Global ConnectionsUnit 8 part 4

Italian UnificationGerman Unification

Otto Von Bismark Named Chancellor of Prussia by

King Wilhelm I in 1862 Master of “Realpolitik” Not really a German nationalist

(loyal to Hohenzollern dynasty) Policy key: make the army

stronger for aggressive foreign policy (“Blood and Iron”)

The position of Prussia in Germany will not be determined by its liberalism but by its power ... Prussia must concentrate its strength and hold it for the favourable moment, which has already come and gone several times. Since the treaties of Vienna, our frontiers have been ill-designed for a healthy body politic. Not through speeches and majority decisions will the great questions of the day be decided - that was the great mistake of 1848 and 1849 - but by iron and blood.

3 Wars

The conflict for Schleswieg and Holstein (1864)– 2 Danish provinces that contained a few

Germans– Bismark allies with the Austrians to

“liberate” the Germans in these territories

– Result: after an easy victory Austria gains Holstein and Prussia gains Schleswieg

– The point?

The 7 Weeks War (1866)

Provoked by border disputes in Holstein Austria declares war on Prussia– After a quick 7 week victory Prussia

defeats Austria and lost Holstein to Prussia and Venetia to Italy

– Also the German confederation is replaced by the North German Confederation and Austria is excluded

The Franco-Prussian War (1870)

The immediate cause was a vacancy on the Spanish throne that was offered to a Hohenzollern

Napoleon III of France objected (why?) The Ems telegram

– Bismarck coaxed a declaration of war out of France by making them believe that William I had insulted French diplomat

– France declares war on Prussia making it easy for Bismarck to unite the Northern and Southern German states

– Kaiser William I creates the Second German Reich

Fighting Words "After the news of the renunciation of the Prince

von Hohenzollern had been communicated to the Imperial French government by the Royal Spanish government, the French Ambassador in Ems made a further demand on His Majesty the King that he should authorize him to telegraph to Paris that His Majesty the King undertook for all time never again to give his assent should the Hohenzollerns once more take up their candidature.

His Majesty the King thereupon refused to receive the Ambassador again and had the latter informed by the adjutant of the day that His Majesty had no further communication to make to the Ambassador."

Outcome

King Wilhelm I named Kaiser (emperor)

Second Reich Balance of Power in Europe tilted towards Germany/U.K.