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The 19th-century saw the creation of two major new states in western Europe: Italy and Germany. The precise shape and configuration of Germany, in particular, was not a forgone conclusion, nor of course were its subsequent patterns of development. However, it was clear at an early stage that whatever political arrangement was arrived at for these key lands of the Holy Roman Empire, their influence - intellectual, cultural, and artistic as well as social, economic, and political - would be formidable. Based on the first part of "Germany since 1800", this account has been revised and updated throughout and a new chapter on World War I added. It provides an introduction to the key issues of the period, informed by the latest research.