How did Germany become a nation?

Answer 1

The German states were first unified as a (federal) nation-state in 1871. The new Germany was in many respects an expanded Prussia ... (Austria had been expelled from the German Confederation by Prussia in 1866). However, Germany had existed as a cultural nation long before 1871.

Answer 2

In 1871, Germany became a united country, with the former King of Prussia becoming the new German Emperor. Thus, the former Prussian royal anthem became the anthem of the new united Germany. The song also uses the melody of the British national anthem, demonstrating the influence "God Save the King" had on other nations in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. This anthem remained in place until the monarchy was abolished at the end of World War I.

Answer 3

The various German states (minus Austria) united in 1871. However, before that the individual states had enjoyed sovereignty, and Prussia had been a 'first-class power' since the days of Frederick II.

Answer 4

The question is not so easy to answer. It could be argued that the idea of the German nation dates back to the Frankish empire of Karl der Große (Charlemagne, 2 April 742 - 28 January 814), whose empire covered nearly all of Western Europe. On 25 December 800 AD, he was crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III. From then on his empire was known as the Holy Roman Empire (later changed to the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation) until its defeat and break-up by Napoleon in 1806.

The idea of German nationhood continued throughout the 19th Century, leading to the Frankfurt Assembly, the Norddeutscher Bund (North German Federation) and eventually the formation of the Deutsches Reich in 1871 following the Franco-Prussian war.

This was seen as the klein-deutsche Lösung (small German solution) as Austria, which had been part of the previous German empire was excluded from joining the newly formed Reich, due to its territory including parts of eastern Europe and some Slavic peoples. This was seen as a hinderance to establishing and maintaining a single German identity.

Answer 5

1871, when Prussia united all the thirty-odd German states.

Answer 6

West Germany opened up to East Germany and soon the reformation of East Germany began. Thus Germany became reunifies in 1990.

Answer 7

18 January 1871. However, it had a much longer existence as a cultural nation.

Answer 8

After the Franco-Prussian War of 1871.

Answer 9

1871.