CCEA A-Level History 4010
England 1509–58AS Unit 1
England 1603–49AS Unit 1
Britain in the Age of Reform 1830–80AS Unit 1
Italy and Germany 1815–71AS Unit 1
Germany 1919–45AS Unit 1
Spain and Europe 1556–98AS Unit 2
The Ascendancy of France in Europe 1660–1714AS Unit 2
Ireland 1823–67AS Unit 2
France 1815–70AS Unit 2
Russia 1914–41AS Unit 2
Italy's Quest for Great Power Status 1871–1943AS Unit 2
Crown and Parliament in England 1625–1714A2 Unit 1
Ireland Under the Union 1800–1900A2 Unit 1
The Causes and Consequences of Great Power Conflict 1848–1945A2 Unit 1
The American Presidency 1901–2000A2 Unit 1
Clash of Ideologies in Europe 1900–2000A2 Unit 1
England 1558–1603A2 Unit 2
Ireland 1685–1714A2 Unit 2
Ireland 1778–1803A2 Unit 2
Partition of Ireland 1900–25A2 Unit 2
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.
How did the Crimean War change the European situation for Prussia?
Explain Britain's attitude to German unification.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 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
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
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
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
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
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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