Causes Of German Unification

A. The Treaty of Versailles was created as an agreement that Germany would pay for the damage that was produced during World War I. However, it might have been the most important creason of World War II. Many of the leaders saw it coming, yet they just ignored it. B. In what aspects did the Treaty of Versailles impact on World War II? C. The terms of the Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany were impossible to meet which provoked conflict. D. The agreement of the pact inspired Germany’s territorial loss, weakness, and population decrease.

When it comes to the countries that were cause of WWI Germany’s nationalism was reflected by their military and industrial strength, France wanted to regain power over Europe and the other reason was Alsace and Larraine that were give by force to Germany and erg to regain that area was another nationalistic reason for France to go against

The years of 1924-9 for Germany were years of deceptive stability. Stability refers to a well established and firm state. In this context, stability within Germany would be a firmly established political system, a strong economy, no threats from external forces and no major divisions which would have massive implications on Germany. Germany appeared to be in a state of economic recovery but had concealed the ulterior fundamental problems that continued to exist. Germany’s economy as an entirety and parts of German society were still suffering. There was an increase of stability in law and order but there was no strengthening of the political structure of parliamentary democracy. Additionally, German society was extremely divided because of

At the end of World War II, Western European powers sought political stability after a period of turmoil and devastation. Germany was divided into two spheres of influence: East Germany, controlled by the Soviet Union, and West Germany, controlled by the Allies. Western Europe attempted to unify in the post-war economy, and various views arose regarding this potential unity. The unification of Western Europe was met with opinions that were largely motivated by a nation’s own economic and political interests.

Liberal ideas were in favor of the majority in the country so it paved way for further unification as an independent state which emerged from all hierarchy. In order to defeat other powerful enemies, a strong state would have more advantages as it served as a collective defense. Nationalism accelerated the process of unification since it utilized the military force and political support from a large number of patriots and liberalists.

Unification of Italy was a long and convoluted process compared to other nations of Europe. After many of the nations of Europe have banded together to form nation states there were only a couple of countries that have not unified. When the people of Italy decided that it was time to unify their country, there were many different ideas of what a unified Italy would look like.

Germany has been a nation that had been divided for many centuries, the Germanic tribes had avoided being taken over by the Roman Empire, they had been the seat of the Holy Roman Empire, then after the Holy Roman Empire fall, it became a handful of individual kingdoms and states, with Persia and Austria being the biggest contenders to make a unified Germany. Germany in the early 1860’s was divided mostly because of failed politics and religious divides. One man was the most important driving force behind these Germanic kingdoms becoming the superpower that is Germany. Otto von Bismarck, the Minister President of Prussia and a friend to Persian king, Wilhelm I. Prussia had tried for years to unify the nations, but it wasn’t until Bismarck came along that this began to become a reality.

Otto von Bismarck was the first chancellor of the German Empire. He was a master strategist who used realpolitik. As an aristocrat, he “adopted the liberal goal of national unity, giving the German Empire a broad political base” (Background essay). Otto von Bismarck could be considered Machiavelli's model of the ideal ruler in that, he was feared by his people and he used any ends to justify the tactics he used in bringing about the unification of the German states.

The June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbian Black Hand Group, caused Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. As their allies got involved this conflict grew into World War I (WWI). This event wasn’t the real cause of the war, it was just the spark that started it. Most people would say the causes were imperialism, nationalism, alliances and militarism.

Strong nationalistic feelings of pride from the citizens of each European power resulted in a militaristic and economic competition. This created a race between different countries. Germany’s Grand

As a product of the Revolutions of 1848, European sentiment towards Nationalism grew extensively among the middle and lower classes. European ethnic groups and nations desired a self-determined state that represented their group and culture. As a result, both Germany and Italy would experience unification movements within several decades. By 1871, the Italian states would be unified under the Italian tricolour flag; and in the same year, the German states would become integrated into Germany under Wilhelm I of Prussia. Nationalism is both a political and social system in which the nation-state is of utmost importance -- in which nation-states act in their own self-interest and are of full sovereignty. Although nationalism alone played a vital role in the Revolutions of 1848, liberal politics and school of thought would ultimately change the way nationalism would take hold in the unification process -- facilitating both processes in Italy and Germany.

After World War I, Germany was in ruins, Hitler restored Germany and created a superpower. Due to the

“When the peace treaty is signed, the war isn’t over” (Marlantes). When the fighting stopped on the battlefront of World War I many leaders of different countries gathered together in Paris. They were there to discuss the Treaty of Versailles that would ensure permanent peace. The treaty that was created was extremely unfair to Germany. The Treaty of Versailles was far from perfect, but some of the biggest faults were forcing Germany to take the blame for the whole war, demanding they give up all of their colonies and decrease the size of their military, and paying reparations to the Allies. This flawed treaty also attributed to the start of World War II. In part eight of the treaty the blame of World War I is discussed.

The reunification of Germany was the ultimate cause of collapse of the Soviet control over Eastern Europe. Prior to 1990, the Berlin Wall created the divide between the East Bloc and the West Bloc. It was built around West Berlin to stop East Germans fleeing the Communist State. The wall was also viewed as a protective shell around East Berlin while the west presented it as a prison wall.The whole of Communist Europe was swept by revolution in 1989, one by one, all the Communist states were overthrown by democracy, and by 1990, this great divide brought the Eastern European countries solidarity and democracy.

In the late 1920’s, the Nazi party had little success but in 1933, Hitler and the Nazis came to power. Hitler was the leader of a small right-wing party with very extremist ideas. Within a couple of years this party was in control of Germany. The factors that caused Hitler’s success for the rise of Nazism has been studied ever since. Hitler’s organisation skills and personal traits helped to bring the Naizs into power. However, without the socio-economic problems that Germany encountered and the weakness of their political situation, Hitler would not have had the opportunity to come into power and destory democracy in 1933.