Bismarck contribution to the unification of Germany

Bismarck was a man with outstanding diplomatic skills and admirations to achieve exactly what he desired without compromise. In the earlier years of Bismarck's political career he desired aristocratic rule and complete loyalty to the 'Junker', rich, landowning aristocratic Prussian's. As Bismarck's political experience grew his views changed and he felt it necessary to move away from aristocratic rule and formed a view similar to nationalism. Many believe this was to simply give his own state of Prussia more power. Bismarck also desired better foreign policy. He was a reckless politician and went too extremes to achieve his goals.

Otto von Bismarck was born at Schönhausen, north-west of Berlin. His early life was wild and although attending university he was not studious and drank and gambled much of his wealth. Later in his life he undertook a religious conversion and took a keen interest in politics. In 1848 King William IV, King of Prussia made an attempt to unify the northern states which included Prussia. Austria was strongly oppose to the unification movement because they would loose all power and they would be a small empire on their own surrounded by larger and more powerful empires such Germany, France and Britain. Austria was willing to go to war with Prussia although King William IV decided it was not worth the blood shed. Many people across Prussia criticised King Williams actions and felt he should preserver and fight the Austrian opposition . Bismarck felt the same way and thought war was not necessary at that stage. Bismarck's support to King William gained him much creditability and he was appointed as a Prussian envoy to attend the confederate Diet in Frankfurt, the diet was a forum for diplomats and envoys to express the view of their states. The confederate Diet of 1851 caused many problems for peace in Europe because it clearly illustrated to Bismarck that there was not enough 'elbow room' for Austria and Prussia to coexist peacefully. Whilst Austria worried about the threat of a unified Germany Bismarck felt it necessary for unification. If Germany could become unified all states would improve economically due to better trade relations and power due to the increased size and population of the empire. Unification seemed very appealing to Bismarck because Prussia would be in the centre of the union and trade and transport networks would revolve around Prussia.

By 1862 Bismarck was the Prime Minister of Prussia. Bismarck was appointed out of sheer desperation according to many liberals and many believed he would cause chaos. Bismarck undertook everything needed to unify Germany. The main ingredient for unification was money to fund war efforts. Bismarck collected taxes and was able to create an army fit to take on any opposition in the area. These armies needed to be ready at all stages as peace was an uncertainty.

Once Bismarck had stabilised Prussia and injected money into armed forces he told Austrian ministers that relations needed to improve if peace was going to continue. Bismarck also told the ministers that they should move their ideals towards Hungary and give up all desires to be an influential player in the German region. Prussia almost had a monopoly over the Northern states and it needed Austria to persist in the east to give Prussia no opposition in the north. Bismarck found this situation very simple, Austria obeys or Austria goes to war with Prussia. Austria's ignorance inevitably caused a quick quarrel. This Austrian-Prussian conflict is known as the Seven weeks' War. After the war there was a new confederation made which was called the North German Confederation and it did not consist of Austria. Austria was an important member of the previous German confederation.

Bismarck needed to balance power in the Diet and the recently formed bicameral system of parliament in Prussia. Bismarck was a master politician and he managed to persuade all in his opposition and still moved forward in the unification process.

After Austria's defeat in the Seven Weeks' War Bismarck insisted that Prussia and its allies try to mend relations with Austria in case of war with France. Some politicians wanted to march troops through the capital of Austria and humiliate them over their defeat. Bismarck had already sought peace in order to have Austria and her allies for future wars with France. Humiliation and embarrassment which was desired by many politicians would only create an everlasting enemy.

This defeat against Austria gained Bismarck much support in parliament and he passed legislation in order to continue his high expenditure on military matters.

Bismarck tried to persuade the southern German states to join the northern confederacy although they felt no need and it was easier to remain as they were. Bismarck felt if he posed a threat to both the northern and southern states, the southern would join the north for protection. In 1870 Bismarck provoked hostilities with the French by editing an important diplomatic exchange between Prussia and France to sound insulting and hostile towards the French. French politicians were infuriated and declared war on Prussia. Bismarck often infuriated his opposition in order to agitate countries and in the public eye look innocent.

France was defeated and the southern states joined the northern confederacy to make the "German Confederacy ", Bismarck was made Chancellor and King William IV was crowned emperor on the steps of Versailles.

Bismarck with his keen intellect and determination led Prussia and the other 39 German states into a Unified Germany. Under unification the empire grew industrially and economically. Germany becomes a very powerful on a broader scale. Bismarck was possibly the most influential person in the German Unification and due to he persistence and determination the German states won all-round being part of one of the most industrialised nations on earth. Bismarck instigated conflicts and manipulated people of higher hierarchal positions in order to achieve what he wanted.