the unification of germany

The Unification of The Unification of GermanyGermany

1815-18721815-1872

National Spirit among National Spirit among German Speaking People German Speaking People before Napoleonbefore Napoleon

Before the 19th Century, The German Before the 19th Century, The German speaking people had no idea of ‘national speaking people had no idea of ‘national feeling’feeling’

German speaking people occupied German speaking people occupied Central Europe, but the German states Central Europe, but the German states were usually very small (and the Germans were usually very small (and the Germans there mixed with other racesthere mixed with other races

The upper classes look ed towards France The upper classes look ed towards France as the cornerstone of European civilizationas the cornerstone of European civilization

German states during the German states during the Napoleonic WarsNapoleonic Wars

Napoleon’ s conquest aroused the national Napoleon’ s conquest aroused the national feeling of the German-speaking peoplefeeling of the German-speaking people

National feeling of German speaking people National feeling of German speaking people continued to develop after the 1815continued to develop after the 1815

Although a German Confederation was created Although a German Confederation was created after 1815, it was not concerned with promoting after 1815, it was not concerned with promoting a united Germany since the 39 rulers had no a united Germany since the 39 rulers had no wish to see their independence limited by the wish to see their independence limited by the establishment of a strong central governmentestablishment of a strong central government

Austria and Russia did not want to see a strong Austria and Russia did not want to see a strong Germany to be created Germany to be created

The ‘Pre-March’ The ‘Pre-March’ (Vormärz)(Vormärz)

The years 1815-48 was often called the ‘pre-The years 1815-48 was often called the ‘pre-March’ that means the prelude to the March March’ that means the prelude to the March 1848 Revolution in Berlin1848 Revolution in Berlin

Although it was a period of illiberality and Although it was a period of illiberality and repression, nationalism and liberalism developedrepression, nationalism and liberalism developed

For example, Many students joined secret For example, Many students joined secret societies to campaigned for a united Germany societies to campaigned for a united Germany and a ‘gymnasium’ movement was growing and a ‘gymnasium’ movement was growing which instructed young men in drill, physical which instructed young men in drill, physical activities and the national spiritactivities and the national spirit

The ‘Pre-March’ The ‘Pre-March’ (Vormärz)(Vormärz)

The July Revolution (1830) in Paris The July Revolution (1830) in Paris sparked off riots in several German states sparked off riots in several German states although they were eventually suppressed although they were eventually suppressed by Mutternichby Mutternich

The pace of political debate picked up and The pace of political debate picked up and public opinion grew bolder in the 1840s public opinion grew bolder in the 1840s

By the 1840s there were growing By the 1840s there were growing demands for a united Germanydemands for a united Germany

The first Movement for The first Movement for UnificationUnification

In March 1848, Germany began to create a In March 1848, Germany began to create a united Germanyunited Germany

600 liberals, attended a pre-parliament at 600 liberals, attended a pre-parliament at Frankfurt. They decided to establish a national Frankfurt. They decided to establish a national parliament through universal male suffrageparliament through universal male suffrage

Finally, they elected a Parliament consisted of Finally, they elected a Parliament consisted of 20 farmers, 150 traders and 611 lawyers, 20 farmers, 150 traders and 611 lawyers, teachers, professors and writersteachers, professors and writers

In the Parliament, they drafted a constitution In the Parliament, they drafted a constitution for the not yet unified Germanyfor the not yet unified Germany


Since the assembly came to a conclusion Since the assembly came to a conclusion that only Austria but not the whole that only Austria but not the whole Austrian Empire could be included in the Austrian Empire could be included in the “Unified Germany”, Austria withdrew from “Unified Germany”, Austria withdrew from the proposed federationthe proposed federation

The Assembly then turned to Prussia for The Assembly then turned to Prussia for leadership. They invited Frederick leadership. They invited Frederick William IV to be the Emperor of GermanyWilliam IV to be the Emperor of Germany


Frederick refused to accept the crown. Frederick refused to accept the crown. He did not want to provoke Austria, and He did not want to provoke Austria, and did not want to accept the crown offered did not want to accept the crown offered by the liberalsby the liberals

In June 1849, as Prussia, Austria, In June 1849, as Prussia, Austria, Bavaria, Hanover, Saxony and Bavaria, Hanover, Saxony and Wurttemberg had one after the other Wurttemberg had one after the other withdrawn their representatives, the withdrawn their representatives, the Assembly dissolved itself Assembly dissolved itself

The rise of PrussiaThe rise of Prussia

Prussia grew in size and population after Prussia grew in size and population after 18151815

She got part of Poland in the 18th She got part of Poland in the 18th century, and got saxony after Vienna century, and got saxony after Vienna CongressCongress

During the 19th century, reforms were During the 19th century, reforms were carried out with in Prussia to strengthen carried out with in Prussia to strengthen her powerher power


In 1818, Zollverein were created. IndustriIn 1818, Zollverein were created. Industries and trade developed rapidlyes and trade developed rapidly

In 1834, a larger custom union was creatIn 1834, a larger custom union was created and Prussia was the leader of the newed and Prussia was the leader of the newly established union.ly established union.


The economic benefits were so obvious The economic benefits were so obvious that 38 states joined the Zollverein. Only that 38 states joined the Zollverein. Only Austria was excludedAustria was excluded

Trade between German states and Trade between German states and foreign countries became easier. It foreign countries became easier. It promoted German prosperitypromoted German prosperity

It became the first step in the political It became the first step in the political unification and industrialization.unification and industrialization.

The rise of PrussiaThe rise of Prussia King William I became the King of Prussia King William I became the King of Prussia

in 1861in 1861 He embarked on programmes to increase He embarked on programmes to increase

the Prussian army from 500,000 to the Prussian army from 500,000 to 750,000 and demanded taxation increase 750,000 and demanded taxation increase in the Prussian Parliamentin the Prussian Parliament


The Parliament refused the King’s The Parliament refused the King’s demanddemand

The King ignored the Parliament and built The King ignored the Parliament and built the new armythe new army

Relationship between the King and the Relationship between the King and the Parliament turned worseParliament turned worse

William II then appointed Otto von William II then appointed Otto von Bismarck as the Prime MinisterBismarck as the Prime Minister

Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck was an Otto von Bismarck was an aristocrat. He was also a aristocrat. He was also a “Junker” (landlord). He “Junker” (landlord). He hated parliament and hated parliament and democratic ideasdemocratic ideas

He believed that Prussia He believed that Prussia would become strong would become strong through increasing the through increasing the government’s powergovernment’s power


In 1847, he became a member of In 1847, he became a member of Prussian Parliament Prussian Parliament

He was a member of the Diet of the He was a member of the Diet of the German Confederation in 1851-59German Confederation in 1851-59

In the Diet, he openly challenged the In the Diet, he openly challenged the leadership of Austrialeadership of Austria

He suggested that Germany must be He suggested that Germany must be united by Prussian’s termunited by Prussian’s term


He was appointed as Prussian He was appointed as Prussian Ambassador in 1859 to Russia. Ambassador in 1859 to Russia.

During the period, he successfully secure During the period, he successfully secure the friendship between Russia and the friendship between Russia and Prussia as to ensure that once Prussia Prussia as to ensure that once Prussia was in war against Austria, Russia would was in war against Austria, Russia would not intervenenot intervene


In 1862, he became the Prussian ambasIn 1862, he became the Prussian ambassador. He had an estimate of Napoleon IIsador. He had an estimate of Napoleon III’s weakness during his term in France I’s weakness during his term in France

Bismarck’s PoliciesBismarck’s Policies

He determined to build a strong armyHe determined to build a strong army He decided that Austria must be defeated He decided that Austria must be defeated

and expelled from the German family so and expelled from the German family so that Prussia could be the leader of that Prussia could be the leader of German statesGerman states

German states should be united and German states should be united and formed a German Empire with Prussia as formed a German Empire with Prussia as the leader the leader


Agrarian revolution to increase food Agrarian revolution to increase food supply and raw materials for supply and raw materials for industrialization industrialization

Economic reforms included building of Economic reforms included building of railways, encouragement of foreign trade, railways, encouragement of foreign trade, “joint-stock banks” were created to “joint-stock banks” were created to finance industries and trade finance industries and trade


Military reforms were also heldMilitary reforms were also held Intensive military training raised the standard of Intensive military training raised the standard of

efficiencyefficiency The military budget was increasedThe military budget was increased New weapons were inventedNew weapons were invented In order to expand the Prussian army, Bismarck In order to expand the Prussian army, Bismarck

put the newspapers under censorship and put the newspapers under censorship and dismissed all liberal elements from the dismissed all liberal elements from the governmentgovernment

New tax was raised without the approval of the New tax was raised without the approval of the Parliament to support the expansion of the army Parliament to support the expansion of the army

German-Danish German-Danish War(1864)War(1864)

BackgroundBackground1.1. The Danes controlled Schleswig-Holstein The Danes controlled Schleswig-Holstein

where most of the people in Holstein were where most of the people in Holstein were German, although the two places were not German, although the two places were not part of Kingdom of Denmark part of Kingdom of Denmark

2.2. In 1863 the new King of Denmark attempted In 1863 the new King of Denmark attempted to annex the two placesto annex the two places

3.3. This gave Prussia a golden opportunity to This gave Prussia a golden opportunity to realize her unification planrealize her unification plan


Bismarck prepared for the war:Bismarck prepared for the war:

1.1. Bismarck had strengthened the Bismarck had strengthened the Prussian army since he was appointed Prussian army since he was appointed Minister-PresidentMinister-President

2.2. He also won the friendship of Russia He also won the friendship of Russia while he was the ambassador to Russia while he was the ambassador to Russia and stopped the Poles from entering and stopped the Poles from entering into Prussia after revolts in Russia into Prussia after revolts in Russia


Bismarck also hinted Napoleon III that Bismarck also hinted Napoleon III that Prussia would support France to gain Prussia would support France to gain some territories in the Rhine area in some territories in the Rhine area in return for French neutralityreturn for French neutrality

He also proposed a conference to settle He also proposed a conference to settle the questionthe question

When Denmark refused to attend the When Denmark refused to attend the conference, Prussia, together with conference, Prussia, together with Austria, entered into the two duchies and Austria, entered into the two duchies and defeated the Danesdefeated the Danes

German-Danish German-Danish War(1864)War(1864) Convention of Gastein was signed after Convention of Gastein was signed after

the warthe war Schleswig was administered by Prussia Schleswig was administered by Prussia

and Holstein by Austriaand Holstein by Austria It would cause a lot of difficulties for It would cause a lot of difficulties for

Austria to rule Holstein because the Austria to rule Holstein because the duchy was between Prussia territories. duchy was between Prussia territories. This was expected by BismarckThis was expected by Bismarck

The war also showed the leader position The war also showed the leader position of Prussia within German statesof Prussia within German states

Austro-Prussian War Austro-Prussian War (1866)(1866)

The war was expected by BismarckThe war was expected by Bismarck Before the war, Bismarck continued to Before the war, Bismarck continued to

maintain good relationship to Russiamaintain good relationship to Russia He also met Napoleon III and promised He also met Napoleon III and promised

France to gain some land along the RhineFrance to gain some land along the Rhine He had also a secret agreement with Italy He had also a secret agreement with Italy

for an allied attack against Austriafor an allied attack against Austria As Britain was adopting an isolation policy As Britain was adopting an isolation policy

at that time, Austria was completely at that time, Austria was completely isolatedisolated


After the completion of diplomatic After the completion of diplomatic arrangement, Bismarck accused Austria arrangement, Bismarck accused Austria for supporting Augustenburg’s rule for the for supporting Augustenburg’s rule for the two duchiestwo duchies

When Austria brought the matter before When Austria brought the matter before the Diet of the German Confederation, the Diet of the German Confederation, Prussia protested that the move of Prussia protested that the move of Austria had violated the mutual Austria had violated the mutual agreementagreement


Bismarck then moved his troop into Bismarck then moved his troop into Holstein to start a warHolstein to start a war

With well-trained and well-equipped With well-trained and well-equipped army, Prussia defeated Austria and other army, Prussia defeated Austria and other German states who helped Austria within German states who helped Austria within seven weeksseven weeks

North Germany states such as Hanover North Germany states such as Hanover and Saxony fell into the hand of Prussiaand Saxony fell into the hand of Prussia


A lenient treaty, Treaty of Prague, was A lenient treaty, Treaty of Prague, was signedsigned

According to the treaty, Prussia annexed According to the treaty, Prussia annexed Schleswig-Holstein and the Northern Schleswig-Holstein and the Northern German states who supported AustriaGerman states who supported Austria

Austria had to pay a small indemnity Austria had to pay a small indemnity Italy received VenetiaItaly received Venetia The North German Confederation was The North German Confederation was

formedformed


Bismarck offered a lenient treaty to Bismarck offered a lenient treaty to Austria because he had further plan – to Austria because he had further plan – to have a war with France. have a war with France.

Such a treaty would prevent Austria to Such a treaty would prevent Austria to take revengetake revenge

Southern German states were not Southern German states were not punished because Bismarck did not want punished because Bismarck did not want to attract attention of other European to attract attention of other European PowersPowers


ConsequencesConsequences Prussia gained a lot of land. She controlled Prussia gained a lot of land. She controlled

two-third of German states after the war. Her two-third of German states after the war. Her population and natural resources had greatly population and natural resources had greatly increased increased

The harbour of Kiel provided an important The harbour of Kiel provided an important naval base for Prussia and the future Germanynaval base for Prussia and the future Germany

Prussia became the leader of the newly Prussia became the leader of the newly founded North German Confederationfounded North German Confederation

Austrian leadership among the German states Austrian leadership among the German states came to an endcame to an end


ConsequencesConsequences Since Austria was weakened by the war, Since Austria was weakened by the war, northward expansion was blocked by northward expansion was blocked by Prussia, Austria looked towards the Prussia, Austria looked towards the Balkans. Balkans.

In Balkan she conflicted with the Serbs In Balkan she conflicted with the Serbs and Russiaand Russia

In 1867, a “Dual Monarchy” composed of In 1867, a “Dual Monarchy” composed of two independent equal states was two independent equal states was established. It was called Austria-established. It was called Austria-HungaryHungary

Franco-Prussian War Franco-Prussian War (1870-71)(1870-71)

Historians always say that the a Franco-Historians always say that the a Franco-Prussian war “would sooner or later Prussian war “would sooner or later occur” because it was part of the design occur” because it was part of the design by Bismarckby Bismarck

Bismarck had prepared a war against Bismarck had prepared a war against France for a long time because he knew France for a long time because he knew that France would not tolerate a strong that France would not tolerate a strong GermanyGermany

Franco-Prussian War (1870-7Franco-Prussian War (1870-71)1)

The Ems telegraphThe Ems telegraph In 1869, the Queen of Spain was In 1869, the Queen of Spain was

overthrown. The throne was offered to overthrown. The throne was offered to Prince Leopard, a relative of William IPrince Leopard, a relative of William I

Although William I asked the Prince to Although William I asked the Prince to refuse the throne, he refused to have refuse the throne, he refused to have further assurance that his relative would further assurance that his relative would never accept the crown when he met the never accept the crown when he met the ambassador of France in Emsambassador of France in Ems


He then sent a telegraph to inform He then sent a telegraph to inform Bismarck the interviewBismarck the interview

Bismarck omitted some words of the Bismarck omitted some words of the telegraph in a way that the French telegraph in a way that the French ambassador was insulted by William I, ambassador was insulted by William I, and on the other hand, the and sent the and on the other hand, the and sent the Ems telegraph to both French and Ems telegraph to both French and German press German press


France declared war on Prussia on 14th France declared war on Prussia on 14th July, 1870July, 1870

After the Battle of Sedan on 1st After the Battle of Sedan on 1st September, Napoleon III was captured September, Napoleon III was captured and surrendered on the next dayand surrendered on the next day

The French abolished Napoleon III and The French abolished Napoleon III and proclaimed France a republic. They proclaimed France a republic. They resisted the Prussian until January 1871resisted the Prussian until January 1871


Germans won the war. The Empire of Germans won the war. The Empire of Germany was proclaimed in the hall of Germany was proclaimed in the hall of Mirrors in the Palace of VersaillesMirrors in the Palace of Versailles

The Treaty of Frankfurt was signed. The Treaty of Frankfurt was signed. France had to cede Alsace and Lorraine, France had to cede Alsace and Lorraine, pay pay ₤200 millions reparations and had to ₤200 millions reparations and had to support a German army of occupation support a German army of occupation until all reparations had been paiduntil all reparations had been paid


Why Prussia won the warWhy Prussia won the war

1.1. Prussia was well preparedPrussia was well prepared

2.2. Bismarck had successfully isolated Bismarck had successfully isolated FranceFrance

3.3. The south German states joined The south German states joined Prussia in the WarPrussia in the War

Franco-Prussian WarFranco-Prussian War (1870-71) (1870-71)

Consequences:Consequences:

1.1. Upsetting balance of powerUpsetting balance of power

2.2. German learnt a dangerous lesson: to German learnt a dangerous lesson: to use military might to acquire more land use military might to acquire more land set an bad example for Kaiser William IIset an bad example for Kaiser William II

and Hitlerand Hitler

3.3. Attempts to isolate France spilt EuropeAttempts to isolate France spilt Europe

Franco-Prussian WarFranco-Prussian War (1870-71) (1870-71)

Consequences:Consequences:

4.4. Russia rebuilt her naval strength in Russia rebuilt her naval strength in the Black Sea and caused troubles the Black Sea and caused troubles in Balkanin Balkan

5.5. Italian Unification completedItalian Unification completed6.6. Japan was encouraged by BismarcJapan was encouraged by Bismarc

k’s successk’s success

the unification of germany

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