How the relentless rise of Prussia unified Germany in the 19th century

By 1862, as Bismarck ascended to the position of Prime Minister of Prussia, he was driven by a determination to enhance Prussian power and achieve German national unification.

He believed in something called Realpolitik, an approach that emphasized pragmatism and the pursuit of tangible power over abstract ideals.

He recognized that unification could not be achieved through diplomacy alone; it required the assertion of military supremacy to overcome both internal and external resistance.

Consequently, Bismarck undertook a comprehensive reorganization of the Prussian military.

He transformed it into a highly effective and modernized force that could project power and protect Prussia's interests. 

In 1864, Prussia formed an alliance with Austria against Denmark, which was the first significant step in the unification process.

However, the new alliance ignited the Second Schleswig War, centered on the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, which were longstanding sources of tension between Denmark and the German Confederation.

At its conclusion, Prussia and Austria emerged victorious, and the duchies fell under their joint administration.

However, tensions soon emerged between Prussia and Austria over how these territories should be used, as each side vied for greater influence.

By 1866, Bismarck had prepared Prussia for a direct confrontation with Austria. 

The Austro-Prussian War, also known as the Seven Weeks' War, broke out in June 1866.

The Prussian military was bolstered by superior organization, advanced weaponry, and strategic innovations, and, as a result, achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Königgrätz on July 3, 1866.

This effectively eliminated Austrian influence over the German states. As a result, Austria was forced to accept the terms of the Peace of Prague, which excluded it from German affairs. 

Following this, Bismarck moved swiftly to consolidate Prussian gains. In 1867, he established the North German Confederation, which united the northern German states under Prussian leadership.

Austria was then deliberately excluded from this new political entity, and Bismarck's vision of a Kleindeutschland—a ‘small Germany’ without Austrian involvement—began to take shape.

Increased economic integration among the German states followed, facilitated by the Zollverein, a customs union that played a key role in fostering economic cohesion.

The Zollverein had previously been instrumental in creating economic links among the German states, and it now became a crucial tool in strengthening the unity of the emerging German nation. 

Despite these successes, the predominantly Catholic southern German states remained outside the North German Confederation.

Wary of Protestant Prussian hegemony, these states were reluctant to align themselves with the northern states.

However, Bismarck understood that an external threat could help the unification effort by uniting these states under Prussian leadership and creating a shared sense of purpose. 

In fact, the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 provided precisely such an opportunity.

Due to escalating tensions between France and Prussia, largely driven by French fears of a powerful German state emerging on its eastern border, Bismarck cleverly manipulated the diplomatic situation.

Using the Ems Dispatch, he provoked French Emperor Napoleon III into declaring war on Prussia in July 1870.

The edited dispatch inflamed public opinion in France, which made the war more or less inevitable.

The southern German states, perceiving a common enemy in France, aligned themselves with the North German Confederation, just as Bismark had hoped. 

Once started, the Franco-Prussian War progressed rapidly, with Prussian and allied German forces achieving several decisive victories.

The military campaign culminated in the capture of Napoleon III at the Battle of Sedan on September 1, 1870.

The subsequent siege of Paris further demonstrated the military prowess of the Prussian-led forces, and by January 1871, France capitulated.

This swift success underscored both the strength of the newly reorganized Prussian army and Bismarck's ability to achieve his objectives through calculated military action. 

After France's collapse, German princes gathered in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles on January 18, 1871.

There, they proclaimed the establishment of the German Empire, with King Wilhelm I of Prussia assuming the title of German Emperor.

The choice of Versailles for the proclamation was a deliberate act intended to humiliate France and assert the newfound power of the German state.

In reality, though, the newly formed empire was dominated by Prussia, which was the largest and most influential of the constituent states, both politically and militarily.  

The new German state quickly became an industrial and military powerhouse, with its influence in European and global affairs growing accordingly.

Following unification, Bismarck, who was appointed as the first Chancellor of the German Empire, shifted his focus to maintaining peace in Europe.

He pursued diplomatic engagement aimed at isolating France and preventing hostile coalitions against Germany.

The alliances and treaties that Bismarck forged during this period were designed to preserve the balance of power and secure Germany's position as a dominant force. 

However, the unification of Germany also sowed the seeds of future tensions. Germany's rapid rise as a major power disrupted the established order in Europe.

In turn, it created rivalries and fears among neighboring states. France, humiliated by its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the loss of the valuable region of Alsace and Lorraine, harbored deep resentment towards Germany.

This enmity became a significant factor in the events leading up to World War I.