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Italy and Germany 1815–71

The international climate and why Germany was unified

  • 3 things to know
  • AS Unit 1

Overview

Britain's attitude to German unification, napoleon III's chief miscalculations and argument that the Prussian army was the decisive factor.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Evaluation

Explain the argument that the Prussian army was the decisive factor.

Numbers

How did the Crimean War change the European situation for Prussia?

Numbers

Explain Britain's attitude to German unification.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How did the Crimean War change the European situation for Prussia?

    Model answer

    The Crimean War broke up the conservative partnership of Russia, Austria and Prussia that had held since 1815, and for a generation afterwards no combination of powers existed that was both willing and able to stop Prussia.

  2. 2

    Why was Russia unwilling to intervene against Prussia in the 1860s?

    Model answer

    Russia was absorbed in reform after the emancipation of the serfs, resentful of Austria's conduct in the Crimean War, grateful for Prussian sympathy during the Polish rising of 1863, and hoping for Prussian help in overturning the Black Sea clauses.

  3. 3

    Explain Britain's attitude to German unification.

    Model answer

    Britain was preoccupied with empire, trade and reform at home, had been humiliated by its failure to help Denmark in 1864, and regarded a stronger Prussia as a useful check on France rather than a danger.

  4. 4

    How did Napoleon III's other commitments help Prussia?

    Model answer

    French troops and money had been spent in Italy, in Mexico and on the garrison protecting the Pope in Rome, and Napoleon III's health and popularity were both failing by the time the crisis came.

  5. 5

    Outline Napoleon III's chief miscalculations.

    Model answer

    Napoleon III expected a long war in 1866 that would leave him as arbiter, took no written promise of compensation, and in 1870 assumed the southern states would stay neutral and that Austria and Italy would join him.

  6. 6

    How did Austria's internal problems weaken it?

    Model answer

    Austrian finances were near collapse, Lombardy had been lost in 1859, and after the settlement with Hungary in 1867 the empire's attention turned towards the east rather than Germany.

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