Unification of Germany
Feelings of nationalism helped the German and Italian states become independent nations. The 39 German states did not become a nation easily. After the Congress of Vienna, the 39 German states formed the German Confederation under the control of the Austrians. Religion also made it hard to unite the German states. The people in northern Germany were Protestants and the people in the south were Catholic. Religious wars between the Protestants and Catholic led to tensions within Germany and stalled the process of unification.
Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck led the unification efforts in Germany. He was the prime minister of the German state of Prussia. As the prime minister, Bismarck ruled with a policy known a "blood and iron," meaning blood meant war and iron meant absolute monarchy. He believed that wars with other countries would unite the German people into one union. Bismarck said that wars give people a reason to work together and sparked the feelings of nationalism. Because of these thoughts, Bismarck strengthened the Prussian army and began various wars. In 1862, Bismarck allied with Austria to fight Denmark for their southern territories. Bismarck and Austria were successful and celebrated their victory by dividing the territory. Eventually, Bismarck embraced his "blood and iron" philosophy and declared war with Austria. (Known as the Seven Weeks' War) Prussia won with a peace settlement transferring part of Austria under Bismarck's control. After Denmark, Bismarck moved to the southern provinces. He turned to realpolitik to unite the Germanic provinces by constructing a war against a common enemy: Catholicism. Issues ensued between the French, Catholics, and Bismarck. In 1870, the Franco-Prussian War began.
The Franco-Prussian War led to the creation of the German state. Bismarck tricked the French into declaring war and fearing a French invasion, the last of the small German kingdoms joined with Prussia. After the war, Germany was created.
Franco-Prussian War
