The rise of Germany in Europe

Rise of Germany began in the 19th century when a revolution was witnessed in Europe around 1866. Prussia played an important role in the rise of Germany. Under the rule of Frederick the Great in the middle of 18th century emerged a new powerful Prussia that had once been divided into hundreds of little states that had no real power individually. Together however it gave birth to Prussia, the most powerful force in Europe in the 19th century. Prussia had a large territory under its control, followed by new German Confederate that had 8 states under its rule. Germans were thus divided into three major blocs: Prussia, German Confederation and German Austria.

At the turn of the century, Germany along with France had the most dominant place in European region. There was a consistent tug of war for dominance and Prussia with all its preparation and power overcame France very easily. France had been suffering from financial troubles from series of wars on its land and Prussia could see how frail France had become. The defeat of France was thus "swift and dramatic. The Germans invaded France in August, one great French army under the Emperor capitulated at Sedan in September, another surrendered in October at Metz, and in January 1871, Paris, after a siege and bombardment, fell into German hands. Peace was signed at Frankfort surrendering the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to the Germans. Germany, excluding Austria, was unified as an empire, and the King of Prussia was added to the galaxy of European Caesars, as the German Emperor." (Wells, p.371)

The defeat of France played an exceptional role in the rise of Germany. Bismarck understood the importance of defeating France because around the globe, Prussia was already seen as being a more dominant force than France and thus the only thing left was to actually defeat France. "Bismarck knew that the strength of the French army existed only on paper and actually it was in a deplorable state of preparedness; whereas the military preparations of Prussia were well-nigh as perfect as they could be made by mortal hands and brains" (Benedict, p. 12). France committed suicide when it declared war on Germany in 1870 but it really had no option left. Germany had done everything to isolate France through diplomatic and military channels. The only way to breakthrough was by declaring war but this is exactly what Prussia had desired.

Russia that had once been a major power in Europe was significantly weakened in the middle of the 19th century and "From the end of the Crimean war in 1856 to the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the question of which of the Great Powers would take its place was wide open" (Sperber, p. 6). The question was finally answered by the outcome of Franco-Prussian war.

The Franco-Prussian war brought the fragmented German nationality into a solid mould. It helped in achieving the national coherence that Germany had been looking for. Instead of being divided into various blocs, German people were finally united under one union and this had a huge impact on power and dominance of Germany on the world scene. "Close political union with Austria meant close political union with that section of German nationality within Austria. Complete political unity of the German nationality had been achieved; the whole world was now its arena." (Benedict, p. 14)