification under Prussia was an inevitable outcome. When considering the question of German unification, the immediate person who comes to mind is Otto Von Bismarck, the Prussian chancellor. In understanding why there was some sort of inevitability in Prussian control of Germany, the events leading up to its unification must be closely examined. There is no doubt that Bismarck’s actions were the defining factors which created German unity and without him the German Empire would not have come to pass at the exact time and under the circumstances which it did. “If he had never risen to the top in Prussian politics, the unification of Germany would probably have taken place anyway, but surely not at the same time or in quite the same way that it did.” This quote is interesting because Craig contents that German unification was destined to occur with or without Bismarck’s influence and that his task was made easier by circumstance. There are many historians who contend that many other factors contributed to German unification before Bismarck.

Events in Europe during this time were contributing to German people desire for unification. One factor which could have influenced German unification was the Italian struggle for unification around the same time. This served as a source of inspiration for German liberals who were supportive of unification in Germany. “Italy stirred emotions in Germany more deeply than the Crimea and proved a great stimulus to national feeling.” Also Napoleon, by invading German territory, served as a reminder to the German people in the various states that, independently they were defenceless, but together they could be a military match for would be invaders. They would have to unify to successfully drive the French out of their lands and this was another reason why Germans were more readily favouring unity.

Regardless of these factors which made some Germans more open to unity, there is no getting away from the fact that once certain events occurred leading up to the eventual unification, that it was inevitable that Prussia would be the dominant force in Germany and the cause of the unification. The first of these factors that needs to be examined is the economic reality of the German states and Prussia. Under Bismarck the Prussian economy grew rapidly during the period leading...

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Uploaded by:   Kerrytom

Date:   08/10/2013

Category:   History

Length:   6 pages (1,451 words)

Views:   2228

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