the unification of germany 1850 - 1871
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The Unification of Germany 1850 - 1871. What are the big questions we seek answers to? Which was the most important factor causing the unification of Germany? Did Bismarck plan it all or did he take advantage of opportunities as they arose? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
What are the big questions we seek answers to?
Which was the most important factor causing the unification of Germany?
Did Bismarck plan it all or did he take advantage of opportunities as they arose?
What are historians’ opinions about the above issues?
To understand how the German states united we need to understand:
1. The Continued Growth of Nationalism2. Growing Prussian Economic Strength3. The Decline of Austria4. The Modernisation of the Prussian Army5. The Leadership of Otto von Bismarck and
the wars of unification
1. The Nationalverein (ref. McKichan p.43) 1859-1867 Was a group of Prussian liberals and
nationalists Aims
agitated for a national federation of German states under the leadership of Prussia
2. The National Liberals = Prussian political party established due to the Nationalverein
3. Impact of 1862 anniversaries of Fichte and defeats of Napoleon: increases the popularity for the spirit and
‘love of the Fatherland’ among the middle classes and intellectuals.
4. Limitations of this type of nationalism:
Not popular among the working classes as it offers them no real prospects of better working conditions
The monarchs of the German States still had the support of their armies and they controlled most of the wealth.
Question 5 Ref: p42, McK Compare growth with Austria
Austria Prussia France
Military
1850 434,000 131,000 439,000
1866 275,000 214,000 458,000
1870 252,000 319,000 452,000
Railways (km)
1850 1,579 5,856 2,915
1870 9,589 18,876 15,544
Note: 1866 Prussia’s ally, Italy had an army of 233,000
Question 6 The acquisition of the Rhineland by
Prussia (after 1815 Confederation agreement) was important to Prussia because: Rhineland has
main mineral deposits of coal, iron ore, lead, oil Is major transport/trade link to North Sea
Question 7. 1850s to 60s Zollverein continued to be
important to Prussia because: 1. the economic dominance of Prussia made
unification led to military dominance, and then to political dominance.
2. the Zollverein encouraged an anti-Austrian tradition among the Prussians so they would try to make sure any German nation would be led by Prussia without Austria.
Question 8 Bismarck’s speech in 1862. ref McK. P 48 Iron and blood = Prussian military strength Iron = weapons Blood = fighting
ie, need a well equipped army for war to unite Germany JM Keynes (economist in 1920s) with hindsight
believed the economy had more influence on unification than Bismarck
Coal and iron = economic power ie , the growth of the German economy
Question 9. ref p 42, McK Decline of Austrian political power due to: Schwarzenburg died in 1852. He was
widely respected in Europe as an able statesman, his early death has generally been seen by historians as a grave setback to Austria, as none of his successors possessed his stature or skill.
Austria failed to support Russia in Crimean war so loses a valuable ally
Question 10: ref p 41 McK Schwarzenburg wanted to create a new
customs union with Austria as the dominant power.
Plan collapsed in 1852 because smaller states refused to join. They did not to want to lose the benefits they got by being in the Zollverein with Prussia
Austria’s slow industrial growth restricted its development of new weapons so its military strength was reduced compared to Prussia’s.
Question 11 ref. p 42 McK Austrian/Russian relationship ended
because she failed to support Russia in the Crimean War (1853-56) after Russia had helped Austria suppress revolutions in Austria and allied with Austria against Prussia at Olmutz, 1850
Consequence: Austria lost Russia as a vital ally for any future support.
Question 12 Decline in Austria’s international power
due to: 1859 Austria defeated in war against Italians
who had French help. (Second Italian war of independence) so relationships with France and Russia were poor.
Austrian economy was slow to industrialise relative to Prussia, GB, France so Austria’s international status as a major power declined.