German unification was an important stepping stone on the road to World War One. Many factors made this event important including Bismarckęs culture of blood and iron, the role of Germany as an aggressor, alliances that were formed such as the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance, the Franco-Prussian War which made the French hate the Germans for the destruction of France, the power hungry attitude of William II and blunders in foreign policy blunders, and the driving force of nationalism. Because of these reasons German unification was a political land mine which would shape Europe and the world for years to come.
Bismarckęs culture of blood and iron was one factor that led to World War One. Bismarck had always known how much war could do for a country from his experience from the Seven Weeks War and the Franco-Prussian War. This knowledge may have made the Germans more ambitious and ready to fight. As a result, perhaps the Germans jumped the gun declaring war on Britain, Russia, and France and creating the first World War.
Soon after the slaying of Franz Ferdinand, Austrian-Hungary issued Bosnia an impossible ultimatum to stop all anti-Austrian activity, which led to war. The major motivation was Austria-Hungaryęs strong ally, Germany. As a precaution, to defend Serbia, Russia mobilized for war. Germany soon, became the aggressor, however by declaring war on his own cousin, Nicholas II and touching of a family feud of global proportions. In this light, Germany could be seen as the one country who started the entire war.
Another reason for the World War was the creation of alliances such as the Triple Alliance, and the Triple Entente. When Kaiser William II came to power in 1890, William stopped any diplomatic relations with Russia, and threatened Great Britain. As a result, in 1904 the British signed a friendship treaty with France, and later with Russia. This formed the Triple Entente consisting of Russia, Great Britain, and France. On the other side, stood Germanyęs Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary, and Italy, thanks to Otto von Bismarckęs previous diplomatic efforts.
Another precursor to World War One, was the Franco-Prussian War which instilled deep hatred for Germany in the French people. The taking of Alsace and Lorraine, and the humiliating capture of Napoleon III, not only shamed the French, but gave them all one common goal, to destroy Germany. France, however, still reeling from the destruction of Napoleon III, still had two powerful allies, Russia and Great Britain. Bismarck had previously sought to isolate France without these allies. As a result, to defend himself from Franceęs allies, he had joined with Italy in the Triple Alliance.
William II, however, shared a large amount of the blame for the war. Williamęs careless drive for power was one of the major actions that isolated Germany from possible allies such as Great Britain. In the 1890ęs the kaiser began to challenge Britainęs navy, by building his own. As a result, Great Britain also enlarged its royal navy competing with Germany in a naval arms race. Soon, Britain felt threatened by Germany and any hope for an alliance was smashed.
The Kaiser also made substantial foreign policy blunders. When he came to power in 1888, the Kaiser shut off most relations with Russia. As a result, the French developed a relationship with Russia and made the alliance with them in 1894. The Kaiseręs power hungry attitude destroyed many possible alliances with Germany, and left Germany with only two somewhat weak allies.
Finally, nationalism was a force that led to World War One. Nationalism was powerful and had been a driving force in Europe for some time. All these sentiments of loyalty to oneęs country, and not to oneself created a swelling army in all European countries. The unity of Germany created a huge nationalistic feeling in that country. In countries such as Russia and France nationalistic sentiment was prevalent. In Russia for example, the belief that the czar was God on earth made people think they were on a holy crusade instead of just a mere political war. In France, people also felt they were on a holy war, defending their homeland from the evil country of Germany who had once destroyed their country during the Franco-Prussian War. In Great Britain, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, nationalistic feeling was also brewing. Great Britain not only had the greatest naval fleet in all of the world, but a thriving economy. As a result, the British pride was high. Austria-Hungary also was powerful. Their aged emperor Franz-Joseph has annexed both Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908, and when the Russian army stood opposed because of their large Slavic population, all Russia could do nothing because of the risk of war with Austria-Hungaryęs ally, Germany. Italy also swelled with nationalistic fervor. This was another newly created country that had been united under Victor Emmanuel II. Though it struggled economically, the union it formed with Austria-Hungary and Germany evoked a nationalistic sentiment.
In conclusion, German unification played a large role in causing in World War One. Germans were, for one, the aggressors of the war. Without Germany, there would have been no war and Austria-Hungary would possibly have thought twice about declaring war on Bosnia. The alliances of the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance also created a large feeling of hostility among the Great Powers making Europe on the brink of war for many years. The French also had a deep hatred for the Germans because of the Franco-Prussian War and the taking of Alsace and Lorraine. William II also was power hungry which threatened potential allies and created substantial blunders in foreign policy. Finally, the climate of nationalism and the culture of Bismarckęs blood and iron created a volatile Europe which was at the ready for war.
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Kreiger, Larry S., Kenneth Neill, and Steven L. Jantzen World History. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath and Company, 1994