Evaluate the importance of Bismarck to Unification

Question 1

Argument:

Answer 1

This essay will argue that the Zollverein was the most significant factor in achieving German unification by 1871

Question 2

Zollverein

Answer 2

Raube

o Between 1832-1847, 1,500 miles of railways are built

Common tariffs and currencies made

o By 1836, included 24 states with 26 million people

• Unified currency
• Economic advantage over Austria for war

o Prussia had 15,000 steam engines with total 800,000 horsepower compared to Austria’s 3,400 steam engines with 100,000 horsepower

Question 3

Perspectives on the Zollverein

Answer 3

Criticisms could be made:

James Shehaan questions this

It was in economic interests to go to the zollverein but not necessarily meant under Pr rule

Austrian Prussian War of 1866 - most Zollverein partners sided with Austria

Question 4

Weaknesses of Austria

Answer 4

Weaknesses of Austria
- Austria had to deal with many different cultures and languages

o 1.5 million Czechs, 3.3 million Hungarians, Italians, Serbs, etc…

o Official language was German, though only 2 provinces had German speaking majority

 Managing such a wide range of nationalities would prove difficult and expensive

• Financial issues

o Potato Blight in 1846-47

 Cereal prices increased 50%

• Created great economic issues within Austria and increased discontent within the population
  o Economic issues perpetuated by revolutions in 1848-49
   Cost of repression revolutions around US$2bn
  o Led to Austria being on the verge of Bankruptcy with a growing debt

Question 5

Lack of Allies

Answer 5

• Lacked allies
  o Lost Russia as an ally after failing to back them in Crimean War
   Prussia, on the other hand, secured a secret alliance with Italy (1866) which would help secure
• Although weak, alliance meant Austria needed to fight on 2 fronts
  o Gave Prussia number advantage at Sadowa (221,000 vs 206,000)

Question 6

Bismarck

Answer 6

• Foreign policy: Wars of Unification

o Stirred up tensions with Austria over Holstein - on June 9th 1866, sent
Prussian army into Holstein hoping to start war

 Did not immediately but eventually led to war

 However, Bismarck’s role can be questioned – in starting war, many states mobilised against Prussia and not against Austria as Bismarck had hoped
* Gave ultimatum to 3 northern states

o Rejected and Prussia invaded them

 Nevertheless, led to 7-week war

• Prussian victory with most significant battle being at Sadowa

o Austria lost 45,000 troops compared to Prussia who lost 9,000

 Ultimately led to removal of Austria – Austria lost control of Bund, replaced by North German Confederation which is controlled by Prussia

Question 7

Criticisms of Bismarck

Answer 7

o However, victory here can be contributed to the effective mobilisation of troops as Prussian army only 214,000 vs Austria army of 275,000

 Extensive railways (11,000 Prussia vs 4,000 Austria) allowed for effective army and military genius of Moltke

More to do with economics than anything else