Final answer:
Three major steps that led to the Unification of Germany were the formation of the German Confederation, the establishment of the Zollverein customs union, and the leadership of Otto von Bismarck.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three major steps that led to the Unification of Germany were:
- Formation of the German Confederation: In 1815, the German Confederation was established to create a loose alliance of German states. This laid the foundation for future unification efforts.
- Zollverein: The Zollverein, a customs union formed by Prussia in 1834, played a crucial role in unifying the German states economically. By 1854, almost all German states had joined this union, which led to increased cooperation and economic integration.
- Leadership of Otto von Bismarck: Bismarck, appointed as the prime minister of Prussia in 1862, pursued a policy of realpolitik and used diplomacy and war to unify Germany. He skillfully manipulated conflicts with Austria and France, resulting in the successful unification of Germany in 1871.