A Case Study in Nationalism:The Unification of Germany

1815-1871And

The Iron Chancellor

Emergence of German Nationalism

• In the Holy Roman Empire, the German states were a loose confederation of roughly 300 states

• Confederation/Federation = A union of self-governing states united by a central government– For the Holy Roman Empire, there was an emperor who

came from one of the states– This style of unionship was popular to the Germanic

peoples• Fiercely independent and proud of their culture and heritage

– Can anyone think of a modern example?

Emergence of German Nationalism

• Under Napoleon’s Empire, German nationalism thrived in the newly re-organized German States– From 300 to 30 states (still a confederation)

• Note the greater efficiency in governance– People began to argue that “Germany” should be

identified as a single state– Napoleon represented a strong leader, and the Germanic

people were willing to follow• However, Napoleon’s assault on Russia disillusioned

the German people– About 125,000 German soldiers died in that assault

Emergence of German Nationalism• “The first, original, and truly natural boundaries of states are beyond

doubt their internal boundaries. Those who speak the same language are joined to each other by a multitude of invisible bonds by nature herself. Long before any human art begins they understand each other and have the power of continuing to make themselves understood more and more clearly; they belong together and are by nature one and an inseparable whole” – Johann Gottlieb Fichte, 1764-1814

• To Fichte, what is the most important understanding of nation?

German Confederation

with the Congress of

Vienna

1) German States2) Austria 3) Prussia

Nationalities within the Hapsburg Empire

Emergence of German Nationalism

Prussia• Almost entirely German

speaking• Very conservative

(politically) in nature

Austria• A very multi-ethnic and

diverse area• Was a part of the Hapsburg

Empire

The main dilemma for German unification is whether Prussia or Austria would form the core of the new political structure

Who do you think will win out?

Otto von Bismarck:“The Iron Chancellor”

• Born 1815 and died 1898. Part of a noble family

• He served as the president of Prussia from 1862-1890– Note: he still served under kings

• He then served as the First Chancellor for the unified Germany from 1871-1890

• He is known for being very conservative, yet a pragmatic leader

Otto von Bismarck:“The Iron Chancellor”• Blood and Iron Speech

“…Prussia must concentrate and maintain its power for the favorable moment which has already slipped by several times. Prussia’s boundaries according to the Vienna treaties are not favorable to a healthy state life. The great questions of the time will not be resolved by speeches and majority decisions – that was the great mistake of 1848 and 1849 – but by blood and iron”

Blood = represents the ethnic German peopleIron = represents military power

Otto von Bismarck:“The Iron Chancellor”• Bismarck had a dream to see the German States

unified into one great nation• In the 1860’s, Bismarck used diplomacy and the

Prussian military to create a unified Germany which included:– Prussia (the dominant power)– The German Confederation

• Austria was excluded however – Bismarck did not want to share power with Austria, and Austria did not want to share power with Prussia

Realpolitik• How could Bismarck, a staunch conservative politician

achieve such wide-ranging success and approval?

Realpolitik– German Translation: real; practical; actual– A philosophy of making realistic and achievable promises, rather

than ideological or ethical promises– Only make promises you can keep!

• For example: Bismarck encouraged trade with the southern German States (Austria…) even though they were essentially enemies. This won the support of his opponents

The Story of Unification

How did Bismarck’s philosophy of “Blood and Iron” and “Realpolitik” lead to the unification of Germany?

• Read the notes on the following slides, and be prepared with an answer for tomorrow

• Compare your answers with your peers

Defeat of Denmark

• In 1853, there was a crisis of succession in Denmark, and several territories faced questions of rulership

• Bismarck issued an ultimatum that the territories of Schleswig be allowed to remain independent due to many German-speaking people living there– The Danish monarch, Christian IX refused

• So Prussia and Austria invaded and defeated the Danes– Prussia received Schleswig– Austria received Holstein

Defeat of Austria – the Austro-Prussian War• In 1855, a conflict emerged between Prussia and

Austria over Holstein and Schlesweig• Bismarck occupied Holstein which prompted Austria

to declare war• To the surprise of Europe, Prussia quickly defeated

Austria• This resulted in the creation of the North German

Confederation– Bismarck wanted to ensure Prussia’s dominance, thus

Austria was excluded from this confederation

Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871• A vacancy in the Spanish throne was contested.

Bismarck supported a German king, but was blocked by Napoleon III, the king of France

• Through clever political manipulations, Bismarck got France to declare war on Prussia– With France as the aggressor, the German states were eager to

aid Prussia in fighting France– Careful political manipulations also ensured that the other

European states would not help France• German military generals wanted to require France to

surrender defensive territory to Prussia, however Bismarck opposed the annexation. Why do you think he did this?

The Story of Unification

How did Bismarck’s philosophy of “Blood and Iron” and “Realpolitik” lead to the unification of Germany?

• So what is your answer to the question above?

• What do your peers think?• Be ready to share tomorrow

• Also, answer the question on slide 16

Quotes by Bismarck• A government must not waver

once it has chosen its course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward.

• Be polite; write diplomatically. Even in a declaration of war one observers the rules of politeness

• Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war

• There is a providence that protects idiots, drunkards, children, and the United States of America

• When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn’t the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice

• Whoever speaks of Europe is wrong, it is a geographical expression.

German Unification

Summary

• First – the coming together of the German Confederation and Prussia to form the North German Confederation

• Second – the Austro-Prussian War in which Prussia emerges victorious, and gains Austrian lands. Austria is prevented from joining, even if they wanted to

• Third – the Franco-Prussian War in which Prussia defeated France and annexed some French territories. The European powers had no idea how to respond!

Creation of a GERMAN EMPIRE

Governance within the North German Confederation• The North German Confederation had its own

legislature called the Reichstag– The King of Prussia, William I became its president– Bismarck became its chancellor

• Notice the presence of some ideas of parliamentary session – however, power was centralized and Bismarck essentially held all of the power

Governance within the North German Confederation• With the defeat of France, the North German

Confederation was declared the German Empire– William I of Prussia was declared emperor– Bismarck remained chancellor (de-facto ruler)– The government remained highly centralized and autocratic.

The middle classes did not participate in it (unlike Britain, France, and Italy {which had recently unified as well})

• Notice the term changes:– Confederation -> president– Empire -> emperor

Key Ideas• Concept of Federation

– Germany is unique in that it was formed based on the idea of a political system unifying independent and self-governing states

• Conservativeness– The central government remained highly autocratic and resisted

many of the new political ideas of liberalism at the time• Ethnic Ties

– For Bismarck’s Germany, and the German people, the German language and heritage was vital. Hence, the desire for the French territories of Alsace and Lorraine to become part of the German Empire• This was coupled with a strong military presence and tradition

Key Words• Confederation/Federation• Otto von Bismarck• Iron Chancellor• Blood and Iron Speech• Realpolitik• North German Confederation• Reichstag• Austro-Prussian War• Franco-Prussian War• German Empire