Introduction

After Napoleonic wars, Europe saw waves of pro-democracy revolutions but Monarchies were opposed to the democratic ideas of French revolution and they used nationalism as a shield to defend and even extend their empires. Bismarck thus consolidated his hold on Germany through Franco-Prussian war of 1870.

Franco-German War, also called Franco-Prussian War, (July 19, 1870–May 10, 1871), war in which a coalition of German states led by Prussia defeated France. The war marked the end of French hegemony in continental Europe and resulted in the creation of a unified Germany.

Body

Background

Prussia’s victory over Austria in the Seven Weeks’ War in 1866 had confirmed Prussian leadership of the German states and threatened France’s position as the dominant power in Europe.

• The immediate cause of the Franco-German War, however, was the candidacy of Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (who was related to the Prussian royal house) for the Spanish throne, which had been left vacant when Queen Isabella II had been deposed in 1868. The
• Prussian chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, and Spain’s de facto leader, Juan Prim, persuaded the reluctant Leopold to accept the Spanish throne in June 1870.
• This move greatly alarmed France, who felt threatened by a possible combination of Prussia and Spain directed against it.

The Franco-Prussia War: Timeline

• Bismarck’s Prussia first fought a war in 1864 in alliance with Austria against Denmark to annex most of the territory of German Confederation.
• Bismarck knew Austria was a major obstacle to unification. To succeed in his aims, Bismarck declared war against Austria in 1866. This War led to the defeat of the neighbouring States of Austria like Bavaria, Saxon etc. and then Austria. To isolate Austria, Bismarck built up alliances with other major powers- Russia, France and Italy.
• The Treaty of Prague and formation of Germany: After the Austro-Prussian War, the ‘Treaty of Prague’ was concluded between Austria and Prussia in 1866. According to this treaty Austria was expelled from Germany. After the treaty of Prague the formation of Germany was started.

• In 1867, Bismarck formed the North German Confederation. It united 22 German states but excluded the Southern German states like Bavaria, which remained independent. The constitution of this Confederation made the Prussian King the hereditary head of the state.

Unification: Bismarck’s Role

• With Austria weakened, Bismarck now turned his attention to the other great stumbling block to unification- France. France had watched Prussia’s growing power with alarm. France was heavily defeated in the Franco-Prussian War. The circumstances leading to the war caused the southern German states to support Prussia. This alliance led to the unification of Germany.
• Annexation: The states of Schleswig, Holstein, Hanover, Nassaa and Frankfurt were annexed to Prussia. The States north to May River were annexed to Prussia and the North German Confederation was formed.
• Unification: In the build up to war, the southern confederate German states voluntarily joined the Prussian-controlled Northern German Confederation. Germany was now unified.
• The Southern states followed a pro-Austria policy but were forced to unite after the German victory in Franco-Prussian war of 1870.

Conclusion

Unification of Germany was not one single event but a process which occurred in phases. Bismarck had played a major role in unification and nation building of Germany through his policies, military reforms, speeches and isolation strategies.