Bismarck's role in the unification of Germany.
Bismarck's role in the unification of Germany.
Bismarck's role in the unification of Germany.
Otto von Bismarck was the main figure in the establishment of a unified Germany. During his eight-year term as Prime Minister of Prussia and nearly twenty years as Prime Minister of Germany, he played a major role in establishing the unity of Germany. Earlier, attempts were made to unify Germany through liberal means; but they were unsuccessful. Therefore, instead of the liberal movement, Bismarck adopted a strict policy of "blood and iron". Then, Bismarck unified Germany through various wars such as the war with Denmark, the war with Austria, the war with France, etc.
1. Bismarck's ideological position: -
In ideological terms, Bismarck was in favor of a strict position. He was a supporter of monarchy. Therefore, he wanted to unify Germany under the Prussian monarchy. Moreover, considering the political situation in Germany at that time, he considered autocracy to be better than democracy. Therefore, to establish the unity of Germany on a solid basis, he adopted the policy of blood and iron.
2. War with Denmark:-
In 1863, a political crisis arose in the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein. Bismarck wanted to use this problem to establish German unity. Because, the inhabitants of Holstein were mostly Germans. On the other hand, the Germans thought that Schleswig belonged to Holstein. Bismarck demanded that both the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein be included in Germany. Then the joint forces of Prussia and Austria defeated Denmark.
3. Treaty of Gastein 1865:-
Although Denmark was defeated in the war, a dispute arose between Prussia and Austria over the rights of the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein. Then in 1865, the Treaty of Gastein was signed between Austria and Prussia. By this treaty, Schleswig came under the control of Prussia and Holstein came under the control of Austria. In addition, in exchange for money, Austria gave up the Lauenburg region of Holstein to Prussia. The Treaty of Gastein is very important from a diplomatic point of view. Because, in the context of this treaty, Bismarck started preparing for war with Austria.
4. Preparation for war against Austria: -
Bismarck considered the Treaty of Gastein to be - to paper over the cracks, that is, to close the cracks with paper. In the context of the Treaty of Gastein, Bismarck realized that war with Austria was inevitable in the future to achieve German unity. Therefore, he took various steps to strengthen Prussia diplomatically. For example -
(a) He gained the support of France by promising to give Belgium or the Rhine region to the French Emperor Napoleon III.
(b) He brought Italy to his side by promising to give Venetia to Italy.
(c) He gained the support of Russia by helping Russia suppress the Polish uprising.
5. Battle of Sadovaya: -
Then Bismarck withdrew his representatives from the German Confederation and declared war on Austria. Prussia was supported by France, Italy and Russia, and Bavaria, Saxony and other small states supported Austria. However, Prussia's combined military power was stronger than Austria's. Then in 1866, Austria was defeated in just two weeks at the Battle of Sadovaya. The main importance of the Battle of Sadovaya was that the entire German Empire was subordinated to Prussia as a result of the Battle of Sadovaya.
6. Treaty of Prague:-
Finally, the Treaty of Prague ended the War of Sadovaya. The terms of the Treaty of Prague were -
(a) A North German Union would be formed under the leadership of Prussia.
(b) The states south of the Main River would form their own confederation.
(c) Prussia would withdraw from the German Confederation.
(d) Italy would gain the territory of Venetia.
(e) Austria would be obliged to pay compensation to Prussia for the war.
(f) The regions of North Germany like Hanover, Frankfurt, Nassau etc. will be included in Prussia.
(g) Both the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein will be included in Prussia.
7. War against France:-
Although North Germany was united by the Treaty of Gastein and the Treaty of Prague, French dominance was still in South Germany. Then Bismarck realized the importance of the war with France. The ruling power in Prussia was in the hands of the Hohenzollern dynasty. France thought that if both Prussia and Spain came to power under the Hohenzollern dynasty, it would be against the political interests of France. Therefore, France never wanted the Hohenzollern dynasty to establish supremacy on the throne of Spain. For this purpose, France continued to oppose Prussia and the war between Prussia and France became inevitable.
8. Bismarck's Conspiracy:-
In this situation, Bismarck showed great diplomatic skills. He used Prussian money and his own influence to force Queen Isabella of Spain to abdicate. Bismarck took control of the Spanish Parliament and the Spanish Parliament proposed Prince Leopold of the Hohenzollern dynasty to ascend the Spanish throne. This incident created a great sensation in France.
9. Ems Telegram:-
In this situation, France remembered Austria and on the orders of the Austrian Emperor Napoleon III, he sent an envoy named Count Benedetti to the Prussian Emperor William I. William I was resting in the city of Ems at this time. Count Benedetti demanded a bond from the Prussian Emperor William I that the Prussian succession to the Spanish throne would not be established. But William I agreed to the proposal but refused to give the bond. Count Benedetti informed Bismarck of this incident through a telegram.
10. Battle of Sedan:-
The clever Bismarck changed some parts of the telegram and published it in the newspaper. The meaning of the telegram completely changed and it meant that the Prussian Emperor William I had insulted and expelled the French ambassador. This incident created a strong reaction in France and France declared war on Prussia. There was a huge difference between Prussia and France in terms of military power. Because, Bismarck had previously made France unalienable in Europe through diplomacy. In addition, Bavaria and other southern states left France and joined Prussia. As a result, France's defeat in the war was inevitable.
11. Treaty of Frankfurt 1871:-
Finally, the Treaty of Frankfurt ended the Battle of Sedan. The Treaty of Frankfurt stipulated -
(a) France was forced to cede Metz, Alsace and Nord to Germany.
(b) It was forced to pay 5 billion francs as war indemnity to Prussia.
(c) It was decided that the German army would remain stationed in various parts of France until the indemnity was paid.
12. The emergence of Germany as a fully unified state: -
Bismarck's extraordinary prudence and diplomatic skills achieved the unification of the whole of Germany in just three wars. After the war with Denmark, the Schleswig region was included in Prussia by the Treaty of Gastein; after the war with Austria at Sadovaya, the North of Germany was unified by the Treaty of Prague; after the war with France at Sedan, the whole of South Germany was unified by the Treaty of Frankfurt and the Prussian Emperor William I was declared as the Chancellor of Germany.
0 comments