Explain why nationalism was a significant force in 19th century Germany

Explain why nationalism was a significant force in 19th century Germany

After centuries of being torn and separated into states, in 1871, Germany was finally united and gave birth to the German Empire. Although the notion of nationalism traces back even further, from 1871 on, the desire of maintaining the nation united spread significantly. The way in which nationalism became a significant force was owed to Prussian authoritarianism, the Kaiser Wilhelm II and a wish to consolidate the German country in a bound and military expanded nation. Another fact that fueled this desire was a competitively bitter nature in achieving what the British Empire had achieved in expanding.