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.
