The Unification of Germany - Essay Example

UNIFICATION OF GERMANY 1871 UNIFICATION OF GERMANY The unification of Germany is one of the greatest events not only in the European history, but also in the history of world at large. It was the outcome of long and continuous struggle of many decades, based on various feature including economic co-operation between the states and consequent financial rise, internal and external policies and the courageous steps taken by the dynamic leadership of Prussian leaders, that the disintegrated states of Prussia witnessed the magnificent incident of unification after winning series of three historic wars against Denmark, Austria-Hungary and France in 1864, 1866 and 1871 respectively. The Schleswig-Holstein War humbled Denmark, the Austro-Prussian War ended in the defeat of Austria-Hungary and the Franco-Prussian War completed German unification by the defeat of France. (Mahajan, 1999: 3) Thus, Germany turned out to be supreme and one of the most powerful sovereign states of the region. There was no single event that determined the whole process of unification; rather, many factors worked in combination and contributed to the completion of uplift progression of the German nation. All the strata of society including political leadership, intellectuals, philosophers, poets, writers, economists, military personnel, students, farmers and civil society added their share in the whole development. Otto Von Bismarck, the iron-Chancellor of Prussia, played the most formidable role in this regard.1 His skill as a diplomat was unrivalled during his reign as chancellor of Prussia and Germany. The mastery he showed in foreign policy was such that he was able to outwit all other powers and make their leaders look pathetic. (Graham, 2007:1) The Vienna settlement of 1815 conceived the idea of German Confederation of thirty-nine states rather than the unification of the country.2 The decisions taken in the Vienna settlement were extremely unsatisfactory one for the German people especially the moderates and nationalists, who were expecting concrete course of action which could lead them towards the way to unification. But instead of unification, only the positions of different German and non-German princes were restored under Confederation as they had been before the intervention of Napoleon Bonaparte.3 The main objective behind German Confederation was to guarantee external and internal peace of Germany and the independence of the member states. The thirty-nine states agreed not to declare war on one another, and had the obligation of helping one another in the hour of need. (Leads, 1989:135) According to the Metternich system of status quo, devised and introduced in the Vienna Settlement, the political situations must have been remained unchanged in all the European countries and each and every political movement launched by any group would not only be dispirited, but also be dealt with strictly. It really discouraged the Prussian patriot forces regarding their dream of a strong and unified Germany. 4 It is not only war that makes a nation strong; rather, political stability, economic prosperity and public welfare policies win a respectable place to a nation. Hence, all these factors also worked out for the completion of German unification. Though war campaigns reveal military strength of the countries, yet these campaigns also require financial resources for launching such movements for the defence and solidarity of countries. Since the Prussians had acknowledged that no neighbouring country was interested in supporting the unification; rather, their policies were continuously weakening Prussia by creating differences and suppressing peoples’ voice for reformation plans. Furthermore, people were expecting some imperative political strategies from the Prussian King Frederick William III for playing a decisive role, but the King lacked wisdom and foresight much enough to lead the nation and steer its ship towards safe waters. But unfortunately, the King could not do anything in respect of gathering the nation under one banner and on one single platform. Thus, they started looking for some other methods to strengthen them as a nation. Historians have articulated different theories regarding the unification process. Some of them are of the view that German unification was the result of intellectual diplomacy and military strength of Prussia. They argue that King Wilhelm IV had already schemed for the unification as he was confident of the military position of his country; it is therefore he had appointed the clever diplomat Bismarck as the Chancellor in 1862. Bismarck had successfully fought German case wherever he had got a chance of displaying his loyalty and had been as determined as rock for the cause of Germany. His famous ‘blood and iron policy’ paved the way towards country’s unification. Blood and iron policy simply looked for the recruitment of young men in armed forces in order to enlarge the Prussian army on the one hand, and the preparation of latest weapons and ammunition to combat and crush all the threats and hurdles on the way of unification with an iron hand on the other. (Zaidi, 2001: 212) Bismarck had got sufficient experience of diplomatic affairs and unremitting manoeuvring which were in popular parlance in 19th century Europe. The Schleswig-Holstein war was manipulated by Bismarck by taking the advantage of German population in Schleswig and Holstein. (Graham, 2001:3) Hence, both King and Chancellor wilfully waged wars against the neighbour countries in order to make their own way in respect of unification. The humiliation of Prussia at the hands of Austria had convinced King Wilhelm that only a big and strong army could win liberty for Prussia. It was with the conviction in mind that he appointed Moltke as the Chief of the General Staff and Roon as the Minister of War. (Dawson, 1911:298) The joint venture of the four great Prussian brains achieved dominance over Denmark, Austria and France in the battlefield. As soon as the King of Denmark announced incorporation of Schleswig with Danish Empire, Bismarck decided to handle the situation by force. Subsequently, he ordered the Prussian army to invade the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein to secure some long term measures of independence for these Duchies from Denmark. As the conflict continued Denmark refused to agree to the sort of arrangements that were then sponsored by Prussia and Austria with the result that the two Ducal provinces were effectively seized from Denmark by Prussia and Austria. (Age of the Sage) After capturing Schleswig from Denmark, Bismarck was not ready to hand over the rich territory of Holstein to Austria. Thus, he created disputes with the later on the question of Austrian interference in Augustenburg. Bismarck at first warned Austria regarding her propaganda in Augustenburg in favour of the Duke and against Prussia; as the later refused to comply with, Prussian forces entered Holstein and turned out the Austrians from the region. Austria tried to consult the Diet of German Confederation, which Prussia quit suddenly and declared war on Austria and carried the day in seven week war of 1866. Hanover, Hesse-Cassel, Nassau, the free city of Frankfurt-on-the-Maine and the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein were annexed to Prussia. (Mahajan, 1999: 294) In the same way, Prussia adopted hostile attitude towards France too strictly by adhering to the Bismarck’s blood and iron policy. The pivot of his foreign policy was to isolate France in the arena of international politics so that she could not manage to threat or thwart Germany. France had become bitter on the German threats regarding the offers of Spanish throne and it was unacceptable for the French to be cowed down as France had ruled over Prussia under Napoleon I. Thus, Napoleon III of France declared war on Prussia. Her incorrect and untimely decision of war decided the fate of a stronger Germany and weaker France. The fact that the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 was apparently begun by France evoked much sympathy for Prussia. Bismarck might himself be distrusted, but even the realization that war was transferring the role of new continental power in the form of united Germany. Thus, the unwise steps taken by Napoleon III led towards the completion of united Germany. (Arnstein, 1988:105) The Emperor Napoleon III of France was defeated and captured in January 1871 and the unification process observed its completion. Many of the historians, on the other hand, opine that it was the outcome of Prussian economic prosperity that made the unification a reality. They strongly believe that it was coal and iron, rather than blood and iron, which contained major share in the unification of Germany. Like other European countries of 19th century, Prussia was also an agricultural state. Politically, it was a diversified region and all the thirty-nine states had maintained their independent economic policies. Though, Silesia, Prussian Saxony, Westphalia and the Rhine province had also been agricultural regions, yet textile and other industries were growing rapidly in the aftermath of 18th century Industrial Revolution. Moreover, coal mining and steel as well as metal industry was also in stable development process. The ongoing Industrial Revolution affected the western provinces earlier and stronger than those of the east. (History of Prussia: Quoted in Zum.de) One of the most fruitful aspects of German Confederation was that the economic co-operation among the Prussian states accelerated to the great extent. It not only strengthened the intra-states economic ties, and multiplied trade volume and financial activities between the states of the Confederation, but also gave birth to political stability and consistency. Subsequently, Prussian economy started growing with a magnificent speed. Zollverein or customs’ union was most effective step that served as a turning point for the economic unification of Prussian states. Zollverein simply meant preferential customs policies specified for all the Prussian states excluding Austria-Hungary. Before 1818, every state and even district of Prussia had its own laws regarding customs duty on sales and it was estimated that Prussia maintained sixty seven tariff areas. Such an economic set up was the greatest of the hurdles while competing with the rival countries of England, France and Austria-Hungary. As soon as tariff law was approved in 1818, not only imports of raw materials between the states was declared free from customs duty, but also the duty on manufactured goods was reduced to ten percent only. (Valentin, 1940: 331) By 1831, many states including Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, Weimar, Gotha, Merchlenburg-Schwerin, Schaumburg-Lippie, Rudolstadt, Hamburg, Bavaria, Wurtemburg and others had Joined Zollverein. (Zaidi, 2001, 158) All such fiscal unity and economic unity played pivotal role for the unification of the country. A continuous and steady economic co-operation during the initial years of Industrial Revolution brought Prussian states nearer. The growth of the railway network in Germany led to easier access to different natural resources across the confederation, which significantly supported to stimulate economic growth and meant that economic prosperity was increasingly reliant upon strong links between different member states of the German confederation. (School History, 2004) Moreover, invention of steamboats made the trade activities quick and comfortable. Berlin and Potsdam were interlinked with the help of steamboats in 1817, and new era of prosperity and unity was commenced. The establishment of railroad network in Belgium not only provided merchants and businessmen access from Rhine province to Dutch Rhine toll of Lobith, but also it enhanced the demand for coal and steel. (The Prussian Economy) As soon as demand, application and utility of coal, iron and steels started rising, peoples’ standard of living also witnessed improvement. The business and labour classes began travelling from one part of the country to the other in search of work and trade. It gave the Prussians a gorgeous opportunity of interacting with the people living in different states. Economic activities encouraged social contacts and acculturation in masses and political differences began declining gradually. Thus, the wide-spread economic ties strengthened the nation and their started thinking of getting united under one banner. Moreover, Prussian economic boom served as a contributory cause of her later military and political supremacy in Germany. As German states needed both raw material of coal and steel on the one hand and finished and manufactured goods from Prussian industries on the other, the situation of commercial unity and dependence on Prussia created an atmosphere of friendship and co-operation among the states under German Confederation. It not only brought the states into an economic contract, but also led towards the prosperity and financial uplift of the Confederation at large. Hence, commercial unity among the thirty-nine states or the coal and iron strategy gave a go to the political and military adventures in the future years to come. A strong economy became a constant source of inspiration among the leaders and masses alike, and the government was in a better position of keeping big army and preparing latest ammunition, which greatly supported the nation in making of military campaigns and adventures on the basis of strong economy. It is therefore the coal and iron proved imperative in respect of the unification of one sovereign state of Germany. FOOTNOTES 1- Otto Von Bismarck (1815-1898) was Prussian statesman and Chancellor from 1861 to 1890. Already had worked at different positions and assignments, and enjoyed key posts in and outside his country, he was determined to make Germany an unconquerable strong sovereign state. 2- Vienna Settlement took place in 1815 after the decisive defeat of napoleon, in which all the previous positions of royal families of European countries were restored and the map of the continent was redrawn. 3- The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (1799-1815) and his successive wars against all the countries of Europe had created a fuss in the whole continent. He had conquered most of the regions and forced the kings and queens to abdicate in order to appoint the rulers out of his own will. 4- Prince Wenzel Von Metternich was the Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary from 1813 to 1848. He had performed a formidable role in the decline of Napoleon I and in the re-drawing of the European map in the aftermath of Waterloo. He launched a political system of status quo in Vienna Settlement of 1815, which remained active in the whole of Europe for many decades. BIBLIOGRAPHY Andre Corvisier. A Dictionary of Military History Blackwell Publishers Oxford UK 1994 C A Leads. European History Sixth Edition M&E Books 1989 James Graham. Was Bismarck the Key Factor in the Unification of Germany? (Quoted in HistoryOrb.com) M. H. Zaidi Otto Von Bismarck Moses Publications the Mall Lahore 2001 V. D. Mahajan. International relations Since 1900. S. Chand & Company Limited. Ramnagar India 1999 V Valentin. Chapters in German History 1940 W. H. Dawson Evolution of Modern Germany British Historical Review 1911 Walter L Arnstein Britain Yesterday and Today 1830 to the Present Fifth Edition D C Heath and Company Lexinton 1988 The History of Prussia. The Prussian Economy (Quoted in zum.de/whkmla/region/germany/preu18151847ec.) The Unification of Germany (Quoted in the School History.com) 2004 Read More