Unification of Germany
Like Italy, Germany was also a divided country
upto 1871, Germany was divided into many Kingdoms, Largest being Prussia. It is
said that there were around 300 states and small principalities in Germany. In
Germany also Austria was responsible for division like Italy Cavour, the
statesman of Piedmont had played Crucial role in unification of Italy and in
case of Germany Otto van Bismarck - the chancellor of Prussia played very
important role in unification of Germany.
Fredrick William IV , King of Prussia was interested in uniting Germany
under leadership of Prussia. Hence he gave all to different German States and
kingdoms to form a close union. He did not invite Austria. As many as 17 German
states responded positively to the Call of Prussia and they united at Erfurt in
mouth of March 1850.. Austria was angry with this development as she was not
invited and she did not want unity of Germany. Fredrick William IV had to stop
this plan under Austrian Pressure. the king of Prussia.
In 1861 William I became the king of Prussia.
He was brother of Fredrick William IV. Like his brother, William I was also
interested in uniting Germany. He started. Strengthening the Prussian armed
forces William I, however was having opposition from the liberals in Prussian
Assembly. His liberals also wanted unification, but not by war, rather they
wanted to achieve it in peaceful manner. In this way there was: political
crisis in Prussia where in the King and Parliament were at border place.
William I had appointed Otto Von Bismarck as the Chancellor of Prussia. In 1862
Bismarck became president of Prussian ministry.
Bismarck played pivotal
role in achieving the unification of Germany. He applied both the policy of war
and diplomacy for achieving the dream of unification of Germany. He was born in
Brandenburg and educated person. He belonged to the family of Landlords. After
completing his education, he joined the Prussian civil service. He went on to
become member of Prussian Diet (parliament). Bismarck, after becoming
chancellor of Prussia embarked for the path of political, economic and military
development of Prussia. He did so because he knew that in order to achieve the
goal of unification off Germany, Prussia had to cross its source with great
powers like Austria.
Hence, Strong Prussia
was needed. Again the Parliament of Prussia dominated by liberals was against
sanctioning funds for Spending on armed forces. Hence the King, William I,
raised money by issuing co-ordinates and compulsorily collecting taxes.
The Prussia and Bismarck
had to fight to achieve the unification of Germany. Three wars in order to
achieve the unification of Germany.
War in Denmark (1864) – Bismarck declared war
on Denmark and defeated her with the help of Austria. He did so because the
King of Denmark had merged two German Speaking states Schleswig and Holstein
with Denmark. Bismarck took objection as these were Dutches of German Confederation.
Hence was fought with Denmark with the
help of Austria & Schleswig and Holstein were given to Prussia and Austria.
Austro-Prussian war
(1866) After
the war with Denmark, Schleswig and Holstein ware taken back and their control
was given to Prussia & Austria respectively.
Bismarck systematically
befriended Russia, ensured neutrality of
France and made sure that Italy Supports Prussia, in the eventuality of war
between Prussia and Austria. At last he, as per the plan argued with Austria issue
of administration of Schleswig and Holstein.
Not Only so, he proposed to form a new national assembly of German States and
German Confederation in which Austria could have any role. This naturally
angered Austria and In 1866 war was fought between Prussia and Austria. In this
war Prussian army decisively defeated Austrian army at Sadowa on 3 July 1866.
Austrio-Prussian war (1866) came to an end with the Treaty of Prague. The Austrian
interference in German affairs reduced. Bismarck also helped Italy by handling
over Venetia to her. And northern German states were brought under confederation;
with the king of Prussia becoming the king of this federation.
Franco-Prussian war (1870-1871) The last hurdle in the
path of final unification of Germany was France. Certain circumstances gave an
opportunity to Bismarck to enter into a war with France and also project
Prussia as victim of French policies. There was a revolution in Spain in 19th
century and after that revolution, Prince Leopold was given an offer to become
the Spain. King Leopold was relative of
King of Prussia but Napoleon III put pressure and ensured that Leopold
declines this offer. France and Napoleon Ⅲ were Concerned with rising power of
Prussia and they did not want France surrounded by East and south power of Spain
to north eastern side ruled by King of Prussia. Leopold due to his power
polities between France and Prussia, declined this offer and that is France was
happy but foreign minister of France sent telegram to manager of Prussia asking
him to convince king of Prussia that any other relative of these should not accept
Spain.
But William I refused to
give guarantee. He sent a telegram known as EMS telegram to Bismarck informing
this development. When Bismarck received this telegram he was having dinner
with Von Moltke and von Roon But Bismarck twisted this telegram by changing the
language in such a way that showed that France was abusing, insulting King of
Prussia. These telegrams were published in leading German newspaper, which
angered Prussian people. Hence war became unavoidable. On 19th July
1870, France declared war on Prussia. France had miscalculated the strength of
Prussian army. They not only gave befitting reply to French bus set seized the
capital of France.. Hence France had to accept the defeat and this war Came to
an end by treaty of Frankfurt. This war (1870-71) paved way for final
unification of Germany when southern and northern Germany were united.
On 18th Jan
1871 William I was declared the emperor of unified Germany in famous Hall of
Mirrors in Versailles,
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