CBSE Class 10 Answered

Role of Bismarck in unification of Germany:

1. Bismarck initiated many military reforms that allowed successful wars in later time. In the 1850s, Bismarck wanted to build up Prussia’s army to be ready if war broke out with the other German states or Austria. To do this Bismarck collected money for military reforms through direct taxation. These reforms included an increase in army conscription from two to three years, introduction of new battle tactics and introduction of weapons such as the needle gun.
2. Bismarck made numerous speeches in public to rattle the feeling of nationalism inside the German people. This was done in order to arouse a sense of nation among people.
3. He successfully isolated other countries by making them look like aggressors. 
4. To counter Prussia’s growing influence, Austria tried to strengthen its position in the German Federation. Bismarck thwarted Austria’s plans by insisting on popular elections to the Diet (the Federation’s Parliament). 
5. After the Austro-Prussian War, the ‘Treaty of Prague’ was concluded between Austria and Prussia in 1866. According to this treaty Austria was expelled from Germany. After the treaty of Prague the formation of Germany was started. 
6. With Austria weakened, Bismarck now turned his attention to the other great stumbling block to unification- France. France had watched Prussia’s growing power with alarm. France was heavily defeated in the Franco-Prussian War. The circumstances leading to the war caused the southern German states to support Prussia. This alliance led to the unification of Germany.
7. The states of Schleswig, Holstein, Hanover, Nassaa and Frankfort were annexed to Prussia. The States north to May River were annexed to Prussia and the North German Confederation was formed.
8. In the build up to war, the southern confederate German states voluntarily joined the Prussian-controlled Northern German Confederation. Germany was now unified.