German Unification
Global History II Chapter 23
1848 Revolutions Follow
Napoleon’s Path of Conquest
Europe 1848
Europe 2006
Germany: 1815
● Creation of the German Confederation under
the presidency of Austria. Prussia and Austria
were the two most powerful German states.
Traditionally Austria was recognized as the most
important. There was a strong popular movement
for unification but neither Austria nor Prussia was
prepared to allow it happen.
Otto Von Bismarck:
“The Iron Chancellor”
1815-1898
Realpolitik
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Realistic Politics based on the needs of
the state
– Whatever actions necessary to achieve his desired goals.
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Power more important than principles
“Blood and Iron” Philosophy
– He wanted to eliminate Austrian influence and bring about unification on
Prussian terms.
– Expand Germany’s Economy and Industrial base with use of its
resources.
– Do not make the same mistakes that were made by the French in 18481849.
3 Wars for Unification

1st: An Austrian-Prussian invasion of Schleswig-Holstein led to the end of Danish
control of these provinces. Prussia gained a lot of support especially among German
nationalists who wanted to see these provinces come under German control.
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2nd:
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3rd: Franco-Prussian War results in the completion of German Unification
Austro-Prussian War results in Prussian control (Annexes) of several northern
German states.
– Dissolved the old confederation and establishes a new one dominated by Prussia
– Southern states were left independent, form military alliances with Prussia
–
William I of Prussia assumes the role of Kaiser, or emperor of Germany, with Otto
Von Bismarck as Chancellor.
Germany 1871
● The new German Empire
emerged as Europe’s
foremost military power.
Prussia dominated this new
German state.
Meeting at Versailles
United German States
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Prussia dominated the new Germany that was
called the Second Reich.
The new constitution drawn up by Bismarck was a
Federal system.
Each of the twenty-five states had considerable
control over their affairs and decided their own
form of government; e.g. Bavaria and Saxony were
ruled by kings.
Under the constitution there were to be three
branches of the Federal government:
The Presidency

The Presidency which was held by the
King of Prussia (as German Emperor). The
German Emperor had considerable powers.
He had personal control of the armed
forces. He appointed and dismissed all
ministers including the Chancellor.
The Federal Council

The Federal Council (or Bundesrat)
represented the different states of the
Empire. It had fifty-eight members.
Seventeen were from Prussia, six from
Bavaria, four from Saxony. It had the power
to change the constitution. However no
change could be made to the constitution if
fourteen delegates objected. This in practice
meant that Prussia could always stop
change.
The Parliament

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The Parliament or Reichstag was elected by Universal
Male Suffrage (all males over 25 could vote) and Secret
Ballot. It voted on the Federal budget and its consent was
needed for all legislation. This was the most advanced system
in Europe at this time.
However, the powers of the Reichstag were limited:
– It could not initiate legislation.
– It had no say in the appointment or dismissal of the Chancellor
or Imperial ministers. The Imperial Chancellor was appointed by
the Emperor. He was in charge of foreign policy.
– The Kaiser (in effect Bismarck) could dissolve it any time with
the agreement of the Bundesrat.
Campaign Against the
Church

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Bismarck Distrusts Catholics-especially clergy-thought loyalty was
with Pope and not Germany
He Launches Kulturkampf or “battle for civilization”
– Laws passed to make Catholics put loyalty of state above loyalty to
Church
– Other laws would close religious orders, expel Jesuits, marriage by civil
authority

Plan BACKFIRES-faithful rally behind Church
– Bismarck makes peace with the Church
Campaign Against the
Socialists

Threat-Growing power of Socialism (Social Democratic Party)
– Parliamentary democracy
– Laws to improve conditions for the working class
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Bismarck dissolves the Party, shuts down newspapers, bans meetings
Plan BACKFIRES again
– To make amends, he sponsors laws to protect workers
– Health, accident, old-age insurance, and retirement benefits
– Bismarck avoids revolution!!!
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Proves Realpolitik DOES have a “social reform” element
Bismarck’s Foreign
Alliances

Three Emperors League
– 1872 Alliance between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary.
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Goal of isolating France, who was still upset over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine
and Revanche to Germany
Triple Alliance
– 1882 When the French occupied Tunisia, Bismarck took advantage of
Italian resentment towards France and created the Triple Alliance
between Germany, Italy and Austria- Hungary
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In exchange for Italy's agreement to stay neutral if war broke out between
Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary would protect Italy
from France.
Reinsurance Treaty
– 1887 Russia and Austria-Hungary grew suspicious of each other over
conflicts in the Balkans
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Bismarck repaired the damage to his alliances with a Reinsurance Treaty with
Russia, allowing both powers to stay neutral if the other was at war.
Kaiser William II
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Succeeds his Grandfather in 1888
Dismisses Bismarck in 1890
He would continue some social
welfare programs such as cheap
transportation, electricity, and
public schooling
His main efforts, however, were
spent improving the German Navy
and building an impressive
overseas empire through
aggressive militarism rivaling
Britain and France
Bismarck’s alliances would fall by
the wayside and the French would
take advantage, eventually forming
the Triple Entente with Britain and
Russia
World War I Alliances