European power prior to 1871 had been dominated by a handful of larger countries. Various smaller states existed but had little influence in the overall politics of Europe. Germany and Italy would, however, upset this balance.
Germany and Italy took advantage of increasing nationalism taking place in Europe. These countries would form a series of unions to finally emerge as more influential states. As nationalists were behind these movements, other countries in Europe feared what would happen next. If the nationalists in other parts of Europe could unite and now prove to be rivals, what would then happen to the general order of politics for the rest of Europe? The very fabric of peace that had followed the wars of the early 19th Century was