Unification of Germany

Question 1

1866

Answer 1

Creation of North German Confederation, a loose alliance of states that would facilitate commerce and interactions between North German states.

Also, this was the year of the Indemnity.

Question 2

1870-1871

Answer 2

Franco-Prussian War. It is still debated whether this war was provoked by Bismarck to rally the support of the German states behind him. In any case, it proved to be a humiliating defeat for the French and established Prussia as a dominant European power.

Question 3

Prussian Concerns Over the Unification of Germany

Answer 3

Many. Mainly, Prussia was afraid of losing it’s sovereignty. However, it’s dominance over the new German Reich was established on many levels, starting with the willing recognition of all of the dukes and princes of the German states of the Prussian monarch as the Kaiser.

Question 4

The Case for German Unification

Answer 4

Many reasons favoring the unification of Germany:

(1) Italian unification
(2) Fend-off Austrian influence
(3) Greater trade between German states
(4) Belligerent France

Question 5

Other Elements Against German Unification

Answer 5

Other than Prussian conservative interests, Austria-Hungary and France were naturally concerned with the rise of a powerful empire in Central Europe, their sphere of influence.

Question 6

The Role of the Kaiser in the First Reich

Answer 6

The Supreme Authority. Had Four Main Powers:

(1) Ultimate say over issues of Constitutional interpretation (including the passage of new laws)
(2) Appointing and dismissing ministers (including Chancellor)
(3) A free-hand on international relations
(4) Approving declaration of wars issued by the Bundesrat

Question 7

The Role of the Chancellor in the First Reich

Answer 7

The constitution didn’t grant any real power to the Chancellor - he was granted power by the Kaiser. Effectively, he and the other ministers were occupied with the day-to-day running of the country.