YEDITEPE MODEL UNITED NATIONS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2015
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YEDITEPE MODEL UNITED NATIONS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2015
LETTER FROM SECRETARY GENERAL
Prospective Participants of Yeditepe University Model United Nations 2015,
As the Secretary-General of the Conference, I would like to welcome you all once again. Past
few months were not easy for my academic team to provide you best quality of guides,
mastered each of elements in different topics. So to speak, it was a bitter work but the
results are worth it. Can you feel it? Closing in all around you, the most excided MUN event
of year has been awakened. At your arrival, I could only say that to my team would be ‘Look
now to your defenses, for the champions of MUN gather our gates.’
I have confidence in every participant to honor the tradition of Y-MUN and with most
enthusiasm will conduct the best of debates. After all, the aspiration lies in you, and you
alone. If you want to live through the top, your will must be unwavering.
I would like to thank my Deputy Secretary-General, Onuralp Acar for supporting me in my
darkest of times when preparing the conference. Yet, happiness and success can be found
even in those dark times, if one remembers to turn on to light. I would like to send my
gratitude to him for assisting me to prepare this Conference.
Every committee in Y-MUN 2015 has been designed to answer different type of levels and
participants. Each of their study guides have been written by the people who knows what
they are doing.
I would like to thank my Under-Secretary-General, Doğa Kaçar, for writing such an inspiring
and detailed guide that will show the true path to expansion on knowledge regarding the
topic of this committee. I hope this guide will be a constant reminder of the rewards of
perseverance and skill.
Çağdaş Başar Bahar
Secretary-General of Yeditepe University Model United Nations 2015
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YEDITEPE MODEL UNITED NATIONS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2015
Table of Content
1) Introduction of German History
2) French Revolution and Nationalism
3) Napoleonic Era and Its Effects on German Nationalism
4) Congress of Vienna 1814
5) Steps Toward Unification
a) Zollverein
b) 1848 Revolutions in “Germany”
c) North German Confederation
6) Prussia’s policies and military campaigns
a) Realpolitik
b) Second Schleswig War 1864
c) Austro-Prussian War 1866
d) Franco-Prussian War 1871
7) Parties involved in Unification
a) The Kingdom of Prussia
b) The Kingdom of Bavaria
c) The Kingdom of Saxony
d) The Kingdom of Württemberg
e) The Grand Duchy of Hesse
f) The Grand Duchy of Baden
g) The Free City of Hamburg
h) The Free City of Bremen
8) Timeline of Events
9) Bibliography
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YEDITEPE MODEL UNITED NATIONS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2015
Introduction of German History
Between 9th and 19th century,
German history was associated and also
integrated with Holy Roman Empire
(Wolfram, 1997 p.13). Frankish-Germanic
Emperor Charlemagne crowned as
Emperor by the Pope in 800 (Cantor, 1993
p.212-215). The significance of the title
was, none called as Emperor in Europe
more than three centuries before the
Charlemagne crowned. Later on, his
Holy Roman Empire in 1400
Empire divided by his heirs. Otto the First
(Grandson of Charlemagne) managed to
other words, the powers of the Emperors
extend his rule to the shores of
were limited because they were very
Mediterranean in the south and the Eider
dependent on the allegiance of duchies,
River in the North. He was the first Empire
princes, and several other noblemen. Even
who officially called as the “Holy Roman
the Emperor was crowned as sovereign
Emperor” (Chodorow, 1976 p.196). Even
ruler, in de facto, he was powerless
the title of Emperor sounds firm and
(Johnson, 1998). The Empire never
strong; Holy Roman Emperors were not
achieved to be unified like other powers in
the absolute monarchs, their power was
Europe such as but not limited to France
coming from consolidation with hundreds
due to this reason until its end. However,
of subunits like kingdoms, duchies,
the Holy Roman Empire was named as
principalities and free cities within the
First German Reich due to its geographic
German-speaking land (Johnson, 1998,
borders, German character which created
p.26). Noblemen of those subunits where
linguistic, historical and cultural bound
electing the Emperor but that did not make
within the fragments of the Empire. Last
the Holy Roman Empire to an entity.
Emperor Francis the Second dissolved the
Negotiations, compromises and that kind
Empire after his defeat to Napoleon in
of diplomatic skills of the noblemen were
Battle of Austerlitz in 1806.
always important. Their decisions were
determining the next Emperor. In
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YEDITEPE MODEL UNITED NATIONS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2015
French Revolution and Nationalism
French Revolution, refers a period
political and social forces in history.
of extensive social and political change in
Because it has an ability to focus every
France, between 1789-1799 (Fehêr, 1990,
men and women within the entity called
p.126). This movement can also be
“nation” into a single purpose. It changed
considered a middle-class revolt against
the existing army, economic and social
nobility and clergy. Its importance
systems of the 18th century Europe
regarding unification process of Germany
entirely. Vast standing armies that
is, it created the idea of “Nationalism”.
consisted of every available man within the
Nationalism is basically a group feeling
nation has emerged instead of the
that seeks unity and independence of
mercenary system of middle ages.
people who shares same geography,
Economic systems also began to shape
culture, language and history. In other
around national interests, and that common
words, Nationalism is the glue that keeps
goal of the society became a fuel of
society intact based on their common traits
production that later on would lead to
(Despina, 2005, p.222- 255). The idea of
Industrial Revolution. In other words, the
Nationalism has inspired a series of
Revolution in France changed the existing
revolutions and events in the 19th century
European order and no other “nation” in
including the Unification of Germany.
Europe could be able to remain neglected
Since the French Revolution, Nationalism
to the change.
has become one of the most significant
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YEDITEPE MODEL UNITED NATIONS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2015
Napoleonic Era and Its Effects on
German Nationalism
French Revolution was an internal
control of German States and keep them in
matter until General Napoleon took control
his orbit, but the citizens of German States
of France and declared himself as the
who once under his control was no longer
Emperor of France in 18th of May 1804.
loyal to him (Dwyer, 2001, p. 432). He
After that, he decided to export revolution
was confronted by Coalition of Prussia,
to other parts of Europe and started a
Saxony, Austria and Wurttemberg and
period of Napoleonic Wars or French
Sweden in Battle of Second Leipzig or also
Revolutionary Wars (Roberts, 2014).
called as Battle of Nations. Napoleon had
Napoleon conquered most of the Europe
crushed by Coalition Forces, and that has
during this period with his massive armies.
ended his tyranny over Europe and started
He’s sphere of influence were covering
the Restoration Period, which allowed to
German speaking lands too, and German
grow of newly blossomed German
vassals of Napoleon had influenced by the
Nationalism.
idea of Nationalism. Under the rule of the
Battle of Leipzig
French Empire (1804–1814), German
nationalism rose in the reorganized
German states. Under the influence of the
ideas that emerged in French Revolution
and also French dominance in German
territories, various justifications emerged
to identify "Germany" as a single state
(Sheehan, 1989, p.434). French presence in
German lands became disturbing for the
small German States and getting rid of the
French hegemony became their common
purpose in time (Sheehan, 1989). After
Napoleon’s failure in Invasion of Russia
(1812) the German States began to regain
de facto control over their territory and
remove French rule over it. Napoleon
gathered an invasion force in order to gain
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YEDITEPE MODEL UNITED NATIONS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2015
Congress of Vienna 1814
Congress of Vienna gathered for
restoring balance in Europe after
Napoleonic Wars in September 1814
(Schroeder, 1992, 683). The importance
of the Congress for future of Germany is
Prussia’s territorial expansion. Addition to
territorial gains, Prussia recognized as one
Zollverein is not the first attempt to adopt
single customs and
Congress of Vienna
of the five main continental power along
with Austria, United Kingdom, France and
toll management system in German lands.
Russia (Klaus, 2009, p.66). After the
It was a product of long process of
Congress, Austria did not remain as the
diplomatic labor led by Prussia. In May
“strongest” German state in the political
1818, Prussia introduced internal customs
field. Recognition granted by the other
union throughout its state and
European states amplified the process of
Hohenzollern territories in southwestern
Unification.
Germany, later on small German duchies,
Steps Toward Unification
kingdoms and principalities joined this
union. In September 1824, with the Treaty
a) Zollverein
of Kassel, Prussia’s internal customs union
Zollverein or German Customs
transformed into German Central Union
Union was an economic coalition between
and it included both central and northern
the German States in order to create a
German states namely; Saxony, Hanover,
common trade and customs policies in
Hesse-Kassel, Saxe-Weimar, Saxe-
their territories in 1 January 1834 (Price,
Altenburg, Saxe-Coburg, Nassau,
1949). Austria was excluded from this
Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Frankfurt, Saxe-
union because of her own protective
Meiningen, Brunswick, Schwarzburg-
policies about her industry, besides that,
Sondershausen, Reuss-Greiz, Reuss-Gera,
Austrian Prime Minister Metternich was
Bremen, Oldenburg, and Hesse-Homburg
against sharing same customs management
(Woodward, 1962, p.1961) Road went to
system with other German states,
Zollverein is important to understand the
especially the Prussia (Price, 1949).
fact that German States were not isolated
from each other. With Zollverein,
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communication and transportation between
people expressed their desire to form up a
German States were considerably
modern nation-state.
improved and “German” identity became
visible within the society.
b) 1848 Revolutions in “Germany”
1848 Revolutions refers to a series of
political riots within all Europe against
restoration policies of conservative
European states. In accord of German
States, Revolutions manifested itself as
Pan-Germanism, in other words, German
people demanded unity for Germany
Frankfurt Parliament in Session
(Marx, Engels, 1977, n.p). German people
believed that the unity was the only way to
c) North German Confederation
North German Confederation was
achieve social and political progress, they
also demanded political rights, constitution
the first successful modern German nation-
and common parliament during the
state formed by twenty-two Northern
Revolution (Marx, Engels, 1977). As a
German States under the leadership of
result of people’s will, first federal German
Prussia after Prussian victory against
Parliament assembled in Frankfurt which
Austria in Seven Weeks’ War (Hajo, 1969,
was elected in 1 May 1848. Parliament
p.186). After the War, Prussia extend her
made sessions between 18-31 of May and
territories and annexed German States in
produced the Frankfurt Constitution which
the North of Mein River. That made
includes civil and liberal rights and basic
Prussian superiority unmatched. North
characteristics of national movement
German Confederation could be
(Mommsen, 2000, p.96). However, it
considered as a Proto-German Empire that
failed because the Frederic Wilhelm the
created most of its institutes and
Fourth of Prussia refused to be an Emperor
administrative system.
due to limitations of his power and large
extend of civil and political rights in the
Prussia’s Policies and Military
Campaigns
constitution. Frankfurt Parliament was an
important step towards unification process,
because it was the first time German
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a) Realpolitik
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As a term realpolitik means that
politics based on real material power (Bew,
2002, n.p) Prussian conservative statesman
and Minister President Otto von Bismarck
applied this philosophy in order to
facilitate German Unification. He acted to
preserve internal balance of German States
and extend it to entire continent of Europe.
He summarized his policy in his famous
speech made to the Prussian Budget
Committee on September 1862 namely
“Blood and Iron”. “Prussia must concentrate
and maintain its power for the favorable moment
which has already slipped by several times.
Prussia's boundaries according to the Vienna
Otto von Bismarck
treaties are not favorable to a healthy state life. The
great questions of the time will not be resolved by
speeches and majority decisions—that was the great
mistake of 1848 and 1849—but by iron and blood.”
(Bismarck, 1862). As can be seen in the
speech, he clarified that he would not
Austro-Prussian War was a military
conflict between German Confederation
led by Austria and Prussia and his allies
due to their claims over Schleswig. It also
named as Fraternal War due to power race
hesitate to use material power (blood and
iron) to clear the mistakes of the past.
between two German States. Prussia won
the war with decisive victory but the
important thing is Prussia’s Minister
B) Second Schleswig War
Second Schleswig War was a result
of conflict between Denmark and PrussiaAustria alliance for the control of HolsteinSchleswig in February 1864. In the end,
Denmark had to withdraw their claims on
Schleswig-Holstein Region. It was an
important step to clear non-German claims
President Bismarck did not demand any
additional territories from Austria in order
to not wound their pried and future
possibilities of alliance (Aronson, 1970,
p.58). This war also led to formation of
North German Federation under Prussia’s
leadership.
over German lands.
D) Franco-Prussian War 1870
C) Austro-Prussian War
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After the Queen Isabel’s
them to be neutral. Bavarian Army
resignation from Spanish throne,
surrendered after Austrian defeat in Battle
succession of the Spanish throne became a
of Königgrätz (3 July 1866) and most of
diplomatic problem between France and
their regions were annexed by Prussia.
Prussia. During the negotiations, the
Later on, when the French Emperor
French Minister of Foreign Affairs, had
Napoleon the Third started to speak about
insulted by Wilhelm of Prussia. French
“compensating” French loss in 1815 and
parliament demanded war for this insult
threatened the Palatinate region controlled
and French General Staff assured
by Bavaria, Bavaria joined the North
Napoleon the Third for victory. Now the
German Confederation led by Prussia.
future of German lands resides in your
C) Kingdom of Saxony
hands honorable representative!
Saxony was also joined the German
Parties involved in Unification
Confederation led by Austria against
Prussia, and made a remarkable
A) Kingdom of Prussia
In 1862, King Wilhelm of Prussia
contribution to Austrian Army. However,
they were utterly crushed by Prussian army
appointed Otto von Bismarck as a
in Battle of Königgrätz and a year later,
Chancellor and Minister President of
they joined the North German
Prussia in order to destroy liberal and
socialist movements and ensure Prussian
supremacy over other German States. All
efforts to unify German States were done
under the leadership of Prussia, however
Confederation. Importance of Saxony is;
they were not entirely politically dependent
on Prussia in their foreign affairs within
the North German Confederation. They
might be considered as the second best
the main problem was also the Prussia
candidate to throne of German “Reich”.
itself, because Prussia demands nearly
absolute power if they were going to unify
D) Kingdom of Württemberg
with other German States, otherwise King
Kingdom of Württemberg was
Wilhelm did not favor of unification with a
liberal constitution.
Napoleonic Wars, they even fight beside
Napoleon during the Battle of Leipzig.
B) Kingdom of Bavaria
They also fought against Prussian in
Kingdom of Bavaria sided with
Austria during the Fraternal War against
Prussia despite the Bismarck requested
under French-sphere control during the
Fraternal War and crushed by Prussia and
forced to join North German
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Confederation. Convincing Württemberg
States, Baden gave its full support to
for German Unification will be a
Prussia due to rising German Nationalism.
challenge.
G) Free City of Hamburg
E) Grand Duchy of Hesse
During Napoleonic Wars, Hamburg
Due to its territories in East and
was annexed by Emperor Napoleon.
West Bank of the Rhine, Hesse is very
Hamburg’s independence reinstated during
important in means of logistics, Hesse was
the Congress of Vienna in 1814 after
located on center of important railroads
Napoleon’s defeat. Throughout the
that connected most of the German cities.
German History, Hamburg always had a
That unique geographic position made
special statue. During 1848 revolutions,
them a target of French Army, so they need
Hamburg transformed into a democratic
a strong ally to defend them.
republic and made elections for Senate.
Hamburg joined both German
F) Grand Duchy of Baden
Confederation and North German
Baden was highly influenced by
Confederation but they always preserved
1848 Revolutions in means of hosting
their independence. Their participation to
radical German Nationalists. Heat of
the Unification was also depend on
German Nationalism began in 1847,
preservation of their status.
people of Baden demanded the
H) Free City of Bremen
transformation of regular army into
National Militia, progressive constitution
Bremen had a nearly same history
that would define German citizenship,
with Hamburg during the Napoleonic era,
national tax system and other institutions
and they also share same political desires
that required to be a modern nation-state
with Hamburg. That makes them natural
(Hugh, 1911). Between 1850-1866 Baden
allies in negotiation process. Bremen must
supported Austria and entered war against
protect their autonomous position in a
Prussia due to Schleswig Question.
possible “unification”.
However, Grand Duke Frederick the First
withdrew from War due to the request of
his cabinet before the decisive victory of
Prussia. Personally, Frederik were not in
favor of war too (Hugh, 2011). When
Napoleon the Third threatened the German
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Timeline of Events
disagreements about controlling
1815 Creation of the German
Confederation under the presidency
Schleswig-Holstein. Prussian army
of Austria. Prussia and Austria
took control over that territory and
were considered the two most
defeated the Austrian Empire,
powerful German states.(Sturmer,
However Bismarck had made sure
1997)
that Austria lost no land due to not
insult them.This event led the
1834 German Customs Union or
formation of Northern German
“Zollverein” founded and Austria
Federation. It contained all German
excluded from this organisation. It
states north of the Main River.
was an important step to removing
Effectively it was under control of
distance between German States in
Prussia. (Sturmer, 1997)
means of communication and
While the southern states
transportation (Williamson, 1998)
e.g. Baden, Bavaria remained
1848 An attempt to set up a unified
independent; The main problem
Germany failed because of King of
against the total unification was
Prussia refused unification.
France’s policiy regarding to
independent German states, the
1862 As a result of a political crisis in
emergence of a united Germany
Prussia over the length of military
under Prussia was a serious threat
service, Bismarck was appointed
to French supremacy in
Chancellor of Prussia. He was
Europe. Relations between Prussia
aiming to make Prussia as dominant
and France soon deteriorated over
power in German lands.
the vacant Spanish
throne.(Williamson, 1998)
1864 An Austrian-Prussian conquer
of Schleswig-Holstein led to the
1870 After a coup in Spain, Queen
end of Danish rule of these
provinces. Prussia gained support
of German nationalists after this act
Isabella was forced to resign. A
formal offer of the Spanish throne
was made to Leopold of
Hohenzollern- Sigmaringen, a
1866 Relations between Austria and
member of the Catholic branch of
Prussia detoriated due to
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the Prussian royal
Ambassador had been insulted by
family.(Williamson, 1998)
the Prussian king, the famous “Ems
Bismarck released a version of the
discussions to the press that gave
Telegram”. The French were
outraged by the telegram and two
days later, declared war on Prussia.
the impression that the French
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