Motivation Behind the Unification of Germany in 1871

As with the motivations behind the unification of most modern nations, the unification of Germany in 1871 can be attributed to many varied causes, of which the following three must be said to be among the most important. The populist forces of nationalism and liberalism, the military conquests of Prussia and its territories and lastly the economic, commercial and industrial benefits that it brought to the entire country. <Tab/> The ideas of …

…of Prussia and its territories and lastly the economic, commercial and industrial benefits that it brought to the entire empire. While these reasons were sometimes practically adverse to eachother they did in the end intertwine to install a sense of pride and accomplishment in all Germans of every level of society, thus giving the political leaders of the day no choice but to ensure the complete and secure unification of Germany, albeit under Prussian leadership.