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Germany 1871 (The 2nd Reich)
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United German States Prussia dominated the new Germany that was called the Second Reich. First is considered HRE The new constitution drawn up by Bismarck was a Federal system. Each of the twenty-five states had considerable control over their affairs and decided their own form of government; e.g. Bavaria and Saxony were ruled by kings. Under the constitution there were to be three branches of the Federal government: Presidency Federal Council Parliament
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Germany - The Presidency
The Presidency which was held by the King of Prussia (as German Emperor or Kaiser). The German Emperor had considerable powers. He had personal control of the armed forces. He appointed and dismissed all ministers including the Chancellor.
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The Federal Council The Federal Council (or Bundesrat) represented the different states of the Empire. 58 members 17 from Prussia, 6 from Bavaria, 4 from Saxony It had the power to change the constitution. However no change could be made to the constitution if fourteen delegates objected. This in practice meant that Prussia could always stop change.
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The Parliament The Parliament or Reichstag was elected by Universal Male Suffrage (all males over 25 could vote) and secret ballot. It voted on the Federal budget and its consent was needed for all legislation. This was the most advanced system in Europe at this time. However, the powers of the Reichstag were limited: It could not initiate legislation. It had no say in the appointment or dismissal of the Chancellor or Imperial ministers. The Imperial Chancellor was appointed by the Emperor. He was in charge of foreign policy. The Kaiser (in effect, Bismarck) could dissolve it any time with the agreement of the Bundesrat.
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Bismarck’s Campaign Against the Church
Bismarck Distrusts Catholics-especially clergy-thought loyalty was with Pope and not Germany He Launches Kulturkampf or “battle for civilization” Laws passed to make Catholics put loyalty of state above loyalty to Church Other laws would close religious orders, expel Jesuits, marriage by civil authority Plan backfires – the faithful rally behind Church Bismarck makes peace with the Church
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Bismarck’s Campaign Against the Socialists
Threat-Growing power of Socialism (Social Democratic Party) Parliamentary democracy Laws to improve conditions for the working class Bismarck dissolves the Party, shuts down newspapers, bans meetings Plan backfires again To make amends, he sponsors laws to protect workers Health, accident, old-age insurance, and retirement benefits Bismarck avoids revolution!!! Proves Realpolitik DOES have a “social reform” element
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Bismarck’s Foreign Alliances
Three Emperors League (sounds like a Disney movie) 1872 Alliance between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary. Goal of isolating France, who was still upset over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine and Revanche to Germany Triple Alliance 1882 When the French occupied Tunisia, Bismarck took advantage of Italian resentment towards France and created the Triple Alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria- Hungary In exchange for Italy's agreement to stay neutral if war broke out between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary would protect Italy from France. Reinsurance Treaty 1887 Russia and Austria-Hungary grew suspicious of each other over conflicts in the Balkans Bismarck repaired the damage to his alliances with a Reinsurance Treaty with Russia, allowing both powers to stay neutral if the other was at war.
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Kaiser William II Succeeds his Grandfather in 1888
Dismisses Bismarck in 1890 He would continue some social welfare programs such as cheap transportation, electricity, and public schooling
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Kaiser William II His main efforts, however, were spent improving the German Navy and building an impressive overseas empire through aggressive militarism rivaling Britain and France This is known as Weltpolitik As a result Bismarck’s alliances would fall by the wayside and the French would take advantage, eventually forming the Triple Entente with Britain and Russia
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Other nationalist movements
Ireland tries to break with UK after the famine (and then tries again, and again, and again)—leads to Rebellion, Civil War, IRA, etc. Balkans (most notably Serbia) try to break with Ottoman Empire and/or Austria Hungary—forming something called Greater Serbia (lots more on this later) which is still an issue today France tries to rally against “foreign” issues and united in Anti-Semitism, Dreyfus Affair Russia has to deal with autocrats ruling a huge, decaying empire
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Types of Nationalist Movements
Unification Mergers of politically divided but culturally similar lands 19th century Germany 19th century Italy Separation Culturally distant group resists being added to a state or tries to break away Balkans in the Ottoman Empire French-Canadians in Canada Ireland State-building Culturally distinct groups form into a new state by accepting a single culture The United States Turkey USSR
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German Racial Nationalism
Refresh yourself on the article that you read a couple of weeks ago What is stated? (Give me some background) How could this cause WWI? What long term impacts do you believe this type of thought could have on Germany or Europe?
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Imperialism – Strengthening Hatred
Great Britain Wanted to maintain control over their economic prosperity in order to survive and maintain as a world power France Unlike GB France has no need for exterior food supplies, they are essentially looking for prestige while they are in the process of imperializing other nations Germany What’s Weltpolitik, how well does it workout for the Germans? Germans attempt to spread beyond Germany after the “retirement” of Bismarck. This unites France & GB, which Bismarck was afraid of. Note: Germany likes to mess with France, hopefully you understood this in the reading
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19th Century Skirmishes – Nationalism at Work
Crimean War – Russia vs Ottomans (Turks), and British/French with a little bit of Austrian Empire sprinkled in Fought over control of Crimea (Modern day Ukraine) Russia claimed they were attempting to stop the spread of Islam and put in place E. Orthodox Christian Church in Crimea Really fought over the Eastern Question - How to handle Russia’s expansion? France especially combative in Crimean War – On a mission of intimidation Britain jumped in to help specifically because of the Eastern Question Austrians attempted to keep peace, but failed because hostilities between the sides were too great Caught in the middle between two sides
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19th Century Skirmishes – Nationalism at Work
Results in more Russian access to the Crimea Loss of territories for Ottoman (Turks) Gain of territories for France Land gained by Austria Was the first of multiple confrontations between Russia and Europeans/Ottomans
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19th Century Skirmishes – Nationalism at Work
Imperialism led to rivalries amongst nations and jockeying for land overseas Three major things come out of imperialism that caused problems in Europe Russo-Turkish war of Balkan nations of Serbia & Montenegro declared war on Ottoman Empire to gain their independence & fail After defeat of Serbia & Montenegro Russia saves the day and defeats Ottoman Empire (for their own devises) Russia does all of this with the approval of Austria Both Russia & Austria want control and have plans for the Balkans Strategic location, gives the shortest route to Constantinople (Istanbul) & the Mediterranean Germany (Bismarck) also throws their hand in the mix because they are fearful that Russia/Austria is going to go to war against Germany Result of the War is the Treaty of San Stefano
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19th Century Skirmishes – Nationalism at Work
2. Treaty of San Stefano Creates a large Bulgarian state extending from the Danube to the Aegean Sea This is viewed as a Russian satellite state This makes a lot of nations nervous Germany/Austria – Bismarck likes control Ottoman’s because they have just lost a large chunk of their territory All of this results in the Berlin Conference of 1878
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19th Century Skirmishes – Nationalism at Work
3. The Berlin Conference, other than dividing up Africa it… Essentially voids the treaty of San Stefano Most territories lost to Russia in the treaty are given back to the Ottoman Empire as a result of the Berlin Conference, Russia is not happy about this Ottoman’s lose Serbia, Montenegro, & Romania all recognized as independent - Ottoman’s not happy about this Furthermore, Ottoman’s lose Bosnia & Herzegovina to Austrian control Austrians could control them, but they couldn’t annex them All of this was pushed hard and dominated by none other than Bismarck
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Other things to consider
Causes of WWI M.A.I.N. Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism M.A.N.I.A.C. Militarism, Alliances, Nationalism, Assassination, Imperialism, Competition/Conflict Other things to consider Economics, internal conflicts
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Causes of WWI - Economic Anxieties
Why would European nations be nervous if Germany was importing more goods than they exported, and more than any other industrialized nation? This has the ability to cause Germany to seek out new and easier ways to obtain these goods Talk about what this means in your groups Furthermore because Germany exports more goods than any other nation European nations rely on Germany for those goods Explain how these two things could cause tension between Germany and the rest of Europe? Germans are going to attack other nations This could cause a downfall of the economy in Europe, and create strife between the nations Germany attempted to colonize and control
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Causes of WWI - Economic Anxieties
What is the Schlieffen Plan? What problems does Germany have in executing the Schlieffen Plan? Does it seem as if all of Europe is preparing for war? Schlieffen plan in the German Military plan that Count Alfred von Schlieffen put forth. This plan was to combat the Franco-Russian alliance that was rising during the later portion of the 19th century, depended on a couple of things. Germany would station troops near Belgium in the North West and sweep right to left and to the south through Belgium, Germans hypothesized they could beat France in a matter of 6 weeks Assumed Germany had more troops than France, and Germany knew that Russia could rush to Frances defense because they had poor troop transportation France began to extend the length of time citizens were required to be in the military equaling the size of Germany’s by 1915/6. Russia (with the aide of France) was beginning to build a railway system that would link the two together. Russia’s peacetime military was larger than Germany and Austro-Hungry . All of this undermines the Schlieffen plan
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What is Spielvogel’s argument on Nationalism as a cause of WWI?
Causes of WWI What is Spielvogel’s argument on Nationalism as a cause of WWI? Discuss what “Internal Dissent” is. What is Brinkmanship, how could this impact the start of WWI? Explain what militarism is, in your discussion include the explanation of conscription. How could militarism cause WWI? Spielvogel on Nationalism – Goal of industrialism and nationalism was to lead to peace as sort of a form of fraternity. Ultimately this doesn’t work out because Industrialism and Imperialism led to rivalries, which in turn created tensions between nations because they wanted to keep up with other rising and falling nations Brinkmanship – The idea of pushing things nearly to conflict, like a war. Internal Dissent – the idea that the peoples living in one nation are not all united. For example different ethnic and cultural groups within a nation. Can discuss high school cliques here. Conscription – draft, forcing people to be in the military Militarism – The idea that military leaders had to mobilize and start war if needed immediately, today people call this war mongering.
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Causes of WWI - Crisis in the Balkans
Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia (was Yugoslavia until 1990s) + Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Turkey (kind of). Very politically, religiously, and culturally diverse Used to be ruled by Ottoman Empire, which is crumbling Now split between Ottomans and Austro-Hungary Empires series of wars between the two in 1800s (creates lots of tension over the Balkans) Not as rich as rest of the empire and other parts of Europe + feelings of being conquered = lots of nationalism
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Causes of WWI - Greater Serbia
During Ottoman rule, people moved around freely, so largest ethnic group, Serbia, scattered in all these new lands Serbia 1.) believes it is their right to united lands into one larger Serbia that can be major player in Europe 2.) don’t trust A-H Plays on young nationalism starting extremist, terrorist groups known as the Black Hand Plan is to do something violent in A-H to get Serbians there to revolt and join Serbia Multiple attempts occur, however, one is pretty famous…
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Causes of WWI – Death of Ferdinand
Players Gavrillo Princip – Black Hand (Serbian State) Archduke Franz Ferdinand – Austria His Wife Sophia Europe – Everyone else Explain who each of these people are, and explain what happens. Gavrillo Princip Young serbian nationalist who is talked into assinanting Archduke Franz Ferdinand This was not the first attempt/idea to kill an Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand Heir to Austrian Empire
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Ferdinand is heir to A-H emperor Franz Josef
The Great War starts After failing to assassinate other royals, Black Hand settle on Franz Ferdinand Series of errors lead to Archduke Franz Ferdinand & wife Sofie killed June 28, 1914 Ferdinand is heir to A-H emperor Franz Josef Gavrilo Princip, 19, (member of Black Hand) assassinates him
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Austria makes ridiculous ultimatum to Serbia
The Great War starts Austria makes ridiculous ultimatum to Serbia Goal was to force a military conflict, and the had the backing of Germany Terms included Austro-Hungary investigation of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Austro-Hungary demanded Serbia remove all anti Austrian propaganda, and remove all anti Austrian terrorist organizations Only had 48 hours to comply
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Serbia rejects them; Russia promises to protect Slavic brothers Serbia
The Great War starts Serbia rejects them; Russia promises to protect Slavic brothers Serbia Germany tells them both to chill Austria asks Germany for “blank check” Kaiser is on vacation, Germany says “yes” (without thinking) Idea that regardless of what happens Germany has Austria’s back Austria attacks, Russia backs Serbia, France backs Russia (Triple Entente), Germany backs Austria
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The Great War starts Ottomans jump in to get even with Russia This is when the Schlieffen Plan (France then Russia) comes into play Britain is cautious but promises to protect Belgium (royal families friends) Germany invades France around Maginot Line via Belgium Britain declares war on Germany (because they attack France through Belgium)
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East-West vs. Central Ottoman’s join Triple Alliance to get even with Russia from Russo-Turk War Two teams: Britain (Belgium), France, Russia (Serbia) = Triple Entente Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire = Triple Alliance (Also known as the Central Powers)
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