History
S5
AOlutionSIMILARITIES BETWEEN CAVOUR AND
BISMARCK
Developed by (Maxon J.
Kasumba)
50 minutes
Subtopic
•
Lesson 43
Students working in groups
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN
CAVOUR AND BISMARCK
Overview/general summary
During the mid-19th century, Europe experienced two notable leaders, Count
Camillo Benso di Cavour and Otto von Bismarck.
A brilliant statesman, Cavour was a dominant figure in the Sardinian
government from 1850 until his death in 1861.
Specific Objectives
• Explain the similarities
between Cavour and
Bismarck
A master of politics, Bismarck was the chief minister of Prussia and the first
chancellor to the Germany confederation. Bismarck achieved his tremendous
goals of power for himself, the consolidation of the German empire, and the
resurgence of Prussia as a great power by devising his moves carefully and
ending his battles as soon as he got what he wanted, and although they both
used wars, deception, and ingenuity to prosper, Cavour only achieved his
limited goal of amalgamating Italy.
Lesson Objectives
• Learners should be able
to identify and explain
the similarities between
Cavour and Bismarck
Otto Von Bismarck, in addition, was a man of power! He worked for the King
of Prussia. He united all of Germany under one rule, the rule of the King of
Prussia, who then after the unification became known as Kaiser of Germany.
On a similar note, Camillo Benso, conte di Cavour worked for the king of
Piedmont-Sardinia. He was the prime minister. He with the help of the king's
troops, the French king and some other Italian nationalists, unified almost all
of Italy, his successor finished his job. They were both great men, in their
own way. Nationalism was in their blood.
Linked to other lessons
This lesson is linked to the:
•
THE UNIFICATION OF ITALY 1850-1870
Evaluation
At the end of the lesson learners shall be able to:
•
Identify and explain the similarities between Cavour and
Bismarck.
Last updated:
April 2010
Terminology
Conte Camillo Cavour
Otto Von Bismarck
He was minister president in Italy and was the architect and champion of the Italian
unification.
He was also minister president during the unification of Germany. His policy of blood
and iron won for Germany states, the independence and union of Germany.
Step1
Introduction
Duration: 10 minutes
The teacher introduces the lesson by asking the learners to mention the differences between Germany
and Italian unifications. This is intended to draw the attention of the learners to what they learnt
previously before the teacher introduces a new lesson.
After the recap of the previous lesson, the teacher introduces the new lesson (The similarities between
Cavour of Italian unification and Bismarck of Germany unifications) which he briefly talks about in the
Overview.
The teacher goes ahead and put the learners in different learning groups, after which, the learners
exchange ideas about their previous research work (Examine the similarities between Cavour of Italy and
Bismarck of Germany), which the learners proceed to present afterwards.
How to achieve this learning
Let the learners get in groups of 5.
Let each group discuss the similarities between Cavour and Bismarck of both Italian and
Germany unifications respectively. This should be based on their previous research work.
Thereafter, each group identifies a learner to make a brief presentation of their discussion.
How to conduct the lesson
Step 2
Activity 1:
The similarities between Cavour and Bismarck
Duration: 20 minutes
Resources needed : Chalk, duster, notes, note-books and pens
Class organization : Groups of 5 - Group presentation and discussion (from students)
Instruction to the learners: Let the learners discuss the similarities between Cavour and Bismarck
Method of Evaluation:
Evaluate the learners basing on the correct similarities between Otto Von Bismarck and Count Camillo
Cavour who championed the Germany and Italian unifications respectively. For correct answers, refer
to the points mentioned below in the notes.
NOTE: During this period of time, the learners may also ask any related questions to the teacher
Last updated:
April 2010
Step 3
Activity 2:
Teacher gives notes to learners
Duration: 20 minutes
Resources needed: notes about the similarities between Cavour and Bismarck
Class organization: normal class session
Instruction to the learners: the learners should take notes as given by the teacher
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN CAVOUR OF ITALY AND BISMARCK OF GERMANY
They were both monarchists, who worked for a king, and wanted things to stay that way. And both believed in real
politics, the way of politics where the diplomacy and ruling was based primarily on practical considerations, rather
than ideological notions, and the good of the government went over the well-being of the people.
Both built a well trained and equipped army because they knew that economic and military power were the
foundations of an effective foreign policy.
Neither ministers wanted the French as a strong foreign power. And both were against Austria because honorable
arrangements could not be agreed upon. Defending their state, Bismarck and Cavour succeeded in the unification of
their "country"
Both were very patient men. Victor Emmanuel felt little sympathy for Cavour; "the pestiferous little man" as he called
him and Guillaume did not like Bismarck at all. He thought he was unpleasant and worrying. So both men were very
patient since they were submitted to the will of their Kings.
Bismarck and Cavour were both eloquent and clever. Bismarck was not a German nationalist, he was a man of
Prussian state and despite the wars, and he always wished to conduct peaceful politics and government as Cavour.
Like Cavour, Bismarck looked for order, and set up important economic measures like social assurances. Intentions
for Italy were to form a confederation of states like the German Bund.
Bismarck nationalism can be compared to Cavour's nationalism. These two master planners could be considered as
expansionists as Cavour made it possible to enlarge Piedmont Sardinian Kingdom through a unification process; and
the same type of arrangements Bismarck made, taking direct military and diplomatic actions.
They were both very good diplomats and in a quest to unify their country. They disliked nationalists who asked for a
republic or communism. Bismarck tried to destroy all socialist groups but failed, although he did keep them hidden
enough. Whereas Cavour was forced to work with them, but in the end the nation still became what Cavour had
wanted it to become. A monarchy!
Cavour's goals, similar to Bismarck's, were realistic, but they were moderately limited. He entered the world of
politics a year after Bismarck, in 1848, and became a member of the Sardinian monarchy in 1852. Until 1859 he was
interested only in uniting the northern and central Italian states under the greatly expanded Sardinia, and worked in
the 1850's to make Sardinia a liberalized constitutional state capable of leading northern Italy. He realized that he
could not consolidate Italy under Victor Emmanuel without the help of a powerful ally, such as Napoleon III, so
Cavour worked for a secret diplomatic alliance with him.
Last updated:
April 2010
In 1858 Cavour prompted Austria into attacking Sardinia, and after the victory of the combined Franco-Sardinian
forces, Napoleon III abandoned Cavour. Napoleon made a compromise peace with the Austrians, which resulted in
Sardinia receiving only Lombardy and Cavour's resignation in a rage. Cavour returned to power in 1860, and the
central states of Italy agreed to join the greatly expanded Kingdom of Sardinia. Soon after, Cavour secretly supported
Guiseppe Garibaldi in his attempts to liberate the kingdom of the two Sicilies, but then Cavour sent his army to
occupy the Papal States except for Rome, and intercepted Garibaldi. Cavour immediately organized a referendum in
the conquered provinces, and the people of the south voted to join Sardinia. Cavour had succeeded in his goal to
amalgamate Italy.
In his efforts to secure power for himself and Prussia, Bismarck was exceptionally flexible and practical. As an
ambassador to the Germany confederation that was against Austria from 1851 to 1859, Bismarck worked towards a
basic goal that was well-known by 1862; to consolidate Prussia and regain its great power status. To do this he knew
he needed to control all the northern states of the German confederation. Bismarck joined Austria in a war against
Denmark, and after Denmark's defeat Bismarck moved Austria into a tricky position. Since both Prussia and Austria
shared the conquered provinces of Denmark, Austria was forced to accept Prussian domination in the northern states
or Prussia would start a war with Austria. Austria refused to give up its historical role in German affairs, so this
resulted in the Austro-Prussian war of 1866. After Austria's defeat the German confederation was dissolved, and was
replaced by the new Northern German confederation that was controlled by Prussia. Bismarck also wanted the
southern states to join the confederation, and he knew that a war with France would gain their whole hearted
support. Even before France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 the southern states had already agreed
to join Germany. After being the weakest of the great powers in 1862, Prussia had become the strongest in less than
a decade.
In the unification of both Italy and Prussia, war and deceit played a major role. Both Bismarck and Cavour tricked
Austria into starting war with them, so they would get what they wanted. France was used as a tool for consolidation,
for Cavour made Austria look like the enemy so that France would join in a war against them, and Bismarck lured
France into instigating war so he would gain the support of the southern German states. But unlike Cavour, Bismarck
did not need aid in the attainment of his goals, for he had parliament agreeing to his illegal affairs and allowing him to
have power, but Cavour needed the ally Napoleon III to help him unify Italy. Thus Bismarck and Cavour had similar
tactics and goals, but Bismarck did not need help in attaining them.
Cavour was instrumental in bringing about the proclamation of Victor Emmanuel and the proclamation of Italy as a
unified state. His diplomacy paved the way for Italy's unification. In his effort in German affairs, Bismarck did not
simply resort to "blood and iron". His moves were carefully prepared diplomatically and he ended wars as soon as his
immediate objectives had been obtained. He kept his options open, pursuing one goal after another as he moved
with skill and cunning towards them. It is for these reasons that Cavour is considered one of the most influential
statesmen of the nineteenth century, and Bismarck is believed to be the most important German historical figure
between Luther and Hitler.
Therefore, Cavour did not differ fundamentally from Bismarck.
Conclusion
In summary of this lesson make sure that the learners should be able to:
Explain the similarities in between Cavour and Bismarck.
Additional activity:
How different were Cavour and Bismarck in their unification approaches?
Homework
Last updated:
April 2010
Method of evaluation: Question
QUESTION:
1. Examine the similarities between Cavour and Bismarck.
References
1.
Denis, Richards (1789-1984) An Illustrated History of Modern Europe, PP139154
2. H.L, Peacock (1789-1981) A history of modern Europe , seventh edition –– PP 157-167
3. Stuart ,T, Miller Modern European history – second edition –– PP167-181
Last updated:
April 2010