World-history / Unification of Germany and of Italy / Unification of Germany
Unification of Germany
The 19th century in Europe was indeed marked by significant movements for national unification and independence. Let's delve deeper into the developments regarding the unification of Germany and Italy during this period:
Germany:
- In the 18th century, Germany was a patchwork of small states and principalities, each with its ruler. The Holy Roman Empire, a loose confederation of these states, dissolved in 1806 after being dismantled by Napoleon Bonaparte.
- The Napoleonic Wars, which lasted from the late 18th century to the early 19th century, had a profound impact on reshaping the political map of Germany. Napoleon's conquests and the imposition of the Napoleonic Code introduced ideas of modernization, legal reform, and nationalism.
- Following the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, the Congress of Vienna established the German Confederation, a loose association of 38 German states. Austria and Prussia were the most prominent states within this confederation, with Prussia gradually emerging as a more dominant power.
- Nationalism and a desire for unification started to grow among the German-speaking people, and liberal and nationalist sentiments were inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution and Enlightenment thinkers. Writers and intellectuals played a significant role in fostering nationalistic fervour.
- The unification of Germany was ultimately achieved under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia. Bismarck used a combination of diplomacy and warfare, culminating in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. The war with France helped rally German states around Prussia, leading to the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871, with King Wilhelm I of Prussia as the first German Emperor.
