However, it's important to note that:
* This was not a single, definitive event. The process was long and complex, involving numerous political, economic, and social factors.
* The Frankfurt Parliament ultimately failed to achieve its goal.
* The actual unification took place in 1871, under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck.
Therefore, while 1848 marked a significant beginning, it's more accurate to say that the unification was a gradual process that spanned several decades, culminating in 1871.