Blood and Iron The Rise of Germany

The Last of the Great European States Peace of Westphalia split Holy Roman Empire in 1648 Peace of Westphalia split Holy Roman Empire in 1648

Impact of Napoleon… Napoleon reconfigured old Holy Roman Empire into the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806 Napoleon reconfigured old Holy Roman Empire into the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806

The German Confederation at the Congress of Vienna at the Congress of Vienna Diet at Frankfurt regulated loose knit state members Diet at Frankfurt regulated loose knit state members Austria dominated Austria dominated Prussia was feared Prussia was feared

Prussia Strong Central government in Berlin Strong Central government in Berlin Junkers – noble families who controlled politics and the military 1834 – created Zollverein 1834 – created Zollverein excluded Austria Why? Zollverein – economic union

Conservatives come to Power 1848 – Liberal revolutions across Europe 1848 – Liberal revolutions across Europe Prussian military puts down Prussian military puts down King William I names Otto Von Bismarck Prime Minister King William I names Otto Von Bismarck Prime Minister More State Control More State Control William’s Coat of Arms

Bismarck Went around liberal Diet and collected taxes illegally to support his army Went around liberal Diet and collected taxes illegally to support his army “Blood and Iron” decide events “Blood and Iron” decide events Realpolitik – by any means necessary Realpolitik – by any means necessary

Prussian Goals Expand Military Expand Military Reduce Austrian Power Reduce Austrian Power Unify Germany (except Austria and the Swiss) Unify Germany (except Austria and the Swiss)

3 Wars to Meet the Goals 1. Took Schleswig (Prussian supported) and Holstein (Austrian Supported) from the Danes 1. Took Schleswig (Prussian supported) and Holstein (Austrian Supported) from the Danes Intentionally antagonistic Intentionally antagonistic Split allegiances of German states Split allegiances of German states

7 Weeks War Against Austria 2. Against Austria Split potential Austrian allies by: Split potential Austrian allies by: helping Russia against the Poles helping Russia against the Poles buying French neutrality with money buying French neutrality with money buying Italy with promise of Venice buying Italy with promise of Venice

Results of the War Austria split from German control Austria split from German control Specifically not crushed – might need her later 1867 – N. German Confederation 1867 – N. German Confederation no Austria Universal male suffrage

How to Unite Germany? Southern Catholic German States feared Protestant Prussia Southern Catholic German States feared Protestant Prussia France Feared united Germany France Feared united Germany

Franco- Prussian War 3 rd War for Bismarck 3 rd War for Bismarck 1868 –Spain revolts, offers Hohenzollerns the throne 1868 –Spain revolts, offers Hohenzollerns the throne Ems Telegram France declares war on Prussia South joins the War, UNITED!!!

GERMANY!!! Jan. 18, 1871, Germany created Jan. 18, 1871, Germany created William becomes the Kaiser, Bismarck the chancellor William becomes the Kaiser, Bismarck the chancellor Strong, centralized military-industrial state Strong, centralized military-industrial state

German Economy Zollverein worked to urbanize and industrialize Zollverein worked to urbanize and industrialize Saar & Rhine River Valleys become industrial heartland Saar & Rhine River Valleys become industrial heartland Socialism Socialism Lasalle and the threat of Socialists to Germany Lasalle and the threat of Socialists to Germany

Bismarck’s Response to Socialism Outlaws labor groups Outlaws labor groups Appropriated their ideas to stop dissent Appropriated their ideas to stop dissent Sickness Insurance Old-age Insurance

Germany and Religion Bismarck hated Catholics – they believed in Rome, not Berlin Bismarck hated Catholics – they believed in Rome, not Berlin Kulturkampf Kulturkampf Catholics, the Center Party and Papal Infallibility Catholics, the Center Party and Papal Infallibility

Repression of Catholics Expulsion of Jesuits Expulsion of Jesuits May Laws – 1873 May Laws – 1873 Antagonize the Catholic Church Antagonize the Catholic Church Pius IX breaks ties Pius IX breaks ties Center Party gains in strength Center Party gains in strength

End of the Kulturkampf Socialism gaining in Germany Socialism gaining in Germany Bismarck needs Catholic support to defeat them Bismarck needs Catholic support to defeat them Pius IX dies in 1878, Bismarck (realpolitik) makes peace with Leo XIII in 1881 Pius IX dies in 1878, Bismarck (realpolitik) makes peace with Leo XIII in 1881

The End of Bismarck conservative militarist Kaiser William dies. 100 days later, liberal son Frederich III dies, too conservative militarist Kaiser William dies. 100 days later, liberal son Frederich III dies, too. William II now Kaiser William II now Kaiser Absolutist – doesn’t share power Absolutist – doesn’t share power Bismarck resigns Bismarck resigns