On this episode of Why Wars Happened, we’re joined by historian and author Katja Hoyer to take a deep dive into one of Europe’s most dramatic transformations — the unification of Germany. Katja, who wrote the highly praised Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German Empire, walks us through how a scattered collection of states came together to form a powerful empire — and how that transformation shaped the path to war.

We’ll start in 1815, just after Napoleon’s defeat, and trace the events leading up to Germany’s unification in 1871, right through to the outbreak of World War I. Along the way, we’ll talk about the power moves of Otto von Bismarck, the rise of Wilhelm II, and the growing tensions — political, cultural, and social — within the new empire.

This episode digs into how Germany’s rapid rise unsettled Europe, fueled militarism, and left a lasting mark on the 20th century. Whether you're a history buff or just curious about the roots of modern conflict, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

00:58 The Big Picture: Europe After 1815

01:48 Napoleon’s Shadow and the German Question

03:14 How the Great Powers Reacted

04:36 Prussia Steps Up

06:35 Life in a Brand-New Germany

12:52 Bismarck’s Strategy and Influence

15:43 Why Bismarck’s Legacy Still Divides Historians

21:19 Enter Wilhelm II

25:44 Tensions Rise Before the Great War

28:52 Social Friction and Cultural Shifts

30:25 Final Thoughts + Katja’s Book Pick

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INTERVIEW: INTERVIEW: German Unification with Historian Katja Hoyer

Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

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