The Wars of German Unification is the definitive account of the three of the most decisive conflicts in the history of modern Europe. In this new edition, Dennis Showalter offers a thoroughly updated look at the wars and their context that will be invaluable for those interested in the military, social and political history of the period. Showalter explores how the Schleswig-Holstein conflict of 1864; the 'Six Weeks War' of 1866; and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 fundamentally altered the balance of power in 19th-century Europe. They marked the establishment of Prussian hegemony in central Europe, the creation of the Bismarckian Reich in 1871, the reduction of Habsburg influence and the collapse of Napoleon III's Second Empire. The Wars of German Unification offers a balanced and incisive account of the wars, their origins and their consequences, and firmly embeds these conflicts in their political, ideological and military contexts. This volume traces the transition from the 'cabinet wars' of the 19th century and shows how the conflicts that made up the wars of German unification provided the foundation for the birth of modern warfare.

In his groundbreaking book The British Way in Warfare (Routledge, 1990), David French outlined the skillful combination of maritime, economic and diplomatic power employed by Britain to achieve its international goals. Almost two decades later, this collection offers a reassessment of French's thesis, using it as a lens through which to explore Britain's relationship with various kinds of power (military and civil) and how this was employed across the globe. In particular, each essay addresses the ways in which the use of power manifested itself in the maintenance of Britain's place within the international system between 1856 and 1956. Adopting twin methodologies, the collection firstly addresses the broad question of Britain's relationship with other Great Powers and how these influenced the strategies used, before then testing these with specific case studies. By taking this approach, it is possible to discern which policies were successful and which failed, and whether these remained constant across time and space. Measuring Britain's strategy against her commercial, imperial, and military competitors (including France, the USA, Italy, Germany, and Russia) allows intriguing conclusions to be drawn about just how an essentially maritime power could compete with much larger - and potentially more powerful - continental rivals. With contributions from an outstanding selection of military scholars, this collection addresses fundamental questions about the intersection of military, economic and diplomatic history, that are as relevant today as they were during the height of Britain's imperial power. It will prove essential reading, not only for those with an interest in British military history, but for anyone wishing to understand how power - in all its multifaceted guises - can be employed for national advantage on the international stage.

Disraeli claimed that no country suffered more from the foundation of the German Reich than England. Bismarck's empire of 1871 did not, however, strike like a bolt from the blue. The question of German unity had been brewing for decades. Britain and the Germany Question reconstructs the way Victorians pictured the pre-history of the Reich from the July Revolution of 1830 until the eve of the 'Wars of German Unification'. It scrutinises how Britain's foreign political establishment - the diplomats, journalists and politicians who informed, determined and executed British foreign policy - analysed and responded to the Germans' search for a reformed, united and powerful nation state. It lays bare British interests, preconceptions and preoccupations and explains what kind of united Germany Britain would have welcomed. The book thus illuminates three themes crucial to our understanding of nineteenth-century Europe: the international repercussions of German nationalism; Britain's attitude to continental politics; and the interlocking of liberalism, nationalism revolution and reform.

This Very Short Introduction provides a concise and insightful history of the Great War--from the state of Europe in 1914, to the role of the US, the collapse of Russia, and the eventual surrender of the Central Powers. Examining how and why the war was fought, as well as the historical controversies that still surround the war, Michael Howard also looks at how peace was ultimately made, and describes the potent legacy of resentment left to Germany.

In his last book, the late William Carr provides a masterly account of the origins and impact of the three major wars fought by Prussia in creating the Bismarckian Reich of 1871. He begins with a study of the development of nationalism and liberalism from the late eighteenth century to the 1860's, before turning to a detailed examination of the Schleswig-Holstein Conflict of 1864; the `Six Weeks War' of 1866; and the Franco-Prussia War of 1870--71.

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 1,3, Dresden Technical University (Anglistik/Amerikanistik), course: Seminar "Britain in Europe - Europe in Britain", language: English, abstract: When the first bricks and pieces of the Berlin Wall fell to the ground on 9 November 1989, the German soil might not have been the only thing that has been shaking on that day: As soon as the news arrived in Number 10 Downing Street, London, the floor in Margaret Thatcher’s office might have been shaking as well. The metaphorical earthquake German reunification is considered today to have been in those days did not only cause disorientation and confusion in both German states but also in Great Britain. Since the four victorious powers decided to split the German nation into four parts – that later became only two – at the Yalta conference, the British felt save from their greatest enemy during the Second World War. The balance of power between the Soviet Union and the West seemed to be restored after the Cold War. Germany was not strong enough to even try to start a new war, which caused a strong securely feeling among the British people and its government. Now, that this stony guarantee for peace got its first cracks it forced the peaceful atmosphere – not only the British created in the bygone decades – to crack as well. In this paper I want to describe the response of both British politicians and the British people to the events that happened in the months between November 1989 and October 1990, but mainly concentrate on two of the most important ones for British politics during this time, namely the Nicholas Ridley affair and the revelation of the minutes of the Chequers meeting. The British press of course has not ignored these events. Since it became one of the most important commentators on the upheaval that went on in Germany and the British domestic discussions and affairs, I want to underline the statements and comments made by politicians or other spokesperson of public opinions with excerpts of British newspapers. [...]