reasons for german unification prussian military
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Economic success
Prussia had a very strong economy, partly due to the
success of the Zollverein.
This financial success gave Prussia the ability to build a strong army.
Stronger Prussian army
King Wilhelm wanted to build a bigger, stronger
army but was blocked by the Prussian Landtag
(Parliament).
Bismarck simply defied them and took the taxes to make army reforms.
War with Denmark
In 1863, Denmark took control of Schleswig and Holstein, two states with
German populations.
Prussia persuaded Austria to support them in a war
against Denmark in 1864. Germany easily won this war.
Austro-Prussian War
Bismarck took steps to isolate Austria, including blocking their access to
Holstein.
He persuaded France to not support Austria. Italy
backed Prussia and Russia refused to support
Austria.
Austro-Prussian War
In June 1866, Austria declared war on Prussia, and gained some support from smaller
states.
Prussia easily and quickly defeated Austria (it is known as the Seven Weeks War). However Bismarck did not want to humiliate Austria.
Austro-Prussian War outcomes
• Austria was expelled from the German Confederation
• 21 states north of the River Main formed the North
German Confederation (led by Prussia)
• Southern German states had to pay money to Prussia
and enter military alliances with them
Franco-Prussian War
The northern German states were united;
Bismarck believed the south would do so if they
faced a major enemy.
Bismarck took steps to provoke France and
isolate them from the rest of Europe.
Spanish Candidature and Ems
Bismarck proposed that a Prussian prince take the
Spanish throne, meaning France would be
surrounded.
Bismarck also published the ‘Ems Telegram’
which greatly insulted France.
His Majesty the King has written to me:
Count Benedetti intercepted me on the promenade and ended by demanding of me, in a very importunate manner, that I should authorize him to telegraph at once that I bound myself in perpetuity never again to give my consent if the Hohenzollerns renewed their candidature.
I rejected this demand somewhat sternly, as it is neither right nor possible to undertake engagements of this kind [for ever and ever]. Naturally, I told him that I had not yet received any news and, since he had been better informed via Paris and Madrid than I was, he must surely see that my government was not concerned in the matter.
[The King, on the advice of one of his ministers], decided, in view of the above-mentioned demands, not to receive Count Benedetti any more, but to have him informed, by an adjutant, that His Majesty had now received [from Leopold] confirmation of the news which Benedetti had already had from Paris and had nothing further to say to the ambassador.
His Majesty suggests to Your Excellency, that Benedetti's new demand and its rejection might well be communicated both to our ambassadors and to the Press.
After the news of the renunciation of the Prince von Hohenzollern had been communicated to the Imperial French government by the Royal Spanish government, the French Ambassador in Ems made a further demand on His Majesty the King that he should authorize him to telegraph to Paris that His Majesty the King undertook for all time never again to give his assent should the Hohenzollerns once more take up their candidature.
His Majesty the King thereupon refused to receive the Ambassador again and had the latter informed by the Adjutant of the day that His Majesty had no further communication to make to the Ambassador.
Real version
Bismarck’s version
Franco-Prussian War
France declared war on Prussia in 1870. The southern
German states joined the north to fight. Germany easily defeated France and took land,
including Alsace-Lorraine.
Wilhelm was declared Emperor of Germany in
January 1871.
Arguments for importance
Prussia’s military strength was vital in keeping control of their own
country.
Although many members of the Prussian Landtag opposed army changes, they could not rebel due
to army strength.
Loyalty from other states
Prussia’s ability to stand up to Denmark showed
other German states that its army could protect
them all.
It also made clear to other states the problems with
opposing Prussian wishes.
Bismarck’s role
Prussia’s military strength was important in
achieving unification – but it was really due to
Bismarck.
It was he who defied the Prussian Landtag to
collect the taxes needed for the army.
Bismarck’s role
Bismarck also helped engineer the wars with
Austria and France.
Many believe this is what he planned for from the start when he took steps to build a strong Prussian
army.