Nationalism
The Unification of Germany
and Italy
Make a timeline with
these dates:
1858
1860
1861
1864
1866
1870
What is Nationalism?
Write this on the bottom or back of
your timeline
Love of a nation, its heritage, and
its people; not necessarily its ruler

Belief in Common Bonds such as:
Ethnic ancestry
 Language
 Culture
 History
 Religion
 Territory

Germany
In the 1800’s
Germany was a
region but not a
nation



39 states,
dominated by
Austria and Prussia
Austria’s
population was
ethnically diverse
Prussia’s
population was
German
1861 Prussia begins
Unification
Wilhelm I takes the
throne

Wilhelm I
Otto von Bismarck, Prime
Minister
Realpolitik, “politics of
reality”
 rules without parliament or
legal budget

Otto von
Bismarck
Doubles Army
1864
Prussia allies with
Austria
Attacks Denmark,
gains territory
Divides land
between Austria
and Prussia
To Prussia
To Austria
Otto von
Bismarck
1866
After becoming allies,
Prussia provokes war with
Austria
“Seven Weeks’ war” won
by Prussia
Prussia controls all of
Northern Germany
1870-1
Prussia forces a
“national” war
against France Napoleon III
All of Germany
follows Prussia
 France is soundly
defeated
 New name:
German Empire
with Kaiser
(Emperor)
Wilhelm I as its
leader

1860
1871
Results
France hands over the
border valley of AlsaceLorraine
Balance of Power in
Europe is destroyed in
favor of Prussia
A Strong German nation
that could threaten
Russia or France
Italy
Once the center of
Roman Empire
Since then divided into
small states, ruled by
princes (called
principalities)
By 1800’s real power
in Europe was Austria

But Italy possessed all
requirements of a
strong nation and
nationalism
Old Roman Empire
Unification
Camillo
di
Cavour
1858
Sardinia, strongest
of the Italian States

Constitutional
Monarchy
Wants unity for
personal power
Allies with France
against Austria
Gains lands in the
North
Victor
Emmanuel
1860—Giuseppe Garibaldi
“Red Shirts”, loyal
1,000 volunteers
Nationalists
 Captures Sicily and
marches north towards
Rome

What is
his pic
doing
here?
Met by King of Sardinia
and his army
 agrees to give Southern
Italy to King

The Final Pieces
1866
Austria losses war with
Prussia
With Austria distracted
Italy attacks gains Venice
1870
France loses war with
Prussia
Italy captures Rome,
unites all of Italy (Vatican
City is given to Pope)
Results
Italy is ruled by
constitutional king
Divided by regions,
industrial north vs.
agricultural south
Internal problems:
politics, strikes,
peasant revolts
United but a WEAK
nation
1871
1860
Germany
Leaders—
William I, Otto
von Bismarck
Franco- Prussian
War
Seven Weeks’
War
Resulting
government:
German
empire
Austria left out
of the
confederation
Resistance by
liberals
Both
Leaders—
aristocrats
Many separate
states united by
spirit of
nationalism
One state led
unification
At start, some
territories and
states held by
foreign powers
Italy
Leaders—
Cavour,
Garibaldi,
Victor Emanuel
II
War with Austria
Resulting
government:
United
Kingdom
Treaty left Pope
in control of
Vatican City
Cultural divisions
remain between
industrial north
and agricultural
south
Make sure your timeline has these
dates listed on it:
185818601861186418661870-
Italy wants land to unite, allies with
Prussia
Nationalists rise up in Italy
Prussia unites
Prussia allies with Austria
Prussia starts war with Austria
Prussia starts war with France
German Empire begins
Italy captures Rome and unites all of
Italy