Unification of Germany: The credit for the growth of nationalism in Germany goes to Napoleon. His rule in Germany proved to be a blessing in disguise. It is noteworthy that prior to French Revolution Germany was politically the most disunited European country having 300 states. Napoleon paved the way for national unity by creating a ‘confederation of the Rhine‘ in 1806 in which the German states were included, Prussia and Austria being excluded. After the downfall of Napoleon in the battle of Waterloo (1815), the people of Germany hoped that the diplomats of the Congress of Vienna would recognize the … Continue reading Unification of Germany (1815-1871)