Italian and German Unification--A Connection?
I would not say a "connection" but more of commonalities. Both unifications had strong realpolitick leaders (Bismarck in Germany and Cavour in Italy). The unification process occurred at the same time. The romantics are the one's who kicked started the movements.
The differences are in the end product. Yes, they were both united by 1871, but the difference is the years after. Rather than becoming great, Italy will lack true stability since the Italians were not sure of this Italy thing--for generations they had been loyal only to their city-states. Plus, Southern Italy was so different that Northern--rural, backwards vs. urban and modern. The problems would only begin to mount.
Germany united in greatness. Prussia had dismantled the Danes, Austrians and French. The Germans were convinced by the Prussian force. Plus, all parts of Germany had been developing due to the customs union that was officially recognized by 1848 in the Frankfurt Assembly.
posted by Was @ 8:16 AM
2 Comments:
It was not medieval but romantic...a slight difference. Cavour attempted this but failed with his untimely death--darn industrialist, what was he thinking?
Bismarck's greatness is not with unification but in the alliance system that stabilized Germany--to be discussed later
Italy sounds like it's just asking for a civil war.
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