... converts from being a romantic theory that aimed to give self-determination to people, into a racist concept that claimed racial superiority over other nations. Furthermore, in a continent which even after the horror of the Holocaust has recently experienced ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, it is not surprising that nationalism still remains a topical issue within Europe that sustains the interest of historians ... . Moreover, the German and Italian question shows nationalism as a unifying factor, and not a disintegrating one, which was a common feature during the twentieth century and which s...

• Word Count: 3402
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... . Eventually, southern German states were included as nationalism rose through fighting the Franco-Prussian War. The Ems Dispatch, a telegram describing the course of an encounter between French Ambassador, Vincent Benedetti, and Prussian King, Wilhelm I, was a powerful catalyst of the war. The two diplomats met unofficially to discuss the succession of the Spanish throne. Prussian Prince Leopold was a candidate. This was ... unacceptable to the French, who feared encirclement of Prussian influence. Shortly after the Ems Dispatch was released to the public, France declared war on Prussia...

• Word Count: 1097
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... Holy Roman Empire. Although losing eastern territory to Russia, Prussia was doubled in size after land in the Rhineland and Westphalia was granted to her, making her the dominant power in northern Germany. Monarchies and principalities were in still in operation using their own courts and applying their own oaths of allegiance. However there were problems with newly established monarchs ... where loyalties had to be constructed through manufacturing of an image ( Frederich William III ). The states organised themselves, especially Prussia, more authoritatively than before in areas such a...

• Word Count: 517
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... unrest. A further effect of the revolution attempts was the publicity gained by extremists. Hitler in particular was unknown before the Munich Putsch but that, and the subsequent trial gave the NSDP national news coverage, a huge propaganda advantage. The fact that the army would ... showing the political weakness of Weimar. As the republic had ultimately been created by the military, they retained their influential positions and therefore made their right wing views heard. These right wing sympathies of the conservative elite seriously undermined the socialist views of ... and reparation...

• Word Count: 2083
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... extra territory for France and Bismarck used these demands to pressurise the south German states into signing secret military alliances with the north German confederation. These alliances effectively started military integration with the north before political unification was achieved, but it did bring about some sort of unification. The alliances said that the smaller southern states would come to the aid of ... Prussia if she was attacked and this agreement was advantageous to both sides. It gave Prussia a hold over another piece ... primary aims, because it had been achieved throug...

• Word Count: 1594
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... had the Prussian bureaucracy go right on collecting taxes, even though the parliament refused the bill. He reorganized the army and for 4 years he sent large liberal majorities to the parliament. He sought that Germany had to control the north, so after the victory over Denmark he was able to force Austria out by war. In a way that there would no alliances ... term "new imperialism" to be used which was the drive by European countries to create political empires abroad. One example is with Great Britain and Africa. Before 1880 Britain only controlled 10% of Africa and it wasn't enough t...

• Word Count: 1851
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... had to set about consolidating his gains after pulling together the formerly disunited Germanic kingdoms. The aim of "nation building" is certainly a massive undertaking. With this goal in mind, during his "liberal" phase and "under Biz's direction, Germany was given all the qualities of a great modern state. The civil and criminal codes were ready before the making of the empire; a unified ... , "personally Biz enjoyed more absolute power than ever before as Wilhelm I became a figurehead." But the domestic tranquility Biz bought with his foreign policy success did not last long. He still...

• Word Count: 10254
• Approx Pages: 41
• Grade Level: Undergraduate