Why did the Germans want to create a unified state? (1871)

Strength is in unity. The Germans wanted to unite their lands in order to become a powerful state in Europe. Other countries wanted to slow down this process in order to prevent the strengthening of Germany. One of these opponents was France. Nevertheless, France was defeated in the war. Ultimately, the German lands were unified. Thus, Germany at the end of the 19th century was able to become one of the most powerful states in Europe.