Similarities Between Germany And Russia

Britain, Germany and Russia, three distinct countries, developed into the politically modern states that they are today at different rates and in a plethora of ways. Britain, the first of these countries to develop, had little conflict and gradual development, unlike Germany and Russia. Due to the fact that Britain was the first state to modernize, they faced little pressure or rapid demand for political participation compared to others. German industrialization caused turmoil in the state because they tried to rapidly modernize to catch up to Britain, but were in a location that also was filled with war and religious conflict. Russia faced similar problems to Germany, they partook in rapid industrialization and were a vast state filled with
The two main setbacks in the formation of the German state were uncertain geographic boundaries and religious conflict (Krieger 151). Germany was divided by the Catholics and Protestants which led to a later unification due to the strife between the two. They also lacked natural borders which allowed for more conflict with surrounding areas. Due to their central location, there were many European wars fought in Germany and the constant conflict made it harder to focus on industrializing. These religious and geographic challenges prevented Germany from modernizing and catching up to Britain, all issues that Britain themselves did not face. Then, the European revolutions of 1848 caused war and violence throughout the state, forcing industrialization to be postponed. However, by 1862, Otto von Bismarck began uniting Germany due to a revolution from above. He decided that it was necessary to modernize and industrialize in order to keep up with Britain. Bismarck pushed for organized capitalism and social welfare programs that expanded the country’s bureaucracy (Drogus and Orvis 60). When this unification and economic growth occurred, Germany became one of Britain’s main