Chapter 22 Notes Part 2
TODAY
German Unification - The Second Reich! (first was from around 800 CE to 1871)
Learning Targets
1. What steps did Germany take toward unification?
2. What was Bismarck’s plan for Germany and how did he hope to achieve it?
3. How did wars lead to the unification of a German Empire?
4. In what ways did Germany grow and change after unification?
These notes already posted online
Let's back it up a bit...
Nurturing Nationalism and timeline
1815 - German Confederation Established
1848 - Frankfurt Assembly
1864 - Danish-Prussian War
1866 - Austro-Prussian War
1870 - Franco-Prussian War
1871 - German Empire Created
Napoleon nurtured nationalism by uniting German states into confederation
1815, after Napoleon’s defeat, Congress of Vienna retained organization, renamed it German
Confederation
39 separate states with common language, culture poised for movement to unite
Revolution
1848, revolution swept through Europe
German liberals also took opportunity to revolt
Differed over whether to support constitutional monarchy or republic
Agreed that German unity would promote individual rights, liberal reforms
Unkept Promises
Facing calls for increased democracy, Prussian king Frederick William IV promised
constitution, other reforms
End of 1848, went back on promises; constitution never written
Banned publications, organizations that supported democracy
Economic, Cultural Unity
1834, Zollverein, customs union, created; removed tariffs on products traded between German
states
Inspired businesspeople to support unification; encouraged growth of railroads connecting
German states; joined Germans economically
German economy growing; sense of German culture growing as well
The Age of Bismarck!!!!
His plan for Germany
Conservative poltician
Became prominent in Prussain politics
1847, gave strongly conservative speech at National Assembly
1862, new Prussain King William I (1861-1888)chooses Bismarck
as his Prime minister
Bismarck's Philosophy
Not liberal like revolutionaires in 1848
Supports Monarchy or King system of government
Believed Prussia destined to lead German people to unification
Practiced "Realpolitik", policies based upon interests of Prussia (Similar to Politique!) Power
rather than ideals.......Machiavelli?
Blood and Iron
Politics of reality evident in push to increase Prussian military power
Speech to Parliament: German unity not won by speeches or majority vote, but by "blood and
iron"
Built Prussian military into great war machine
His First War
Disagreement over two border states—Schleswig, Holstein— gave Bismarck opportunity to
begin war with Denmark
1864, formed military alliance with Austria against Denmark
Believed both Schleswig, Holstein should be controlled by German Confederation
Results
Denmark loses badly, gives territory to Austria and Denmark
Prussian controlled Schleswig and Austria Holstein
Austria now holds territory inside Prussia
Bismarck knew to unite Germany, war with Austria inevitable
Unification and Empire
He needed Austria out of the way
Preparations
Bismarck worked "back channels"
Promised Venetia to Italy in exchange for support
Persuaded Napoleon III to keep France neutral
Provocation
Sent Prussian troops into Holstein
Austria declares war
Prussian support the war effort
Nationalism
King William I blames Austria, people buy into the strength of the German state
Austro-Prussian War
7 weeks to destroy Austria...........easy......and Austria gives up Holstein
Many north German states unite with Prussia (see the writing on the wall?)
Only three southern states remain outside Prussian control - need to push another state to
concede this (France on the table as possible country to take on)
Franco Prussian War
1870 - conflict over disputed Alsace and Lorraine territory on the German/French border, had
been part of Holy Roman Empire, which included Prussia
Nationalism again used to help push more support in the south
These southern states support war with France
By 1871, France defeated, peace treaty declared Germany unified
Creating German Empire
Victory established unified empire
Representatives meet in Versailles
Proclaimed Wilhelm I first kaiser or emperor of German empire
Wilhelm appointed Bismarck first chancellor
German victory changed balance of power in Europe
Napoleon III gone, France no longer as powerful
As Germany economy grows, so does their power and influence
German Empire grows and changes
A new government
Germany's 25 separate states wanted to retain power
Federalist system instituted, political parties developed
Bismarck strong opponent of Catholic Church
Government should control aspects of culture, like education, not the Church
Worked to restrict Catholic influence in Germany (Kulturkampf), appeases the
LIBERALS in Germany!!!!!
Economic Growth
Railroads
After unification, Germany experienced time of economic growth
France had paid reparations, Germany uses money to build railroads to link German states
Industrial Growth
Other funds help build German businesses
New empire began to catch up with England and France
Coal mines, steel factories flourished in Germany's major cities
Path to Social Reforms
Industrialization had its critics....similar to England
Socialists protested working conditions, wanted state to control all of the industries
Legislation - Bismarck tries to destroy socialism without destroying socialism
Blamed socialists for two assassination attempts on the Emperor
Sought to reduce appeal of socialism by enacting own reforms
1880s - pushed through legislation providing benefits for:
Health
Accidents
Old Age
Disability
After Unification
Bismarck was NOT internationalist....didn't see the need to increase size of Prussia
Did think France was a threat though
Alliances created with Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Russia
Eventually Bismarck forced out by Kaiser William II