16.1.1

A United Germany

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A United Germany

The German states were unified in 1871 after winning the Franco-Prussian War. Germany then became so powerful that it began to threaten other European states.

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Unified Germany

  • Before 1871, the country of Germany did not exist.
  • Instead, there was only a collection of separate and independent states.
  • They became a united 'empire' in 1871 by winning the Franco-Prussian war against France.
  • Germany now had greater strength to develop.
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Balance of power

  • This new country, Germany, was a threat to the balance of power in Europe.
  • The reasons for this included:
    • Germany had industrialised very quickly and was seeing fast economic growth.
    • Germany had an experienced and strong military because of the wars they fought before unification in 1871.
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Alliances

  • The German leaders wanted to consolidate Germany, not cause difficulties by challenging other nations.
  • They wanted to keep the balance of power stable in Europe so there would be no war.
  • To make sure that there was peace in Europe, they began a series of alliances with European powers.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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