An evaluation of the reasons why unification was achieved in Germany, by 1871

Otto von Bismarck, known as the Iron Chancellor, was the key figure in German unification. His policies – called Realpolitik – prioritised practical considerations over ideological ones.
Bismarck aimed to strengthen the power of Prussia. His policy was to ‘exclude Austria’ from German affairs and he provoked three wars to achieve this.
He carefully managed these conflicts – Danish War (1864), Austro-Prussian War (1866), and the Franco-Prussian War (1870) – to steadily increase Prussian influence and prestige.
Following the victory in the Franco-Prussian War, the southern German states decided to join the North German Confederation. Bismarck was then able to proclaim the German Empire with King Wilhelm I of Prussia as emperor in 1871.

Prussia’s economic strength played a vital role in the unification of Germany. The Prussian kingdom was at the heart of the German industrial revolution, and its financial clout allowed it to build strong, modern armies.
The Zollverein, the German customs union established in 1834, contributed to the appeal of a unified Germany. It promoted economic growth and increased trade between the German states, making unity more enticing.

The spirit of nationalism was crucial, fuelled by shared language, culture, and the idea of a single, great German nation.
The 1848 revolutions had revealed a strong desire for unity among the German people – this created the socio-political conditions for Bismarck’s unification efforts.
The humiliation by France in the Franco-Prussian War united Germans against a common enemy, fostering a sense of nationalist pride.

Austria had traditionally been the dominant power in the German region but was weakened by military defeats and economic problems.
The Austro-Prussian War of 1866 resulted in the expulsion of Austria from the German Confederation and the establishment of Prussian dominance.
The Peace of Prague ensured that Austria would not interfere with German affairs, clearing the path for German unification under Prussian leadership.

Bismarck capitalized on international developments to further the course of unification. For instance, France’s preoccupation with Italian Unification eased the aftermath of the Austro-Prussian War.
After the Franco-Prussian War, France’s loss and subsequent compensation to Germany gained the southern states’ trust on Prussia, accelerating unification.