Explain the Unification of Germany. OR Why is Otto von Bismarck called the Architect of the Unification of Germany?
- The nationalist feeling was widespread among middle-class Germans, who tried to unite the different regions of the German confederation into a nation-state governed by an elected parliament.
- Initially, this liberal initiative was repressed by the combined forces of the monarchy and the military, supported by the large landowners (called Junkers) of Prussia.
- From this time on, Prussia took on the leadership of the movement for National Unification. Its Chief Minister, Otto von Bismarck, was the architect of this process carried out with the help of the Prussian army and the bureaucracy.
- Three wars over seven years – with Austria, Denmark, and France ended in a Prussian victory and completed the process of unification.
- In January 1871, the Prussian king, William I ( Kaiser William I) was proclaimed the German Emperor in the Hall of mirrors in the Palace of Versailles.