The emergence of the german industries referred to in the passage is most directly explained by which of the following processes in the nineteenth century?
Question: The emergence of the german industries referred to in the passage is most directly explained by which of the following processes in the nineteenth century?
The emergence of the German industries referred to in the passage is most directly explained by which of the following processes in the nineteenth century?
A) The unification of Germany under Prussian leadership
B) The adoption of free trade policies by the German states
C) The development of railways and steamships across Europe
D) The expansion of overseas colonies by the German Empire
In this blog post, we will examine the question above and try to determine the best answer based on historical evidence. We will also explain why the other options are less plausible or irrelevant.
The passage that the question refers to is a excerpt from a book by Eric Hobsbawm, a renowned historian of the industrial revolution. The passage describes how Germany emerged as a major industrial power in the late nineteenth century, surpassing Britain and France in some sectors such as steel, chemicals, and electrical engineering. The passage also mentions some of the factors that contributed to this remarkable growth, such as the availability of natural resources, the large domestic market, the high level of education and technical skills, and the state support for research and innovation.
The question asks us to identify the process that most directly explains this emergence of German industries. The key word here is "most directly", which means that we have to look for the option that has the strongest causal link with the industrial development of Germany. We also have to consider the time frame of the question, which is the nineteenth century, and exclude any factors that occurred later or earlier.
Option A is the correct answer. The unification of Germany under Prussian leadership was a crucial event that enabled the rapid industrialization of Germany. Before 1871, Germany was divided into several small states that had different laws, tariffs, currencies, and policies. This created barriers and inefficiencies for trade and commerce within Germany and with other countries. The unification of Germany under Prussian leadership in 1871 created a single nation-state with a common market, a common currency, a common legal system, and a strong central government. This greatly facilitated the movement of goods, capital, labor, and ideas across Germany and stimulated economic growth and innovation. The unification also gave Germany more political clout and military power in Europe, which allowed it to pursue its interests and ambitions more assertively.
Option B is incorrect. The adoption of free trade policies by the German states was not a process that occurred in the nineteenth century. In fact, Germany was one of the most protectionist countries in Europe during this period. It imposed high tariffs on imported goods to protect its domestic industries from foreign competition. It also formed trade agreements with other countries that favored German exports and limited imports from other sources. These policies helped Germany to develop its own industries and gain access to new markets.
Option C is incorrect. The development of railways and steamships across Europe was not a process that was specific to Germany or that directly caused its industrial growth. Railways and steamships were technological innovations that spread across Europe and other parts of the world in the nineteenth century. They improved transportation and communication and facilitated trade and migration. However, they did not give Germany any special advantage over other countries that also adopted them. Moreover, they were not sufficient to explain the emergence of German industries, which depended on other factors such as natural resources, education, research, and state support.
Option D is incorrect. The expansion of overseas colonies by the German Empire was not a process that occurred in the nineteenth century or that had a significant impact on its industrial development. Germany was a latecomer to the colonial race and only acquired a few territories in Africa and Asia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These colonies were mostly poor, undeveloped, and rebellious, and did not provide much benefit to Germany in terms of resources, markets, or profits. They also provoked conflicts with other colonial powers such as Britain and France, which eventually led to World War I.
In conclusion, we can see that option A is the best answer to the question because it describes the process that most directly explains the emergence of German industries in the nineteenth century. The unification of Germany under Prussian leadership created favorable conditions for economic growth and innovation that enabled Germany to become a major industrial power.
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