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Wednesday, April 29, 2020

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE UNIFICATION OF GERMANY


THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE UNIFICATION OF GERMANY AFTER THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR OF 1870-1871



Initially Germany was divided into two, that is, the German Confederation (an association of 39 German speaking states) and the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.

From 19th July 1870-28th January 1871, there was Franco-Prussian war. The war was between France and Germany. Specifically, it involved the Second French Empire which was later referred to as the Third French Republic and the German states of the North German Confederation, led/dominated by the Kingdom of Prussia.

Prussia was the leading state in the German Empire until its dissolution in 1918. It was the force behind the unification of Germany.

This is why it is referred to as the Franco-Prussian war.

During this time, the chancellor of Prussia was Otto von Bismarck. He is the one who masterminded the unification of Germany in 1871 and the first Chancellor of the German empire.
The conflict was caused by the ambitions of Prussia to expand the German territory. France feared that the European balance of power would shift if Prussia won.
Both sides mobilized their armies on 15th July 1870. This was begun by France the followed by Germany.
The French parliament voted to declare war on Prussia on 16th July 1870 but Prussia was informed about the declaration three days later.
French army invaded German territory on 2nd august. The German coalition (the German Confederation and the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation #SEE THE UNIFICATION!#), mobilized their troops more effectively than the French and invaded northeastern France on 4th august.

Because of the coalition, the German army became superior in number. They were better trained and had good leadership. Also, they were well equipped and were advantaged by their use of modern technology especially railway.

Germany and Prussia realized victories in eastern France as they blockaded Metz and captured the French Emperor Napoleon III. The army of the second empire was completely defeated.
After the war, German states proclaimed their union as the German empire under the Prussian King Wilhelm I, finally uniting most of Germany as a nation-state (excluding Austria)

Germany got regions of Alsace and Lorraine from France after the Treaty of Frankfurt  of 10th May 1871.

The German conquest of French regions of Alsace and Lorraine and the unification of Germany upset the European balance of power that existed since the Congress of Vienna in 1815.
European balance of power here referred to international relations between European countries during the First World War, which evolved into the present states of Europe.
It is important to note that the determination of France to regain Alsace and Lorrain and fear of another Franco-German war along with the apprehension about the balance of power became factors in the causes of World War one.


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