Notes on Germany in the 19th century
I.
Germany before Unification
A.
Why did Germany remain divided into small states and regional powers long after other European
states became strongly centralized?
B.
II.
What effects did the extension of the Napoleonic Empire have on Germany? (How did this help create
an environment in which unification would be possible?)
Germany during unification
A.
The Zollverein - (1834) - A German customs union (free-ish trade area) led by Prussia
1.
Puts the idea of German unity into a practical form
2.
Allows German states to see Prussia as a leading power in unification instead of Austria
B.
Iron and Blood - Realpolitik and Otto von Bismarck
1.
Personal Bio - Junker - strong allegiance to the Kaiser
2.
Willing to override the will of the assembly
“The great questions of the day will not be decided by speeches and resolutions - that was the blunder
of 1848 and 1849 - but by blood and iron” - How does he get away with dismissing middle class
liberals?
C.
The process of unification - Realpolitik at work - again
1.
Strategy - Exclude Austria, convince smaller GY states they are safer with a Germany than
without one
2.
Process
a.
Prussian-Danish War (1865)
b.
Austro-Prussian War (1866)
c.
Franco-Prussian War (1870) - The German Empire
What words or phrases in the text below reveal Bismarck as a practitioner of the politics of reality?
“We had to avoid wounding Austria too severely; we had to avoid leaving behind in her any unnecessary bitterness of
feeling or desire for revenge; we ought rather to reserve the possibility of becoming friends again with our adversary of
the moment, and in any case to regard the Austrian state as a piece on the European chessboard. If Austria were
severely injured, she would become the ally of France and of every other opponent of ours; she would even sacrifice
her anti-Russian interests for the sake of revenge on Prussia. . . .The acquisition of provinces like Austria Silesia and
portions of Bohemia could not strengthen the Prussian state; it would not lead to an amalgamation of German Austria
with Prussia, and Vienna could not be governed from Berlin as a mere dependency. . . .Austria's conflict and rivalry
with us was no more culpable than ours with her; our task was the establishment or foundation of German national
unity under the leadership of the King of Prussia.”
Otto von Bismarck: 1866
III.
Germany after unification
A.
Dominant institution is still the Army
1.
gradual expansion of officer corps from Junkers to upper middle class
B.
Reichstag (lower house of Parliament) - elected by universal male suffrage
1.
not much power because it lacked ministerial responsibility
C.
Bismarck - Realpolik as ever - finally dismissed in 1890
1.
Domestic politics after 1870 required shifting alliances
2.
sides with liberals in a “Kulturkampf” attacking the Catholic Church
Why was Bismarck hostile to the Church in the 1870’s?
D.
E.
Persecution of socialists - especially the Social Democrats
1.
laws allow socialists to run but deny them assembly and speech
2.
fails to work - the number of Social Democrats elected grows steadily
(By WWI they will be the largest party in the Reichstag)
The Establishment of the Welfare State 1.
Old-Age pensions (like social security)
2.
Accident and disability insurance
3.
Why does Bismarck pursue the establishment of a welfare state in Germany? What is he
hoping to gain?