History Class Presentation Essay

It is believed that Prussia achieved and secured dominance in Germany because of the role of Bismarck, who got rid of the opposition in the Parliament, strengthened the Prussian army, exploited Prussia’s economic development and won three wars to secure the unification of Germany. However, it is also argued that international scenes too, helped Prussia make a mark as the strongest nation in Europe. Firstly, Prussia managed to secure dominance in Germany due to Bismarck’s action to get rid of the opposition in the government in order to pass the Army Bill. The Army Bill was needed to prepare for the army by increasing their size, re-equipping the army as well as to increase the years of service from 2-3 years. Bismarck got hold of the Army Bill by withdrawing it from the parliament and collected taxes to fund the army. Thus, Bismarck’s role that got rid of opposition in the government made Prussia the strongest nation in Germany. Secondly, Prussia achieved and secured dominance in Germany by strengthening the Prussian army. He used the Army Bill to finance the army. Furthermore, he was also helped by War Minister Von Roon who ensured that Prussian army were increased in number, better trained and well armed. In addition, General Helmuth Van Moltke, Chief of the General Staff helped by becoming the brain of Prussian army, laying plans for mobilisation and military operations. Therefore, Prussia achieved and secured dominance in Germany by strengthening Prussian army. Thirdly, Prussia’s economic exploitation by Bismarck was believed to be one of the reasons why Prussia had managed to achieve and secure dominance in 1848-1871. Bismarck had managed to manipulate the already-existing custom union known as Zollverein that encouraged free trade within the nation where international tariffs was abolished. Currencies, systems of weights and measurements were unified to promote easy trading within the Zollverein states. Number of railway networks increased and they become more efficient providing better access to coal, iron and steel transportation. Hence, Bismarck’s economic reform became one of the reasons why Prussia was dominant in Germany. Lastly, Prussia had secured its dominance and made a mark as one of the strongest nation in Europe by winning three wars; Danish War, Austro-Prussian War and the Franco-Prussian War. Firstly, Danish war broke out subsequently after King Fredrick of Denmark’s decision to incorporate Schleswig with Denmark which violated the Treaty of London (1852). Despite the disunity and hostility against each other, Austria and Prussia had worked hand-in-hand to defeat Denmark. As a result, Austria took control over Holstein and Prussia, Schleswig. During the Austro-Prussian War, Prussia had provoked Austria to war by proposing a reorganisation in German Confederation which will exclude Austria, on June 10. Due to the diplomatic isolation of Austria and their lack of alliances, Prussia had the upper hand with modern weapons which resulted in Austria’s defeat and the signing of Treaty of Prague (1866). Franco-Prussian War was a result of Bismarck’s action who took advantage of the Bad Ems Telegram which he edited with intention to insult France until they demanded war. The well-organised Prussian army with its allies easily destroyed France and even gained control over Alsace-Lorraine. Therefore, Prussia’s victory in these three wars was one of the reasons why Prussia was the strongest nation in Europe during the period. However, it is also argued that the international scenes such as Britain, Russia, Italy and Austria, too, helped Prussia make a mark as one of the strongest nation in Europe. Firstly, Britain’s no-intervention policy which is also known as an isolationist foreign policy was one of the reasons why Prussia had managed to secure its dominance in Germany. Britain was more concerned about her economical interest than her political interest. During both the Danish and Austro-Prussian wars, Britain took no action at all despite Denmark’s accusation for violating the Treaty of London (1852) prior to Danish War. Furthermore, Britain’s hostile relationship with France was clearly not an advantage to the French during the Franco-Prussian War. This, Britain’s no-intervention policy had helped Prussia to secure dominance in Germany. Moreover, Russia’s recovery from the Crimean War (1855) was one of the reasons why Prussia became dominant in Germany. During the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars, Russia had remained neutral as an exchange to Prussia’s neutrality during Russia’s Crimean War against France and Britain. Alexander Tsar had willingly paid Prussia for her neutrality in all affairs involving Prussia. Hence, Russia’s neutrality during Prussia’s wars against France and Austria was one of the reasons why, Prussia had managed to secure dominance in Germany. Thirdly, Italy’s involvement was one of the reasons why Prussia had managed to secure dominance in Germany. In the Austro-Prussian war, Italy lent a helping hand to Bismarck to defeat Austria. Prussia took the advantage of Austria’s weak defence when Austria had to deploy some troops to deal with the disturbance and riot in the Piedmontese-Austrian border which was organised by Italy. Furthermore, Italy was occupied with her own unification process whilst Prussia was securing its dominance in the German nation. Therefore, by having alliance with Italy during the Austro-Prussian war, Prussia achieved and secured dominance in Germany. Lastly, both Austrian’s assistance and situation had assisted Prussia to become one of the strongest nations in Europe. Despite the hostility with Austria, Prussia had co-operated together with Austria in the Danish War to gain Schleswig. In return, Austria governed Holstein. Moreover, Austria was weakened after the war against Prussia in which they were defeated due to their incapability to cope against Prussia’s well-organised military system and modernised weaponries. Thus, Prussia managed to achieve and secure dominance with Austria’s help and by taking advantage of Austria’s weakened state. In conclusion, Prussia achieved and secured dominance in Germany due to the role of Bismarck who got rid of opposition in the Parliament, strengthened Prussian army, exploited Prussia’s economic development and won three wars. In addition, international scenes too, helped Prussia make a mark as the strongest nation in Europe.