Nationalism Italian and German Unification

Italian Unification Story of three men

Giuseppe Mazzini—publicist “The Heart” Camillo Cavour—stateman “The Head” Giuseppe Garibaldi—soldier “The Sword”

Until 1850 Italy was dominated by outsiders Austrian Empire and Pope led opposition Many different visions of a united Italy Many were apathetic to idea

Nationalism Movement spread by a secret society

—Carbonari(coal-burners) Influenced by French Revolution Led revolts in 1820 and 1831 Giuseppe Mazzini—prophet of Italian

Nationalism Formed new group called Young Italy Campaigns for national Italian dialect

Unification comes by military and diplomatic means

Primarily under the leadership of the one state in Italy under Italian control, the Kingdom of Sardinia/Piedmont

Count Camillo Cavour Prime Minister of Kingdom of Sardinia Build Sardinia/Piedmont into modern

economically sound state Clear objectives for Sardinia- Politics of

reality Northern Italy under Sardinia’s control

Not interested in Southern Italy Too different-poor and agrarian

Establish kingdom as a serious European power Fights in Crimean war Negotiates French support in war with Austria

Creation of a Unified Northern Italy Prompted by Piedmont’s victory over

Austria, several Italian revolt. Tuscany, Modena, Parma and

Romagna revolt and vote to join Piedmont.

By 1869, Italy consists of three region, a northern Italian Kingdom, the Papal States and the Kingdom of Two Sicilies

Giuseppe Garibaldi Leader of a guerilla movement Expedition of the Thousand (Red

Shirts) Venture south into Sicily to bring about

revolution Quickly overthrow the corrupt

government of the Two Sicilies Cavour now invades the south and

“takes” (or is it “unites”?) the prize from Garibaldi.

Unification By 1861, all of Italy except Rome and

Venetia are united. Leadership under King Victor

Emmanuel II of Sardinia Venetia will be added in 1866 Rome seized in 1870.

Problems after Unification Italy—poor w/ large illiterate

population Division between church and state Economic divisions between the North

and South Localism too strong in many areas

Development of local strongmen Little knowledge of and participation in

gov’t

Solutions to problems? Industry and trade were fostered by

govt—transformismo Improved ag methods dev’d Gov’t encouraged emigration to US—

ease over-popn due to high birthrate High taxes pd to support growing

Army and Navy

German Unification The last big unification piece of the 19th

century Most important in Europe from 1848 to 1914 Transformed the economic, military and

diplomatic balance of power The question of German unification would

center around the two dominate German speaking countries of the period—Prussia and Austria

After 1848, Prussia was the increasing dominate power.

Otto von BismarckComes to dominate Prussian, then German

politics from 1962-1890 Prussian Chancellor from 1862 One of most remarkable leaders of 19th century Came from Junker class (noble landlord) in East

Prussia Practiced realpolitik, little faith in liberalism or

nationalism. Practical, pragmatic. Any means necessary

Conservative, but willing to work with middle class liberals

Iron and Blood speech(1862)—willing to use force to unify Germany, strengthen Prussia

Early Steps to Unification Existing Pieces

Zollverein—customs union Maintained economic links Excluded Austria

Frankfurt Assembly—Assembly of all German states to exchange ideas

Bismarck needed to establish dominance in the Prussian government Weaken power of liberals Issue of taxation for expanded army

Wars of Unification War with Denmark(1864)

Dispute over Schleswig-Holstein Supported by Austria Joint occupation

War with Austria(1866) Seven Weeks’ War Provoked war in Schleswig and Holstein Quickly defeated Austria and German allies Austria forced to give up role within Germany

North German Confederation Formation of the North German

Confederation Prussia annexes Hanover, Hesse, Nassau and

Frankfurt Sets up basis of political structures

Appearance of liberalism but in reality a military monarchy

2 House Legislature-- Bundesrat and Reichstag Little real power

Liberalism defeated by dream of unification

Franco-Prussian War In many ways can be viewed as the

first shots of World War I. Napoleon III realizes after Prussian

victories in Denmark and Austria that he must prevent German unification.

Bismarck’s goal was to complete unification by bringing into union the Catholic South German states.

Ems Telegram Bismarck finds an diplomatic issue as

excuse for war Question of member of German Royal

Family assuming Spanish throne France opposes for strategic purposes

(encirclement) Pressures Wilhelm I to refuse Pushes issue too far Bismarck edits telegram from Kaiser –makes it

appear as a German insult to France Popular press forces France to declare war

on Prussia—matter of honor

War France is ill-prepared for conflict

Technologically backward compared to Prussia War was over in 6 months The states of Southern Germany joined the

Northern German Confederation against France.

Prussians strike a devastating defeat on the French at Sedan Captured 100,000 French troops Take Napoleon III prisoner

Peace Terms France forced to pay a humiliating

price for defeat 5 billion franc reparations Alsace and Lorraine turned over to

Germany Important industrial region of France

Northern France occupied for three years Plants the seeds for future year

French will vow revenge for embarrassment

Creation of a German Empire Bismarck and Wilhelm I proclaim a

German Empire at Versailles. Another insult to France

German Princes remained heads of their respective states within the Empire.

Culmination of Bismarck’s activities Consolidated German Empire: uniform

currency and legal code Suppress Catholics in South:

Kulturkampf:restrict church , esp. in ed and clergy

Impact Fact and manner of German unification

produced long term effects on Europe New German Empire far stronger than Prussia

alone Militarily, economically it is strongest nation in

Europe Blow to European liberalism

New state is a conservative monarchy Major impact on Balance of Power

France and Austria weakened Simmering French hatred

Germany will now become a defender of the status quo

Other Actions of Bismarck Tried to suppress the socialists:

Socialists appealed to urban workers who resented low pay and bad working conditions.

Bismarck tried to suppress them forcibly 1878 w/ anti-socialist laws, but failed.

By the 1880’s, Bismarck began to undermine them by supporting social legislation to gain the support of the workers.

These programs incl. unemployment insurance & workers’ comp., and soc. Sec. payments for retired Germans.

Germany 1888: William II (defender of divine

right) became king and Bismarck remained the chancellor, until he was dismissed by William.

William II did the following: Built up a strong army & navy Encouraged industry & commerce Encouraged imperialism and annexation

Austria-Hungary Emperor Francis-Joseph tried to solve

problems, they were too great for one ruler Problems faced by the empire included:

The great number of national minorities which were living in the empire

Over-extension of the empire into areas, such as Italy

Failure to compete with the growing power of Prussia.

Absolutist, dynastic and agrarian liberal, nationalistic and industrial

Dual Monarchy

Revolts occurred in the Hungarian part of the empire between 1861 & 1867.

Defeat by Prussia and losses in Italy cause Austria to decl. in influence and power

1867: Ausgleich: Austria and Hungary under one monarch--Dual Monarchy (Austro-

Hungarian empire) Hungary given control of its own affairs and control over its own

minorities, make its own laws the Hungarians (Magyars) dominant over other nationalities in

regiondoes not give autonomy to other minorities\ Hungarians recog’d the emperor and accepted common policies for

finances & foreign policy.Austria faced many revolts between 1860 & 1914