IB History Bismarck and the Unification of Germany
“To what extent was the political unification of Germany due to a) the growth of the Zollverein, b) Bismarck’s diplomacy and wars?” Unification was a fervent desire amongst the Germans, and with or without the Zollverein, Germany was predisposed to unification. However, once the Zollverein came into being, it played an immensely important role - Whilst the political unification of Germany was being secured by military force of the unshakable Prussian army, the basis of the unification had been laid down years before 1871. ... Bismarck provided the role as the facilitator and the Zollverein was a catalyst towards unification; it showed the people the benefits, thus paved the path for unification and stirred the German national feelings and common cultural threads. ... Although the Zollverein merely started out for economic reasons, political unification of Germany would eventually be brought about by Prussia. The cooperation between the German states due to the Zollverein encouraged the liberals and the nationalists and made their dreams of a politically united Germany seem closer. They too, saw the Zollverein as a starting point towards political unification. ... It may be that the Zollverein was used to ensure that Prussia, not Austria would become the dominant state in Germany. ... This war was one of the 3 main wars commanded by Otto von Bismarck to achieve unification of Northern Germany. Bismarck certainly played a key role is securing a united Germany. ... Bismarck is an example of one of these leaders.