Unification of Germany | Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests) PDF Download

Introduction

Germany had long been a confederation of various German princedoms, established through the Treaty of Verdun in 843 CE. Until the 19th century, there was no strong sense of German nationalism among the people. The states were largely autonomous, with some directly ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. This system of fragmented states was known as the "practice of kleinstaaterei" or "practice of small states."

The Industrial Revolution, however, brought about significant changes. Improved transportation and communication brought far-flung regions closer together, fostering a sense of unity. Even though the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars, the German-speaking regions remained connected by linguistic and cultural ties. It was during this time that liberal and nationalistic thoughts began to spread among intellectuals, laying the foundation for German nationalism.

Rise of German Nationalism

After Napoleon's defeat, the Congress of Vienna in 1815 established a confederation of German states under the leadership of the Austrian Empire. Austria sought to maintain its influence over the German states and suppressed any expression of German nationalism. The rivalry between Prussia and Austria emerged as Prussia was the only German state that could rival Austria's power and influence.

The Zollverein, an institution aimed at promoting economic unity, played a crucial role in fostering a larger sense of economic unification among the German states. Initially, Austria opposed the idea of German unification, fearing it as a threat to its empire. However, it eventually joined the Zollverein in 1853.

The Berlin Revolution of 1848

Between 1830 and 1848, persistent agitation for the unification of Germany and the establishment of constitutional and liberal governments swept through the smaller German states. The Frankfurt Parliament convened in 1849, drafting a constitution and offering the title of Kaiser (Emperor) to the Prussian king Frederick William IV. While the liberals failed to achieve full unification, they made progress by collaborating with the German princes on constitutional reforms.

The Seven Weeks War in 1866 proved pivotal as Prussia defeated Austria and its German allies, ending Austrian interference in German affairs and laying the foundation for its own empire.

Congress of Princes 1868 (German Bund)

In 1868, Austria called for a Congress of the German princes to discuss reform proposals for the German Confederation, inviting Prussia to attend. Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia, convinced King Wilhelm I not to attend, leading to the conference's failure. This event further shifted the balance of power in Germany.

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871

Otto von Bismarck, as the Prime Minister of Prussia, deliberately provoked France to attack Prussia, leading to the Franco-Prussian War. The war proved disastrous for France, culminating in a major defeat at Sedan in September 1870. The resulting Treaty of Frankfurt saw France losing the territory of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany and paying £200 million in compensation.

Proclamation and Significance of Unification

On 18 January 1871, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles in France, the Princes of most German states gathered to proclaim King Wilhelm I of Prussia as German Emperor, announcing the unification of Germany. The newly unified German state, dominated by Prussia, adopted a federalist structure.

The significance of this unification was profound. A unified Germany emerged as a formidable power in Europe, boasting a powerful army and consolidating quarreling states into one cohesive entity. This new German state rapidly expanded its influence, colonizing regions in Africa and Asia, leading to friction with other European powers.

However, this newfound power and influence also ignited tensions with other major European nations, including Britain, France, and Russia. These animosities ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the First World War, which resulted in the dissolution of the German Empire through the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.