Question

Compare the paths Cavour and Bismarck in unifying their nations… In what way did they both represent the concepts of Realpolitik and Top Down Nationalism? Do you think that one was more effective than the other in the process of unification? Explain.

Answer 1

• In their efforts to unify Germany and Italy, Bismarck and Cavour mutually employed Realpolitik. This was a political tactic characterized by the employment of practical, even when unethical and unprincipled diplomatic and warring tactics to attain goals of national interest, such as unification.
• In summary, both men used diplomacy and military action to attain unification, but they differed in which tactic dominated their unification efforts.
• While Bismark was not hesitant to engage in direct warfare, Cavour either supported (Crimea) or instigated (France) military action between other nations.
• Both men had their focus on unification and both put goals and action ahead of ethics and principle, but Bismark favored direct engagement in war while Cavour favored diplomatically manipulating others in their military engagements.
• Although Bismarck and Cavour had similar goals (to unify their respective countries) they pursued their goals in relatively dissimilar ways. Bismarck used aggression and force, while Cavour used diplomacy and moderation.
• Both Bismarck and Cavour were superb diplomats who relied on promises from other nations to either assist or at least to not intervene in unifying their respective countries. Both were experts at that which Bismarck called realpolitik.
• Bismarck's practiced Realpolitik by doing anything he can to unify the nation. He based everything he did on the needs of the state.
• Both Camillo Cavour and Otto von Bismarck wanted to unify their states, supported a monarchy, practiced Realpolitik, and were ruthless and smart. They would do anything to achieve their goals and were pragmatists.
• I would say Bismarck was more effective since Cavour never really succeeded,it was his successor that did.