Bismarck and German Unification: 4 (Documents and Debates Extended Series) - Softcover

This book looks afresh at German unification and the vexed role played by Bismarck. Using exclusively primary source material, it seeks to evaluate more exactly the nature of Bismarck's responsibility in the evolution towards unity, and the role of economic and demographic factors by way of contrast. Beginning with a longer term view of unification between 1815 and 1848, the book seeks to test, and ultimately to challenge, certain key assumptions, by way of a concise but thorough examination of key episodes.

This book forms part of a series entitled "Documents and Debates", which is aimed primarily at sixth formers. The earlier volumes in the series covered approximately one century of history, using material both from original documents and from modern historians. The more recent volumes, however, are designed in response to the changing trends in history examinations at 18 plus, most of which now demand the study of documentary sources and the testing of historical skills. Each volume therefore concentrates on a particular topic within a narrower span of time. It consists of eight sections, each dealing with a major theme in depth, illustrated by extracts drawn from primary sources. The series intends partly to provide experience for those pupils who are required to answer questions on documentary material at A-level, and partly to provide pupils of all abilities with a digestible and interesting collection of source material, which will extend the normal textbook approach.