German Unification

Background• France and Russia had long-standing policy of keeping

Germany weak and divided• Nationalism came to Germany, but different from Italy• Unification of the German states was one of

the most significant events of the late 19th C.– Changed the balance of power– 39 German states– Prussia: strong monarchy, powerful aristocrats (Junkers),

disciplined army

BackgroundNapoleon – Reorganized the German states into the

Confederation of the RhineZollverein – tariff union of German states that did not

include AustriaSeries of revolutions in German states - 1848Frankfurt Parliament of 1848

Offered crown of unified Germany to Frederick William IVTurned it down – would not accept crown “from the gutter”

Path to UnificationOtto von Bismarck

Became prime minister in 1862Served Kaiser Wilhelm IConservativeBelieved in a strong monarchQuarreled with parliament

Path to UnificationBismarck practiced Realpolitik – which

means the “politics of realism" – do what is necessary, not what is right or moral

The great questions of the day will not be decided by speeches and majority decisions – that was the mistake of 1848-1849 – but by blood and iron.

Some damned foolish thing in the Balkans will provoke the next war.

Path to Unification • The Danish War (1864) – Fought Denmark

for Schleswig and Holstein.

• Austro-Prussian War (aka The Seven Weeks War – 1866) – Defeated Austria for control of Schleswig and Holstein.– Neutralized Russia by supporting its

suppression of Poland. Gained promise of neutrality from France.

– Lenient treaty with Austria so it would not seek revenge.

Path to UnificationNorth German Confederation

President of the Confederation = King of Prussia

2 house legislature Bundesrat – members appointed by state

governmentReichstag – chosen by universal male suffrageLaws proposed by chancellor

Bismarck made the monarch and the military popular institutions.

Liberalism was very weak

Unification• Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)– Baited the French into war and won –Ems

Dispatch – OvB edited a telegram from Wilhelm I to Napoleon III making it appear that he had insulted the French king.

– Southern German states united with North German Confederation against France.

– German Empire proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles

– Strong conservative nation created. Austria was weak and Russia was behind the rest of Europe.

Outcomes• The 2nd French Republic collapsed and the

3rd Republic rose.• Italians annexed Rome.• France paid a huge indemnity and was

occupied by German troops until it was paid.

• France was forced to give up Alsace and Lorraine

• France was very bitter towards Germany for decades.

Coronation of Kaiser Wilhelm at Versailles

German Junkers Proclaim Loyalty to Wilhelm I

GOALS METHODS

BISMARCK Unification of Germany Increase Prussian Power Decrease Austrian influence in Germany

(drive them out of Germany)

“blood and iron” – war, trickery, etc… (7 Weeks War, tricked Austria; Franco-Prussian War)

Realpolitik – do whatever is necessary to achieve goals, not what is moral or right

CAVOUR Unification of Italy Make Sardinia a model of progress and

efficiency (liberalism)

Did not favor war, but was willing to use it if necessary (got involved in Crimean War to have a place at the peace negotiations in order to bring up the Italian question; joined Prussia in 7 Weeks War to get Venetia)

Used plebiscites and majority opinion to unify

Let the “Red Shirts” and Garibaldi do work for him