German Unification

Focus Question Was the unification of Italy more liberal or conservative? Why? What about Germany?

FACTORS PROMOTING UNITY Common Nationality emerging Napoleon & Congress of Vienna Zollverein

Common Nationality As opposed to Austria, who was more ethnically diverse Especially with the emergence of Prussia as a great power, Germans rallied around the “Prussian spirit” Writers chronicled their version of “German-ness”

JOHANN FICHTE (1762-1814) CLAIMED EXISTENCE OF A “GERMAN SPIRIT” GERMANY MORE NOBLE & MUST LEAD CIVILIZED WORLD

GEORG HEGEL (1762-1831) PREDICTED UNIFICATION OF GERMANY STATE NOT BOUND TO RESPECT ANY INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

JAKOB & WILHELM GRIMM LINGUISTS TRAVELING GERMANY RESEARCHING DIALECTS & FOLK TALES PROCLAIMED GERMAN LANGUAGE WAS PRE-EMINENT OVER OTHER LANGUAGES

Napoleon’s Influence Unified German peoples against him Spread nationalist ideas

Congress of Vienna (1815) German states reduced to 39 controlled by Austria (German Confederation) Confederation was weak and ineffective at stirring nationalist feelings

The “Three Germanies”

Zollverein (1819) Encouraged free trade among German states & maintained high tariffs against non-members Benefited German workers and manufacturers

FAILURE OF THE 1848 REVOLUTION German liberals led a series of revolts aimed at ending autocracy & unifying Germany Frankfurt Assembly (Parliament) convened to institute democratic rule; proclaimed German unification. Offered king of Prussia to be emperor of unified Germany but he REJECTED Wanted to be elected by princes HRE style

FAILURE OF THE 1848 REVOLUTION King of Prussia refused offer Conservatives retake power End of Frankfurt assembly

A history of disunity No natural boundaries France and Austria Obstacles to Unity A history of disunity No natural boundaries France and Austria

Otto von Bismarck Chief minister of Prussia – 1862 Member of land owning aristocracy (Junkers) Loyalty to the King Manipulator (Machiavelli style)

Bismarck rejects liberalism The master of “Realpolitik” Politics based on reality, not idealism AKA nations acting in their own interests rather than trying to uphold ideals like altruism, morals, etc. Germany will be won by blood & Iron!

Kaiser William (Wilhelm??) I Hohenzollern King of Prussia (1861-1888) Became emperor of Germany (1871) Supporter of Bismarck

Helmuth von Moltke Prussian General & Chief of Staff Assured Bismarck’s success by building large, powerful army & achieving military success

STEPS IN GERMAN UNIFICATION (1862-1871)

STEP 1: CREATION OF PRUSSIAN MILITARY POWER: 1862-Bismarck requested the build up of German military Prussian legislature refused Bismarck ignored law makers & violated Prussian constitution by ruling as a dictator until 1867 Bismarck & von Moltke create strong and powerful military

STEP 2: ELIMINATION OF AUSTRIAN INFLUENCE: Danish War (1864) – Bismarck brought about war with Denmark over control of Schleswig & Holstein With help from Austria, Denmark was defeated Prussia & Austria share influence of the 2 regions

STEP 2: ELIMINATION OF AUSTRIAN INFLUENCE: Austro-Prussian War (1866) – Bismarck starts war with Austria over control of conquered territories von Moltke’s armies quickly defeat Austria Prussia gains control of territories and Austria loses control of Germany

STEP 3: NORTH GERMAN CONFEDERATION (1867) Bismarck annexed several north German states Compelled the remaining ones to join in a Prussian-dominated North German Confederation Southern German states still remain under Prussian influence due to the Zollverein

STEP 3: NORTH GERMAN CONFEDERATION (1867) Franco-Prussian War (1867-1871) – Bismarck starts war with France to unify southern German states with Prussia EMS Telegram – Bismarck changed a message to be insulting to France, starts war von Moltke’s armies defeated France

STEP 3: NORTH GERMAN CONFEDERATION (1867) With the Treaty of Frankfurt… FRANCE CEDED TO GERMANY THE PROVINCES OF ALSACE & LORRAINE PAY GERMANY HUGE WAR INDEMNITY CONSENTED TO GERMAN MILITARY OCCUPATION UNTIL INDEMNITY WAS PAID PLANTED SEEDS FOR WORLD WAR I

STEP 4: ESTABLISHMENT OF GERMAN EMPIRE (1871) During Franco-Prussian War, southern German states unified with Prussia 1871- at Palace of Versailles, Bismarck proclaimed William I as Emperor of German Empire Second Reich

Formation of the German Reich 1870

CATILINE = “conspirator”

The United German Empire - 1871

Assignment List Liberalism/Conservatism/Nationalism readings/questions Greek Independence DBQ outline Dickens Readings Questions 1848 Revolutions Chart, Mazzini SOAPPS on back France’s 2nd Empire & Hausmann’s Paris Reading Questions Focus Questions from Chapter 21-22