According to the authors, Bismarck
A) did everything possible to prevent the outbreak of war with France in 1870.
B) incited Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen to seek the Spanish throne.
C) attempted to back out of the Franco-Prussian War at the last moment.
D) used the Franco Prussian War to gain Southern German support.
E) made an alliance with the Piedmont.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bismarck used the Franco-Prussian War as a strategic move to unify the German states under Prussian leadership. By engaging in conflict with France, he was able to rally the independent southern German states to his cause, leveraging nationalism and the common threat to gain their support. This was a calculated effort to strengthen and unify Germany.

According to the Authors, Bismarck