Unification Through Conflict

Germany appeared to have a difficult transformation into a unified state, but this process helped define German identity as a nation. One challenge that Germans faced was dealing with the extensive wars that surrounded Europe during their early beginnings, but these wars also helped develop a sense of nationalism and pride as time passed.

Frederick the Great who was
crowned King of Prussia in 1701

One figure that truly left a mark on German identity and culture was Frederick the Great who crowned himself King of Prussia in 1701 (Schulze 78). Not many people saw him as a legitimate ruler but he proved himself during the Seven Year's War with success when Prussia was quite poor and had little resources (83-4). His actions legitimized Prussia as one of the powers of Europe (which was composed of German land) and also began a trend of pride for the country through war and conflict. This trend of pride helped to unify Germany, which we see in other battles as well.

Another battle sprang up with Napoleon in France who assumed control at one point after a wave of wars in Germany (101). Following Napoleons seize of control, he was overrun when combined forces from Russia, England, Prussia, Sweden, and Austria all came together to take him down (106). It was interesting to see how during these times, military success against the French helped Germans start to unify in a sense of national pride.

Above is a picture of Napoleon I of France who became emperor of France in 1804. 

During the Rhine Crisis of 1840, France made another notion to expand its borders in the direction of Germany and this yet again, sprang up the idea of German nationalism (118). It almost appears that each time German lands went through war or had issues with the French, it would bring them closer as a group of people. This sense of German nationalism started to develop into a liberal movement towards separation an poor harvests of 1846 put things over the edge resulting in famine, migration of cities, overcrowding, and problems with the economy (122). Germans specifically began to speak out more against the government. There was even attempts to draw up a constitution in 1848, when a German national assembly came together to come up with basic freedoms and elect a national government (124). One really interesting thing that illustrates the vastly different people coming together was that the delegates included poets, leaders of wars, historians, and even Catholic priests (124). In 1849, this constitution of the German Reich was an attempt to unify Germany under the rule of the Prussian king, which was unfortunately denied because Frederick William IV did not want to upset the other princes in the area (129). One might notice that even though this constitution was not implemented, it still was a sign that Germans were beginning to really move towards unification.

Assembly in 1848 in Frankfurt to help develop a constitution to unify Germany. 

Another sign of development was industrialization which blew up in Germany in the 1850s. This economic boom brought about lower unemployment, steady wages, and infrastructure development including railroads (132-33).  Modernization in Germany however, also took a toll on old traditions of religion loyalty, and familiar norms which became weakened (134). This trend was a small setback with the whole society in a silent but alarming state of confusion with identity.

The French came to the rescue again in helping Germans gain more nationalism. Napoleon III, nephew of the original Napoleon, attempted to make a rise for power as emperor and challenge the forces in Europe (136). This new French threat yet again helped Germany come together in determination to create a single nation state to have the military power to fight France directly.

Otto Von Bismarck who
became prime minister of
Prussia in 1862

A figurehead named Otto Von Bismarck came to power as prime minister in 1862 was viewed as opposition to the liberal movement in creating a unified German state (138). However, Bismarck true intentions were to create a stronger and unified Prussia at the expense of Austria. Bismarck created an established rule with Austria and Prussia, combining these two forces to rule over Germany (141). Bismarck aimed towards centralized rule in Germany and soon after joining forces, Prussia began to quarrel with Austria over who would become the central power over Germany which creating yet another war conflict. The Battle of Koniggratz in 1866 was the largest European battle of the 19th century where Prussia was successful. This conflict is considered another step towards German unity, because Germans felt an nationalistic pride towards Prussia (141). 

Probably the final conflict that brought Germany together was the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 where southern and northern states of Germans came together with success in bringing the French down once again (145). After the war, the pressure to create a unified Germany not only came from the liberal and middle-class supporters of the separation, but also from the princes. They both came together to crown King William I of Prussia as German emperor in 1871 (145).

Germans went through constant fighting and war conflict throughout Europe in their early beginnings and this not only hindered their progress of becoming unified, but also contributed to the process. Germany came under rule of many different powers, but along the way, they developed a sense of nationalism through military success. We see this sense of nationalism develop from the early stages with Frederick the Great to the Franco-Prussian War that finally resulted in German unity. 

WORD COUNT: 850

Pictures sources:

1. Frederick the Great: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_the_Great
2. Napoleon: https://www.reference.com/history/goal-revolution-did-napoleon-achieve-e805629f17b29098
3. Assembly in Frankfurt: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hist151/StatesNationalities1848&later/album/Germany/slides/Frankfurt%20Assembly%20meeting%20September%2016%201848.html
4. Otto Von Bismarck: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_von_Bismarck