Political Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Political Science - Essay Example The era presented new dimensions and set new trends in respect of foreign relations and diplomatic affairs on the one hand, and the tradition of international pacts, friendships and rivalries as well as lust for domination over other countries on the other. Britain and Germany were the principal actors on the Europes great stage, who led their nations and allied countries against each other as the opponents in World War I leaving the world in a sorry state of mass destruction and losses in men and material. The political circumstances in Europe took a drastic change at the eve of the unification of Germany on January 9, 1871, which was a grand incident not only in the history of Germany and Europe, but also in the history of the world at large. The credit of the whole process of unification goes to the then Prussian and later German Iron Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck, who played decisive role in the whole development of the merger of various Prussian states under the sway of German monarch. The decade of 1860s was imperative for the Prussian history during which she fought three great wars under Bismarcks dynamic leadership and won all the three leading towards unification of Germany. Bismarck assumed power in 1861 and was determined for the unification of his motherland from the very first day of taking the reins of the Prussian government. Prussia defeated Denmark in the Schleswig-Holstein War in 1864, and humiliated Austria-Hungary in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. Prussia waged a war against France, which resulted in the defeat of the latter and the unification of Germany was complete in 1871. Bismarck settled the aftermath of wars against Denmark and Austria-Hungary under very moderate terms and conditions, but his attitude was extremely hard and hostile one while dealing with France. France was demanded a huge war indemnity as well as was deprived of her highly productive industrial areas