German unification
The counter-revolution, articulated by reactionary sectors of both Austria as of Prussia, temporarily crushed the demonstrations in favor of German unification.However, this problem affected all layers of society.
The industrial development of the country and the growth of the power of the German states were dependent on this unification. For industry, the unification meant a market of large, able to sustain its development, and government protection against English competition. The nobles dreamed of building a powerful German Empire, ruled by a strong imperial house.
Frustrated the attempt to unify the revolution, the only way out was to Prussia, the most powerful German state, to lead a process of unification to put all the German states under the rule of the House of Hohenzollern (family that ruled Prussia).
In 1834 under the leadership of the Prussian government, it had formed the Zollverein, unifying the consumer market for several German states. Benefit from this market expansion, the Prussian industries had a period of great growth and development. In the 1860s, they were the first major German urban-industrial centers.
With the death of Frederick William IV ascended the throne of Prussia William 1, his brother, who appointed as prime minister Otto von Bismarck, the great architect of German unification. Bismarck, a member of the Prussian aristocracy, was a political conservative, supporter of a strong monarchy and concentrated in the hands of the king.
His domestic policy had two objectives: the unification of Germany by an extensive rail network to put in direct contact all regions of a future empire: and modernization of the army.
These objectives favored the industrial development of Prussia, since the roads of ironand the new army weapons constituted formidable consumer market for steel and German metal industries.
To achieve the unification of Germany under the Prussian king's authority. Bismarck took advantage of the existing rivalries between the great powers of Europe at the time: England, Austria and Russia. In 1864. allied to Austria in a war against the Danish duchies dominating Holstein and Schleswig. in northern Germany.Schleswig passed under the rule of Prussia and Holstein was with Austria.
In 1866, the Prussian army advanced on Holstein. Austria was involved in a war against the kingdom of Piedmont. in Italy, and worried about an imminent Hungarian uprising.Therefore signed a disadvantageous peace.giving Prussia control of all the northern territories of Germany.
This war against Austria also consolidated the Prussian authority over the northern territories of Germany who had participated in the war. In 1867 Prussia created the Confederation of North Germanic, whose member states have accepted the Prussian king's authority.
Category: General history
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