How did changes in the balance of power between 1871 and 1917 affect the history of Europe and the Middle East?

Germany was had a huge effect on the balance of power in Europe between 1870 and 1914 in everyway. Until 1870 Germany was made up of many different states, Germany was seen as one of the weak countries within Europe and was formally known as Prussia (Prussia being its biggest state). Germany was made up of 39 states, including Prussia and Austria but in 1870 Otto von Bismarck united all 39 states to form a unified Germany. Germany as a unified country was a much more strong country. Germany was controlled by the Kaiser Wilhelm the 2nd who held most of the power in a monarchy style government structure, with the chancellor and parliament below Kaiser. Kaiser was very authoritarian and was quite an unusual leader, he was quite insecure. Germany had only a small overseas country and was very jealous of Britain’s overseas empire which was much larger; because Germany had such a small overseas empire it was very hostile towards France. Germany had a rapid growth in its economy after the unification Germany’s economy got better and better although low wages made people living in Germany very unhappy. There was a trade union in place in Germany. Germany believed that its biggest threat was the socialists.