1. The Unification of Germany

2. Prussia Defeated by Napoleon in 1806
France dominated the Prussians, although they were able to get around the impositions
Created a large, well trained army of reserve soldiers; helped to defeat the French in 1813 and 1815 (Waterloo)
1 of 4 great powers at the Congress of Vienna in 1815

3. Congress of Vienna
Created German Confederation, including Prussia (strongest in the Confederation); Austria remained in a position of influence over southern German states
Granted important territories to Prussia
German Confederation increased feelings of German nationalism that had begun while under French rule

4. The Zollverein
Customs union established in 1834 abolishing tariffs within the Confederation
Led by the Junkers-a group of aristocratic landowners beginning in Prussia
Zollverein allowed prices to remain lower and more uniform, members adopted uniform systems of weights, measures, and currency
Industrialization spread due to the free market
Therefor, 1st major step to German unification happened in the economy

5. Political Unification
Following uprisings in France, liberals called for reforms in the Confederation
National Assembly elected to try to unify Germany
Drafted a constitution-kept monarchy
Limited monarch’s power with an elected legislature

6. Prussian Buildup William I becomes King of Prussia in 1861
Appointed Otto von Bismarck head of cabinet
Conservative Junker politician
Built Prussian army
Opposed democracy and a legislature/parliament
When the parliament opposed Bismarck, he ignored them
Believed it was Prussia’s destiny to lead German unification, and to do it through war

7. Bismarck Goals to increase Prussia’s size and power
Drive Austria from a position of leadership within the German Confederation
Remove any Austrian influence in the southern German states
Decided war was the only way to achieve this; led to three wars

8. Danish War
Fought over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, ruled by Denmark
Denmark tries to annex Schleswig
Austria and Prussia protest, Denmark refuses
Austria and Prussia declare war
1864 Denmark surrenders, Prussia controls Schleswig (made up of Germans and Danes), Austria controls Holstein (made up entirely of Germans)

9. Seven Weeks War
Fought over ongoing dispute with Austria over Schleswig and Holstein
Austria into declares war in 1866
Prussia uses technology to quickly defeat the Austrians
Trains, telegraph, modern weaponry
Treaty of Prague
Prussia gains Holstein
Dissolves German Confederation; northern states join with Prussia to form North German Confederation
King of Prussia is president (each state self-governs)

10. Franco-Prussian War
Unification needed southern German states to join new confederation
1870 telegram incident angers French; they declare war on Prussia
War took less than a year, France lost important territories
Prior to peace treaty being signed, all allied German states met in Versailles

11. Hall of Mirrors/Palace of Versailles
January 1871 all German states (except Austria) declare Germany to be an empire
King William I named Emperor, “Kaiser”
Bismarck named chancellor (chief minister); nicknamed “Iron Chancellor”

12. German Empire Constitution calls for 25 states in federal gov’t
Federal gov’t responsible for foreign affairs, nat’l defense, and economic issues
States responsible for all else
Legislature
Bundesrat, upper house, appointed
Reichstag, legislative assembly, elected, limited power
Gov’t favored Prussia (Kaiser, appt in B, most pop in R)

13. Vocabulary/Identification
Junkers
Zollverein
Nationalism
Treaty of Prague
Franco-Prussian War
Danish War
King/Kaiser William I
Seven Weeks War
Kaiser
Bundesrat
Reichstag
Universal Male Suffrage
Otto von Bismarck
Congress of Vienna

14. Problems with the Empire
Constitution gave people little voice; groups not satisfied formed political parties (especially Centre Party and socialist parties) opposing Bismarck’s policies
Increased tensions between the Prussian areas and the other parts of the Empire
Bismarck’s distrust of Catholics (he is Protestant)

15. Kulturkampf (“culture struggle”)
Bismarck’s anti-Catholic program
Expelled Jesuits
Forbade pulpit politics
Catholic clergy must be educated in German schools
Broke diplomatic relations with Vatican
Confiscated church property

16. Kulturkampf Centre Party doubled in size
Many non-Catholic liberals join
Socialist parties also growing in strength
By 1878 Bismarck needed Centre Party support against socialists
Reestablished ties with Vatican
Laws against Catholics eased or repealed
Kulturkampf ends in 1887 (seen as failure)

17. Industrialization Rich supply natural resources (water, coal, iron)
Excellent transportation (RR, canals, rivers)
Started after GB and US, able use best methods and already invented machinery
Government intervention
Standardized banking and currency
Postal service
Price controls, cartels
Protectionist tariffs

18. Socialism
As industrialization rapidly expanded, calls for reforms and regulations
1869 Social Democratic Party established
Urban workers
Grew rapidly
Members elected to Reichstag giving them a public forum to explain party platform
Support increased

19. Bismarck’s Antisocialist Campaign
1878 two assassination attempts against the emperor
Bismarck blames the SDP for both
Emperor disbands Reichstag and holds new elections, widespread campaigns against socialism
New laws prohibiting publication of socialist ideas and socialist meetings/rallies

20. Bismarck’s Antisocialist Campaign
As socialist support grows, Bismarck grants some reforms in hopes of reducing “need” for socialism
1883 laws giving workers employer paid health and accident insurance
Laws limiting working hours and giving certain holidays
Provide pensions for disabled and retired workers

21. Bismarck Resigns
Kaiser William I dies 1888; succeeded by Frederick III, then William II
William II strongly conservative/absolutist
Reduced Bismarck’s powers, got involved in areas previously controlled by Bismarck
Bismarck angered, offers resignation, William II accepts it

22. Kaiser William II
Expands policies to increase industrialization and modernization
Increase size and strength of army
New alliances with surrounding countries
Expands the German navy to compete with the strongest in the world (Great Britain)
By early 1900s, Germany is one of the strongest nations in the world

23. Vocabulary/Identify Centre Party Kulturkampf Cartel Socialism
Social Democratic Party
Kaiser William II