Germany didn’t just “unify” — it was engineered through secret deals, ruthless power grabs, and reckless ambition that exploded into global war.
In this episode of Why Wars Happened, historian Katja Hoyer reveals how Bismarck’s strategy and Wilhelm II’s rise lit the fuse for World War I. Once you hear it, you’ll never look at Europe the same way again.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:58 Europe After Napoleon
01:48 The German Question
03:14 How the Great Powers Reacted
04:36 Prussia Steps Up
06:35 Life in a New Germany
12:52 Bismarck’s Strategy
15:43 Why His Legacy Still Divides
21:19 Wilhelm II Takes the Throne
25:44 Tensions Before the Great War
28:52 Social Friction and Culture Shifts
30:25 Final Thoughts
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