How Was Germany Unified?
Overview
In 1815 the German-speaking lands were a loose collection of thirty-nine states, the German Confederation, dominated by Austria and with no central government, no common army and no single voice. By 1871 they had become one of the most powerful nations on earth: the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at the palace of Versailles. At the heart of this transformation stood one man, the Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck, master of blood and iron.
In this lesson you will discover why the well-meaning Frankfurt Parliament failed in 1848 to 1849, how Bismarck used the Zollverein and Prussia's strength to take the lead, and how three carefully managed wars, against Denmark in 1864, Austria in 1866 and France in 1870 to 1871, built the German Empire step by step. You will also weigh the central question: was unification really Bismarck's personal achievement, or did deeper forces make it possible?
Objectives
- Why was Germany not unified in 1848-50?
- How did Bismarck bring about Austria’s defeat of 1866?
- How did Bismarck bring about France’s defeat of 1870?
- How far was Bismarck responsible for the unification of Germany?
- German nationalism
- The Zollverein
- The 1848 revolution in Prussia
- The setting up and eventual failure of the Frankfurt Parliament
- Re-establishment of Austrian influence in Germany by 1850
- Bismarck as Prussian Minister-President
- Bismarck’s foreign policy to 1871: - Schleswig-Holstein - the Austro-Prussian War and its consequences - relations with France - the Spanish Succession and the Franco-Prussian War - the creation of the German empire
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on How Was Germany Unified?. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- The Zollverein was a: A. Prussian army reform B. Customs union led by Prussia C. German parliament D. Peace treaty with Austria Answer: B
- Why did the Frankfurt Parliament fail to unite Germany in 1848 to 1849? A. Austria invaded it B. It had no real power and could not agree C. France declared war D. Bismarck dissolved it Answer: B
- In which year did Prussia defeat Austria at the Battle of Koniggratz? A. 1864 B. 1866 C. 1870 D. 1871 Answer: B
- Bismarck provoked France into declaring war in 1870 by editing the: A. Treaty of Prague B. Zollverein agreement C. Ems Telegram D. Frankfurt constitution Answer: C
- Where and when was the German Empire proclaimed? A. Berlin, 1866 B. Frankfurt, 1848 C. The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, 18 January 1871 D. Vienna, 1864 Answer: C
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
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