National Malaise, National Unity: Wilhelm II's Attempt to Consolidate the Reich

摘要

One of the highlights of a course in western civilization or modern Germany is detailing the events that culminated on January 18,1871, with the proclamation of the united German Empire. The reorganization of the German territories started by Napoleon I was now completed by Otto von Bismarck. Was Germany really unified in 1871, or is the term a misnomer? This article addresses this question.