Unification+of+Germany

Describe the political, social and economic methods Bismarck used to unite Germany.

Summary
Otto Von Bismarck took many steps to unify Germany. He united Germany economically, socially, and politically.

Bismarck united Germany economically by creating the Zollverein in 1834. This was a customs union which alowed for the removal of taxes on products which were traded between German states. The removal of these tariffs inspired business oriented people to support the unification of Germany. This also lead and encouraged growth of the railroads connecting the German states. Bismarck also knew he could gain the most money for the government by uniting Germany. Another aspect of unifying Germany was bring people together socially. Borther's Grimm's stories and Teutonic Knights gave people a common Germanic Culture. Stories such as "Little Red Cap" represented the history of Germany using symbolism. Bismarck politically united Germany. His philosophy on government was practical rather tahn idealistic. His policies based on the interests of Prussia, would become known as realpolitik. Realpolitik was doing whatever necessary to achieve the goal. His realistic politics first were to increase the power of the Prussian military. He once said that German unity would be won by "blood and iron". Bismarck was involved in many wars so he could achieve his goal of unification. THese wars include the Danish War, 7 Weeks War, and the Franco-Prussian War. This gained new territory to control for Bismarck. This new German empire prospered. A new government was creasted in which power was divided and shared between the 25 new states and the government. Otto Von Bismarck also felt taht the government, and not the Roman Catholic Church, should be in charge of culutal aspects such as education. He worked to pass laws taht limited the Church's influence. This was known as Kulturkampf, or the struggle for culutre. Another change Germany endured after unification was economic growth. After the Franco-Prussian War, France paid money for the damages caused to Germany. THis money was used to build railroads liking the German states. It was also used to build German businesses. This flourishing empire was quickly catching up to the other industrialized counties of Europe, and coal mines along with steel factories became very sucessful throughout Germany's major cities. Germany faced many changes after unification.