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Quiz about German Unification 19th Century

German Unification (19th Century) Quiz

This is about the unification of the German states in the 1800s. The quiz includes questions about the people and countries involved.

A multiple-choice quiz by Cori14. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Cori14

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
200,438

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1285

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Otto von Bismarck, the "architect" of the German Empire, used the desire of many Germans for unification to increase the power, size and influence of one of the German states. Which?

Answer: (One word - seven letters)

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was Bismarck's purpose in going to war against Austria in 1866? Hint

To annex the German-speaking areas of Austria to Germany

To force Austria to settle its internal problems

To annex the whole of the Austrian Empire

To destroy the German Confederation established in 1815

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Question 3 of 10

3. In a speech made by Bismarck in 1862 about possible German unification, what did he say would decide the great issues of the day? Hint

the decisions of parliaments

sweat and tears

blood and iron

strength and unity

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Question 4 of 10

4. "On to Berlin" was the cry of the Austrians when they declared war on Prussia.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. The immediate cause of confrontation between France and Prussia was a dispute over a vacant European throne. Which country had a vacant throne at the time? Hint

Denmark

Spain

Russia

Belgium

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Question 6 of 10

6. When was the Franco-Prussian War? Hint

1870-71

1870-72

1866-68

1860-62

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which Prussian King's words were edited by Bismarck in the "Ems dispatch", to make it seem that he insulted the French ambassador in a meeting they had had? Hint

George II

Frederick II

William IV

William I

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Question 8 of 10

8. After the defeat of the French when was the German Empire ("Kaiserreich") proclaimed? Hint

January 1871

July 1871

November 1870

July 1870

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Question 9 of 10

9. Unification helped Germany become an industrial giant and acquire the leading role in Europe.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. After unification, the constitution drafted by Bismarck established what in Germany? Hint

democracy

direct Prussian rule

congress

two-house legislature

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Otto von Bismarck, the "architect" of the German Empire, used the desire of many Germans for unification to increase the power, size and influence of one of the German states. Which?

Answer: Prussia

Like many conservatives, Bismarck had misgivings about German nationalism. However, he used it to create a Germany that was in many respects a "Greater Prussia".

2. What was Bismarck's purpose in going to war against Austria in 1866?

Answer: To destroy the German Confederation established in 1815

Prussia went to war against most states in the German Confederation. The important aim, however, was to destroy any remaining claim of Austria to be the leading state in Germany. The German Confederation was dissolved after the 1866 war. Some German states that had sided with Austria, such as Hanover, were annexed to Prussia.

3. In a speech made by Bismarck in 1862 about possible German unification, what did he say would decide the great issues of the day?

Answer: blood and iron

Bismarck delivered his "blood and iron" speech in 1862. In it he dismissed the concerns of the liberal opposition and set the tone for his policies in the years ahead.

4. "On to Berlin" was the cry of the Austrians when they declared war on Prussia.

Answer: False

Cries of "On to Berlin" filled the streets of Paris when the French declared war on Prussia.

5. The immediate cause of confrontation between France and Prussia was a dispute over a vacant European throne. Which country had a vacant throne at the time?

Answer: Spain

A relative of the Prussian king was offered the throne, but France protested because it feared the spread of Prussian influence to its southern border.

6. When was the Franco-Prussian War?

Answer: 1870-71

Bismarck gleefully fuelled the crisis between France and Prussia in 1870 and succeeded in provoking Napoleon into declaring war on Prussia.

7. Which Prussian King's words were edited by Bismarck in the "Ems dispatch", to make it seem that he insulted the French ambassador in a meeting they had had?

Answer: William I

This was a calculated act of provocation by Bismarck. Napoleon III rose to the bait, apparently unaware of Prussia's exceptionally thorough military planning machine.

8. After the defeat of the French when was the German Empire ("Kaiserreich") proclaimed?

Answer: January 1871

With astonishing tactlessness it was proclaimed at Versailles.

9. Unification helped Germany become an industrial giant and acquire the leading role in Europe.

Answer: True

Germany had substantial deposits of iron and coal. It was a populous country, with - by the standards of the time - a very well educated workforce. Germany also played a pioneering role in the development of the chemical and electrical industries. By 1880 at the latest, Britain was acutely aware that it had a competitor.

10. After unification, the constitution drafted by Bismarck established what in Germany?

Answer: two-house legislature

Besides the two-house legislature, there was a Bundesrat, or upper house and the Reichstag, or lower house. Despite the fact, on paper, the legislature seemed to have considerable powers, Germany didn't become a democracy. The Chancellor and other ministers were not accountable to the Reichstag but to the king.

Source: Author Cori14

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