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Modern Wars
The Wars of German Unification
Taken together, three wars fundamentally altered the balance of power in 19th-century the Schleswig-Holstein conflict of 1864; the "Six Weeks' War" of 1866; and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. They marked the establishment of Prussian hegemony in central Europe, the creation of the
Bismarckian Reich in 1871, and as a by-product the reduction of Habsburg influence and the collapse of Napoleon III's Second Empire. Showalter gives a full account of the international context as well as of the wars themselves and their consequences.
Bismarckian Reich in 1871, and as a by-product the reduction of Habsburg influence and the collapse of Napoleon III's Second Empire. Showalter gives a full account of the international context as well as of the wars themselves and their consequences.
376 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2004
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271 people want to read
About the author
Dennis E. Showalter
41 books28 followersA specialist in German military history, Dennis E. Showalter was professor emeritus of history at Colorado College. He was president of the American Society for Military History from 1997 to 2001 and an advising fellow of the Barsanti Military History Center at the University of North Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 5, 2012
This will be a tiny review (I am tired and a busy college student): This is the first general work I've read on the entirety of the Wars of German Unification and, as always, Dennis Showalter did not disappoint. The book is very easy to read, Dennis writes as though he's having a conversation with you as do all the great historians and as he is a military historian by trade he brings that unique perspective to the story. But he doesn't lose sight of the politics or the political actors in the grand drama involved, his insights into Bismark were especially enlightening. (I actually found myself getting angry when Showalter mentioned near the end of the book that Bismark, in a fit of rage, kicked one of his Rottweilers to death) His narrative of the political and social streams that led to the conflict and the individual choices that shaped them are balanced with a broad overview of the military events as they transpired. However, his look at the Battle of Konnigrattz and the Battle of Gravellotte were actually rather thrilling they were so well written. His analysis of the events is superb. Simply put, this is the best source in English that is compact and in one volume on the events in question and Showalter's work did inspire me to purchase the works of Quintin Barry, Geoff Wawro and Michael Howard for further study.
August 25, 2017
A wonderfully written, academic (yet not smug, pandering, or filled with nonsensical, emotionally laden moral diatribes) work of military, political and social history.
Showalter, a well known and highly respected military historian and one of America's leading experts on German military history has crafted in this (my own copy was the second edition update) work on the Wars of German Unification an excellent single volume, analytical narrative of the period.
Showalter begins by discussing the state of the Kingdom of Prussia following the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. The not so always harmonious balance of the Concert of Europe as envisioned by Metternich is given a thorough examination, and the evolution of both Prussia, and German unification, are impacted greatly by the wave of armed revolutions that rocked Europe in 1848.
Though the Prussian Army, and everyone else's armies, did a sound job of eventually crushing these revolts, it put into motion the turning of political and social wheels within the smaller States of the German Confederation that would lead to war with Vienna and Budapest over the future of smaller Germany.
This precarious relationship between Prussia, the Confederation and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was highlighted by the Second Schleswig-Holstein War against Denmark. The after effects of the war, primarily Prussian role within the Confederation, led to war between Berlin and Vienna-Budapest in 1866.
Showalter's account of the Seven Weeks War, though only a chapter, is an engaging narrative, made all the more meaningful by his taken the time to detail the evolution (some would say stagnation) of the Austro-Hungarian Army following their defeat by the French and Italians in the Risorgimento of 1859. He goes to some lengths to show how the Hapsburg's Army simply refused to learn the right lessons from the Battle of Solferino. As a consequence, the typical Hapsburg Grenzer fired his musket rarely at Koniggratz the same as he did at Solferino, preferring to rely on the bayonet and his supporting artillery. He also was mown down in droves by the world's first bolt action rifle: the Prussian Needle Gun which quite literally carpeted the fields, hillsides, and wood lots around the Czech town of Koniggratz with thousands of Austro-Hungarian corpses and writhing wounded.
Victory over the Hapsburg's, and the subsequent primacy within the German Confederation gave the Prussians the opportunity to botch things diplomatically with France.
When a Succession crisis brewed in Spain, the Prussians pushed for a branch of the Hohenzollern line to accede to the Spanish Throne.
This pushed one of France's historical buttons: that of strategic encirclement by hostile neighbors. The Second Empire (ruled by Napoleon's nephew Napoleon III), was already caught in a jam with a bit of a crisis thanks to Napoleon III's insistence on taking advantage of the American War Between the States to invade Mexico in contravention of the Monroe Doctrine. The loss of face suffered in Paris by the victories of Mexican rebels, as well as the tensions with a now (Re) United States over meddling in American spheres of influence unsuccessfully ensured that the response to Prussian machinations to posit a Hohenzollern on the Spanish Throne were countered with vehemence.
Again Showalter takes the time to detail the French military evolution, one that was far more successful than that of the Austro-Hungarians, yet would still fall short of the Prussian system.
The French Army suffered from a lack of attention to Administration, something the Prussians, and later the Germans, would excel at. They also lacked the requirements that their Corps Commanders be flexible and imbued with individual initiative. While this Prussian trait would bite the Germans more than once in the war, it was disastrous for the French.
Even so, Prussian/German victories were bought at a steep price.
The French very much were a good Army, and had the best rifle in Europe: the Chassepot, a clear technological step up to the Needle Gun. They also had early machine guns similar to the American Gatling Gun, and they fought with very typical French elan.
However, as Showalter shows, success hinged on a more flexible, if sometimes chaotic, Officer Corps capable and willing to take advantage of situations on the ground that might mean going against established orders.
Then again, victory always brings forgiveness.
All of that said, this is not a straight up military history, rather it is a molding of military, political and social history all into one coherent, and highly engaging narrative. As such there is precious little in the way of tactical details, only enough to stress operational and strategic points.
Showalter also does a bit of dismantling the near God like presence Otto von Bismarck has been granted in most retellings of this tale. And Helmuth von Moltke is less a clairvoyant genius and more a product of an already well oiled and functioning General Staff system. And the Prussian/German soldier is less the robotic automaton that most Americans think of him as. Even in the midst of a grand scale narrative, Showalter spares some time to show the Everyman nature of the German Army.
Defenitely a great work on a topic rarely brought up anymore. Highly recommended.
Showalter, a well known and highly respected military historian and one of America's leading experts on German military history has crafted in this (my own copy was the second edition update) work on the Wars of German Unification an excellent single volume, analytical narrative of the period.
Showalter begins by discussing the state of the Kingdom of Prussia following the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. The not so always harmonious balance of the Concert of Europe as envisioned by Metternich is given a thorough examination, and the evolution of both Prussia, and German unification, are impacted greatly by the wave of armed revolutions that rocked Europe in 1848.
Though the Prussian Army, and everyone else's armies, did a sound job of eventually crushing these revolts, it put into motion the turning of political and social wheels within the smaller States of the German Confederation that would lead to war with Vienna and Budapest over the future of smaller Germany.
This precarious relationship between Prussia, the Confederation and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was highlighted by the Second Schleswig-Holstein War against Denmark. The after effects of the war, primarily Prussian role within the Confederation, led to war between Berlin and Vienna-Budapest in 1866.
Showalter's account of the Seven Weeks War, though only a chapter, is an engaging narrative, made all the more meaningful by his taken the time to detail the evolution (some would say stagnation) of the Austro-Hungarian Army following their defeat by the French and Italians in the Risorgimento of 1859. He goes to some lengths to show how the Hapsburg's Army simply refused to learn the right lessons from the Battle of Solferino. As a consequence, the typical Hapsburg Grenzer fired his musket rarely at Koniggratz the same as he did at Solferino, preferring to rely on the bayonet and his supporting artillery. He also was mown down in droves by the world's first bolt action rifle: the Prussian Needle Gun which quite literally carpeted the fields, hillsides, and wood lots around the Czech town of Koniggratz with thousands of Austro-Hungarian corpses and writhing wounded.
Victory over the Hapsburg's, and the subsequent primacy within the German Confederation gave the Prussians the opportunity to botch things diplomatically with France.
When a Succession crisis brewed in Spain, the Prussians pushed for a branch of the Hohenzollern line to accede to the Spanish Throne.
This pushed one of France's historical buttons: that of strategic encirclement by hostile neighbors. The Second Empire (ruled by Napoleon's nephew Napoleon III), was already caught in a jam with a bit of a crisis thanks to Napoleon III's insistence on taking advantage of the American War Between the States to invade Mexico in contravention of the Monroe Doctrine. The loss of face suffered in Paris by the victories of Mexican rebels, as well as the tensions with a now (Re) United States over meddling in American spheres of influence unsuccessfully ensured that the response to Prussian machinations to posit a Hohenzollern on the Spanish Throne were countered with vehemence.
Again Showalter takes the time to detail the French military evolution, one that was far more successful than that of the Austro-Hungarians, yet would still fall short of the Prussian system.
The French Army suffered from a lack of attention to Administration, something the Prussians, and later the Germans, would excel at. They also lacked the requirements that their Corps Commanders be flexible and imbued with individual initiative. While this Prussian trait would bite the Germans more than once in the war, it was disastrous for the French.
Even so, Prussian/German victories were bought at a steep price.
The French very much were a good Army, and had the best rifle in Europe: the Chassepot, a clear technological step up to the Needle Gun. They also had early machine guns similar to the American Gatling Gun, and they fought with very typical French elan.
However, as Showalter shows, success hinged on a more flexible, if sometimes chaotic, Officer Corps capable and willing to take advantage of situations on the ground that might mean going against established orders.
Then again, victory always brings forgiveness.
All of that said, this is not a straight up military history, rather it is a molding of military, political and social history all into one coherent, and highly engaging narrative. As such there is precious little in the way of tactical details, only enough to stress operational and strategic points.
Showalter also does a bit of dismantling the near God like presence Otto von Bismarck has been granted in most retellings of this tale. And Helmuth von Moltke is less a clairvoyant genius and more a product of an already well oiled and functioning General Staff system. And the Prussian/German soldier is less the robotic automaton that most Americans think of him as. Even in the midst of a grand scale narrative, Showalter spares some time to show the Everyman nature of the German Army.
Defenitely a great work on a topic rarely brought up anymore. Highly recommended.
November 5, 2020
A good general overview of the three wars that Prussia fought in the 19th Century that resulted in a united Germany, the 2nd Reich, completed in 1871. Dennis Showalter is a noted author and expert on Imperial Germany, so this book was a pleasure to read.
It would have been a better book if maps of the campaigns and battles were included. But I have enough other sources that this didn’t spoil my read.
But overall, a great book to catch up on some German history that is now mostly sadly neglected and almost forgotten.
It would have been a better book if maps of the campaigns and battles were included. But I have enough other sources that this didn’t spoil my read.
But overall, a great book to catch up on some German history that is now mostly sadly neglected and almost forgotten.
October 16, 2019
Wonderful summarization
Mr Showalter provides a concise history of this topic. Further, he describes the unification effort in political terms in addition to the military actions. Also, he doesn't needlessly bog us down in the minutia of the combatants. Finally, this book provided an impartial view of the events. In too many cases authors since WW 2 present all Prussian / German actions, regardless of the timeperiod, as inherently evil, not so by Mr Showalter.
Mr Showalter provides a concise history of this topic. Further, he describes the unification effort in political terms in addition to the military actions. Also, he doesn't needlessly bog us down in the minutia of the combatants. Finally, this book provided an impartial view of the events. In too many cases authors since WW 2 present all Prussian / German actions, regardless of the timeperiod, as inherently evil, not so by Mr Showalter.
August 18, 2024
Best read on German unification
I have read a lot on the wars between France and the German states for the last 400 years. This is the best one ive read on the unification. Highly recommend
I have read a lot on the wars between France and the German states for the last 400 years. This is the best one ive read on the unification. Highly recommend
May 2, 2023
Excellent History
Learning - 5
Enjoyment - 3
Writing - 4
Prof. Showalter impresses with his breadth of knowledge and analysis. However, the content and writing can be trying for non-specialists.
The structure of the book is straightforward and easy to follow. Although it's academic in nature (and therefore can be 'dry') very few paragraphs seem unnecessary or wander into tangents; which helps keep the book focused and progressing, even for non-specialists.
The writing is clear but can be challenging at times: liberal use of untranslated German words and a penchant for obscure metaphors being the two main offenders.
However, the book's exposition is skillful and has moments of brilliance: Prof. Showalter's treatment of the German armies' developments and their interplay with German society, politics and diplomacy is masterful.
On a personal note, I picked up this book due to the difficulty in finding general histories on the subject matter. Although military history is not my forte I appreciated that this book had enough commentary on 'non-military' matters to make it compelling for me.
Learning - 5
Enjoyment - 3
Writing - 4
Prof. Showalter impresses with his breadth of knowledge and analysis. However, the content and writing can be trying for non-specialists.
The structure of the book is straightforward and easy to follow. Although it's academic in nature (and therefore can be 'dry') very few paragraphs seem unnecessary or wander into tangents; which helps keep the book focused and progressing, even for non-specialists.
The writing is clear but can be challenging at times: liberal use of untranslated German words and a penchant for obscure metaphors being the two main offenders.
However, the book's exposition is skillful and has moments of brilliance: Prof. Showalter's treatment of the German armies' developments and their interplay with German society, politics and diplomacy is masterful.
On a personal note, I picked up this book due to the difficulty in finding general histories on the subject matter. Although military history is not my forte I appreciated that this book had enough commentary on 'non-military' matters to make it compelling for me.
May 26, 2024
Hard book to read, only due to so much information in its pages. Covers not just the three conflicts, but also the post-Napoleonic impact upon the German Confederation, and (this is uncommon) the impact of the 1848 Revolutions as well. Highlights cultural, political, diplomatic as well as military aspects of not only Prussia (as can be expected) but also Bavaria, Wurttemberg, and Baden within Germany. Included with detailed descriptions of the political & military structures of Denmark, Austria & France. Well worth reading, highly recommended to anyone interested in the period 1816-1871.
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August 13, 2016When casual historians – even some professional ones – think of the wars of German Unification, they think of Moltke and the Dreyse rolling up the Danes, Austrians and the French. This concept is far too facile. In the second edition of his The Wars of German Unification, Prof. Dennis Showalter shows that the wars were a culmination of a process beginning in1820.
The German Confederation was a political menge a trois between Prussia, Austrian and the middle states to either gain prominence or independence in the North. Prussia and Austria argued each other to a standstill while the middle states shifted allegiances while keeping an eye on France. Showalter emphasizes the role of economics and railroads during this period.
The Revolutions of 1848 changed all this with the interjection of liberal nationalism. Prussia and Austria put down internal revolts while the Confederation and Prussia fought a long, losing war with Denmark over Schleswig-Holstein. The Confederation was reformed and Austria gained the upper hand by emphasizing Prussian military weakness at Olmuetz. Showalter describes these convoluted processes very well.
The 1850s in Prussia was a time when the government struggled to understand a constitutional monarchy while reforming the army. This struggle created the constitutional deadlock of 1860 when the Bundestag blocked army reform by refusing to pass the budget. Wilhelm I reluctantly turned to Bismarck as first minister. Again, Showalter clarifies a tangle of political and inter-personal threads to explain the dominance of the Iron Chancellor. Meanwhile, Austria learned the wrong lesson in the Italian war of 1859.
The Confederation began the wars of unification by going against the Danes again in 1864 with Austrian and Prussia as allies. Although he gives short shrift to the Danes, Showalter gives a clear even-hand description of the 1866 and 1870-71 conflicts, remarking on the tactical, logistical and technological aspects. He delineates the French war by writing the chapters on it: war against the Empire, war against the Republic and war against France, the last describing the French guerrilla operations.
The topic of this book is difficult. Geoffrey Wawro, et al, have done good work on the military aspects but only Showalter has set the wars in their larger context.
The German Confederation was a political menge a trois between Prussia, Austrian and the middle states to either gain prominence or independence in the North. Prussia and Austria argued each other to a standstill while the middle states shifted allegiances while keeping an eye on France. Showalter emphasizes the role of economics and railroads during this period.
The Revolutions of 1848 changed all this with the interjection of liberal nationalism. Prussia and Austria put down internal revolts while the Confederation and Prussia fought a long, losing war with Denmark over Schleswig-Holstein. The Confederation was reformed and Austria gained the upper hand by emphasizing Prussian military weakness at Olmuetz. Showalter describes these convoluted processes very well.
The 1850s in Prussia was a time when the government struggled to understand a constitutional monarchy while reforming the army. This struggle created the constitutional deadlock of 1860 when the Bundestag blocked army reform by refusing to pass the budget. Wilhelm I reluctantly turned to Bismarck as first minister. Again, Showalter clarifies a tangle of political and inter-personal threads to explain the dominance of the Iron Chancellor. Meanwhile, Austria learned the wrong lesson in the Italian war of 1859.
The Confederation began the wars of unification by going against the Danes again in 1864 with Austrian and Prussia as allies. Although he gives short shrift to the Danes, Showalter gives a clear even-hand description of the 1866 and 1870-71 conflicts, remarking on the tactical, logistical and technological aspects. He delineates the French war by writing the chapters on it: war against the Empire, war against the Republic and war against France, the last describing the French guerrilla operations.
The topic of this book is difficult. Geoffrey Wawro, et al, have done good work on the military aspects but only Showalter has set the wars in their larger context.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews