Documents of German Unification

By EmmaGaul

  • Johann Gustav Droysen: "Speech to the Frankfurt Assembly"

    This document is significant since it shows how at odds Prussia and Austria were at the time; this document displays the animosity between Prussia and Austria. This document also goes to show that while Prussia and Austria may not exactly be allies right now, German unification is desired (for Prussia and possibly also for Austria).

  • Friedrich Wilhelm IV: "Proclamation of 1849"

    In this proclamation, Friedrich Wilhelm IV declines the crown that he was offered by the German National Assembly. He simply did not believe that the Assembly had the right to bestow the crown to him, and he did not agree with the Assembly's constitution.

  • Otto von Bismarck: "Letter to Minister von Manteuffel"

    Bismarck's letter to Minister von Manteuffel is very significant because it basically implies that Prussia and Austria will have to go to war in the future, and this war could determine whether or not Austria will permanently be a part of Germany. This letter was not exactly a declaration of war, but it certainly shows Bismarck's anticipation of one in the near future.

  • Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke: 1866

    With this document, Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke describes Prussia's reason for going to war with Austria, and it mentions that Prussia won this war. It explained that Prussia now has dominance over Austria, and Austria no longer has any sort of dominance or control over Germany.

  • Otto von Bismarck: 1866

    The significance of this document is that it states that Prussia (and Germany as a whole) does not want any bad blood with Austria, but it instead just wants the establishment of a united Germany. Bismarck explains in this document that Germany did not want to harm Austria severely enough that it would wish to seek revenge on Germany.

  • Otto von Bismarck: 1866 - Perhaps the Most Important Event for German Unification

    I believe that this event was the most important event that led to German unification because it may have prevented another war between Prussia and Austria. Otto von Bismarck's restraint may have prevented Austria from retaliating, and his hope for a unified Germany may have been able to bring the country together. Bismarck implies that he only wants peace between Prussia and Austria, and his only desire is for a united Germany.

  • "The Imperial Proclamation"

    This document describes King Wilhelm's acceptance of the crown of Emperor. In his proclamation, he assumes the crown and states that he wishes to protect the rights, safety, and independence of Germany, and he wishes for Germany to have a future of prosperity and peace.