Question

Explain the unification of Germany.

Answer 1

Explanation:
This answer for this question can be broken down into two parts.

1. First, talk about the disintegrated state of Germany. (2 mark)
2. Explain the three wars that led to the unification of Germany. (3 mark)

Answer:
Initially Germany was divided into many small independent kingdoms. In 1606 CE, French ruler Napoleon Bonaparte conquered these and formed the Rhine Confederation with 39 kingdoms. This created a nationalistic feeling among people. Although the kingdoms fell back to the hands of monarchy post the fall of Napoleon the Prussian ruler along with his prime minister succeeded in uniting Germany. They united Germany through three wars with Denmark, Austria and France over 7 years. They captured Schleswig and Holstein from Denmark. Bismark asked Austria for help and the combined forces of Austria and Prussia to defeat Denmark. In August 1865 CE, Austria was given control over Holstein and Prussia was given to administer Schleswig. Post this, Bismark skilfully worked towards a war between Prussia and Austria by teaming up with Russia and France and Italy. In return for this, Bismark promised France that they would accept the French expansion towards the Rhine. Later Bismark purposefully broke this promise and created tension with France. Spanish succession became the immediate cause of this war. In 1863 CE, the Spanish people removed queen Isabella from her throne and offered it to Leopold, who was a very close relative of the Prussian king which was not acceptable to France. Bismarck manipulated the content of a telegram sent by the Prussian King to the French king and created hatred between the people of Prussia and France. This resulted in a war between France and Prussia. This resulted in a war between France and Prussia.The war lasted for six months. The Prussian forces defeated French forces and united Germany.