1. Nationalism Early 1800s to World War I

2. Nationalism  A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one’s country  Can be compared to school spirit

3. Germany  Early 1800s- Germany was a mixture of small and medium-sized states (not a unified country).  Napoleon’s wars (1806 to 1812) - caused German nationalism and a hatred for the French.  Germans fought to free their lands from French rule and called for a unified state

5. Otto von Bismarck  “The Iron Chancellor” – Highest ranking official of Prussia  Used policy of “blood and iron” to unite the German states under Prussian rule

6. Bismarck (continued)  Master of Realpolitik- realistic policies based on the needs of the state; power was more important than principles  Unified Germany-  Built up Prussian army  Annexed smaller, weaker German states  “Started” the Franco-Prussian War  He knew German states would unify against France

7. Franco-Prussian War (1870)  Started over a disagreement about an heir to the Spanish throne  Bismarck “edited” a telegram sent to him by the Prussian king, William  “Ems Telegram”  He made it look like William had insulted France  Napoleon III became furious and declared war  Prussia defeats France in 6 weeks  With the use of modern technology (telegraphs, railroads, breech-loading weapons)

8. Ems Telegram http://www.firstworldwar.com/ source/emstelegram.htm

9. Franco-Prussian War (continued)  Humiliating defeat for the French  Very quick defeat  Forced to pay Prussia to leave  Lost 2 border provinces: Alsace and Lorraine  Prussian victory leads to the crowning of William I as “Kaiser” (emperor)  1871- “Germany” becomes a unified nation  Becomes known as the Second Reich, or empire