2.6 ESSAY 

 

Explore factors that have contributed to the formation of individual or group identity and ways the identity was expressed in an historical setting.  Describe characteristics of the individual or group identity.

 

Factors which led to the creation of a unified Germany:	Identity expressed:	Characteristics of  individual or group:
Bismarck believed in the need for a strong Germany So as not to the “meat in the sandwich” e.g. France/Prussia/      Russia German states shared a common history, language, culture, and custom Bismarck was a driving factor in the creation of Germany	Bismarck tests his own strength and other countries reactions to reclaiming German peoples. Eg Danish Question, 7weeks war. Franco-Prussian war was the ultimate test Treaty of Versailles 1871 United Germany	United by Nationalism Needed to be seen as strong because in the middle of Europe. Made alliances with surrounding countries to ensure safety. Aim to secure borders, rather than be imperialistic.

 

 

 

There were a number of factors which contributed to the creation of a united Germany (previously a confederation of German states).  This unification occurred in 1871 under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck.  He was able to bring the various German states together by tapping into the ideology of nationalism.  Unification was seen as necessary to ensure the security of the German states in an ever increasingly imperialistic Europe.

 

Prussian Chancellor – Otto von Bismarck was key to the formation of a united Germany.  He was a keen nationalist who not only believed in uniting the German states, but also dreamt of Prussia retaining the most power of all of the states.  As the German states were in central Europe and surrounded by potentially hostile countries, Bismarck was determined to employ nationalism to encourage the smaller states to join forces with a strong Prussia.  Nationalism drew on the idea of a common history, language, culture and custom to bring the states together.

 

Before a united Germany could be established, Bismarck needed to test the military strength of the confederation and the countries surrounding it.  Prussia first tested itself against Denmark, in what became known as the Danish Question (1864).   Prussia asked Austria for assistance to liberate the northern Germans living in the Danish states – Schleswig and Holstein.  Austria assisted Prussia as a fellow member of the German Confederation and secured the Danish states for Prussia. Bismarck had passed his first test of military power.

 

Bismarck’s next step towards creating a united Germany was to provoke a war with Austria.  The Austrian-Prussian war (aka Seven Weeks War) was needed to expel Austria-Hungary from the German Confederation because Austria was the greatest threat to Prussia dominance of a unified Germany.  Using the excuse of Austria-Hungary’s military movement in Bohemia, Bismarck chose to be offended by Austria-Hungary.  War was then declared and Prussia was able to successfully defeat Austria-Hungary.  Prussia had now proved itself to be the strongest in the Confederation.  Bismarck now looked further to see what other opposition there was to a unified Germany.

 

The final obstacle to the unification of Germany was yet another provoked conflict.  France had nervously watched an increasingly powerful Prussia (on its border) defeat the Danes and then the Austrians.  Consequently France was anxious about a united Germany with Prussian as the most powerful. 

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