Option A: Nineteenth century topic WAS FRANCE OR PRUSSIA MORE TO BLAME FOR THE OUTBREAK OF WAR IN 1870? Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions. Background Information Some historians have for some time argued that Bismarck believed a war against France was a vital step in bringing about the unification of Germany. They claim that he required it to be a defensive war and that he needed some time to bring this about. Bismarck's memoirs, written in the 1890s during his retirement, suggest that he had long planned German unification and that he brought about the war with France to help this process. However, there are also good reasons for suggesting that Napoleon III was responsible for the war. He was under a great deal of pressure in France to put Prussia in its place and to achieve a glorious victory for his country. Who was more to blame for the war, Bismarck or Napoleon? SOURCE A The founding of the North German Confederation appeared to be the last great achievement of the policy of 'blood and iron'. After 1866 admiration for the achievements of Prussia began to cool. The loudest criticism of Bismarck was in the south of Germany. Many there regarded the outcome of the Prussian victory over Austria as a threat to their political independence. Only some unexpected crisis threatening Germany could revive the feeling of nationalism which had been declining. The incompetence of the French made possible what Prussia could not achieve. The dispute over the throne of Spain led to an armed conflict which most Germans considered a just war in defence of the fatherland. Although Bismarck deliberately invited hostilities, the French were mainly at fault. The government of Napoleon III, discredited by a series of failures, was desperate for some brilliant diplomatic or military success. The result was that a disagreement developed into a crisis for which there seemed no peaceful solution. While each side sought war for reasons of its own, Berlin manoeuvred France into the position of the aggressor but French blundering revived the feeling of nationalism in Germany. Even people in south Germany thought that William I had been provoked by French arrogance. German honour was at stake. The military victory over France allowed Bismarck to complete the political unification of Germany that had proved to be impossible by diplomatic methods. From a book published in 1973. SOURCE B The evidence that Bismarck after 1866 regarded a war with France as inevitable and desirable is overwhelming. The political task was to isolate France and then crush it. Without war, unification was only possible by pulling the North Confederation to pieces and reconstructing it to suit the anti-Prussian feeling of the south. Only war would smash the obstacles to a Prussian solution for Germany. So long as France was there, the south would be reinforced in its stubborn reluctance to enter the Confederation. By the spring of 1870 Bismarck had isolated France. This, however, was not enough. France must also be lured into declaring war. The war could then be proclaimed a defensive one for German honour so that the south would be brought in, fired with enthusiasm for 'Germany in danger'. Bismarck was determined the dispute over the Spanish throne would end in war. He was determined to force the unification of Germany and win for himself the glory. Without Bismarck, war between France and Germany would have not taken place. Napoleon III wanted peace, but with a weak will; Bismarck wanted war, with a strong will. The mistakes of Napoleon III were not the decisive cause of the war. The only man who has the glory or the shame (whichever the future may judge it to be) of causing the war was Bismarck and his iron will. Anyone who thinks Bismarck planned the Hohenzollern candidacy without a suspicion that war would be inevitable would be crazy. Bismarck devised the plot because it was the only way of causing the war which he had to have to achieve the unity of Germany. From a book published in 1918. Now answer all the following questions. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources which you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. Study Sources A and B.