This book looks afresh at German unification and the vexed role played by Bismarck. Using exclusively primary source material, it seeks to evaluate more exactly the nature of Bismarck's responsibility in the evolution towards unity, and the role of economic and demographic factors by way of contrast. Beginning with a longer term view of unification between 1815 and 1848, the book seeks to test, and ultimately to challenge, certain key assumptions, by way of a concise but thorough examination of key episodes.