bismark, cavor
... In some cases, regionalism was a stronger force than nationalism. Nevertheless, common traditions, language, and culture aided Cavour in the unification of Italy. In Germany, small independent territories, mostly bishoprics, church lands, and local principalities existed. They were controlled by more powerful, organized nations such as France or Austria. Powerful German princes, often in alliance with France, seized this chance to aggrandize their lands. The number of independent and semi-independent German states had been around one thousand in 1792. The common fight of people from different German states to drive Napoleon out of Germany gave strong impulses to nationalism. Prime minister is the common position that was held by both Bismarck and Cavour. Both men were deeply involved in politics. Cavour served as Italy’s first Prime Minister, and designed the constitutional structure for the united Italy. He was the second son of a nobleman and was destined for a career in the military, even though his interests were more political. Cavour became convinced that economic reconstruction had to proceed political change, and he stressed the advantages of free trade and railroad construction in the peninsula. Bismarck served as the Prime Minister of Prussia from 1862-1873 and Germany’s first Chancellor from 1871-1890. He shaped the fortunes of Germany for nearly three decades, and he is considered the founder of the German Empire. He created the North German confederation in 1866. It was an alliance of Prussia and seventeen northern German states. The confederation was an import factor, which led to the declaration of the German Empire and the proclamation of King William I of Prussia as German Emperor in Versailles in 1871. Bismarck was appointed imperial chancellor after the imperial constitution was pronounced in April 1871. His greatest achievements involve administrative reforms, developing a common currency, central banking, social security, health insurance, and foreign affair policies. The outcomes of wars were essential to the construction of unification. Bismarck was d...