German Unification Delay

What if the french saw through the Ems dispatach for what it was and did not declare war against Prussia.
Would Germany Unite?
What would this do to Europe for the next 100 years?
 
What if the french saw through the Ems dispatach for what it was and did not declare war against Prussia.
Would Germany Unite?
What would this do to Europe for the next 100 years?

Germany was already de facto united for 3 years. The official founding of the German Empire 1871 in Versailles was only the final step which was opportune for the popular feelings in Germany. Napoleon III (who supported Prussia in 1866 and expected territorial gains in return) was pissed off enough to start a war for this reason (Revanche pour Sadowa!), but even if he were to show restraint Bismarck would find another opportunity to whip up all-german national feelings so a common state could be founded. The war with France was convenient but not necessary; another round of conflict with Austria would have done it as well.
 
Germany was already de facto united for 3 years.

Perhaps the North German states, Prussia was shown to be dominant after 1866 but by no means did some of the Southern states have inclinations of laying down their sovereignty. They might have been tied to the confederation and economically, but would resist Prussian attempts at leading a German nation much more so than after an OTL Franco-Prussia war and the feelings generated.

but even if he were to show restraint Bismarck would find another opportunity to whip up all-german national feelings so a common state could be founded. The war with France was convenient but not necessary; another round of conflict with Austria would have done it as well.

Much along the same lines, I just don't see the Southern states (Bavaria especially) opting or be coerced into joining without some kind of unifying event. The trap Bismarck set was masterful and provided the perfect solution to just this problem. I think another war with Austria would have alienated Prussia from the other German states and just tarnished the image of Prussia and chances of a German state. The only reason I feel such a war could or might lead to unification is if France decided to pounce on Prussia in the name of defending Austria or something ... again unifying the Germans (non-Austrian) to that cause. But the sides in that war cause problems for unification too, as do the certainty of Prussia victory. Prussia was predicted by most to lose the war with France alone, let alone one fighting Austria (this time without Italian ventures as well) at the same time. I would envision Russian assistance if it looked like total Prussian defeat ... the ramifications and butterflyies of that are enormous but I'll not go there.

As to the topic question, I think yes most likely but the timing is different. The Kaiser had to be persuaded even after the Franco-Prussian war to take the crown of Germany so I don't think any direct or underhanded attempt to force or coerce the states into a Prussian led German state are going to work or take place. I see more likely that Prussia consolidates her holdings in the confederation and slowly integrates them further eventually resulting in more and more calls for unification. As that voice grows, the monarchs of the southern states loss influence in the matter, and memories of Prussia the enemy of 1866 fade you'll see something develop. Without the war, I see unification but not a Prussian dominated state and the timing all depends on a grand event with France and/or Austria in some way or another. Least that's IMHO.
 
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