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German Unification

German Unification. Chapter 23 Hohenzollern Dynasty. German Unification. Single most important political development in Europe between 1848-1914 Desired for liberals achieved for illiberal reasons Balance of power transformed Economically Militarily Internationally.

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German Unification

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  1. German Unification Chapter 23 Hohenzollern Dynasty

  2. German Unification • Single most important political development in Europe between 1848-1914 • Desired for liberalsachieved for illiberal reasons • Balance of power transformed • Economically • Militarily • Internationally

  3. German Unification • Transformations determined character of new German state • United by • Conservative army • Monarchy • Prime Minister (Prussia) • Motive: outflank Prussian liberals

  4. Background… • 1850s—Zollverein & railroads • Previous attempts to unify • Prussia— Frederick William IV—unify under Prussian leadership? • Austria—opposedmight lessen influence • Liberals defeated 1848/49

  5. What changed? • Prussia: domestic political changes & problems • Fredrick William IV—insane • William I (Wilhelm I)—Prussian patriot • #1 goal: strengthen ARMY • Prussian parliament refused taxes • Liberals within  block monarchy • 2-year deadlock

  6. Otto von Bismarck • Junker • Burchenschaft • Interest in unification • 1840s provincial diet • Reactionary • 1851-1859—Prussian minister to Frankfurt Diet (German Confederation) • Ambassador to Russia & France • 1862—William I appointed as Prime Minister of Prussia

  7. Bismarck • Mellowed into conservative • Opposed parliamentary government • Approved constitutionalism w/strong monarchy • Strong industrial base • Prussian patriot • Pragmatist—more trust in power & action • Iron & Blood speech • 3 wars preserve peace • “Laws are like sausages. It’s better not to see them being made.”

  8. Germany does not look to Prussia's liberalism, but to her power. The South German States would like to indulge in liberalism, and therefore no one will assign Prussia's role to them! Prussia must collect her forces and hold them in reserve for a favorable moment. Since the treaties of Vienna, our frontiers have been ill-designed for a healthy national state. The great questions of the time will be decided, not by speeches and resolution of majorities, but by blood and iron.” • September 29, 1862

  9. Prime Minister Bismarck • Moved against liberal parliament • wo/ new taxes—Constitution allows govt to carry on w/ previously granted taxes • taxes could be collected & spent wo/ parliamentary approval • Machiavellian principles • Use system to change system

  10. Big Question: • How to attract popular support away from liberals toward monarchy & army? • Use Prussian conservative principles to unite Germany • Kleindeutsch approach (no AUSTRIA) • Complex diplomacy~~

  11. Schleswig-Holstein • Belongs to Denmark (sort of) • Germans & Danes • Holstein  German Confederation • 1863—Denmark attempt annexation • German Confederation—smaller states propose WAR • Bismarck—Prussia & Austria v Denmark 1864 • Easy victory—WHY?

  12. Bismarck • PRESTIGE ↑ • Aug 1865 Austria & Prussia • Convention of Gastein • Austria  Holstein • Prussia Schleswig • Next step: Maneuver Austria into war vs. Prussia

  13. Other nations…. • Russia—Prussia gain sympathy by supporting Russian suppression of Polish revolt • France—Nap III promised neutrality to both Austria & Prussia • Italy—would get Venetia if it attack Austria in support of Prussia • HOW TO PROVOKE WAR???

  14. Pick a fight…. • Constant tension—Schleswig-Holstein • Prussians: be “obnoxious” to Austrians anywhere & anytime • Austria appealed to German Confederation end dispute • Austria violated terms of 1864 Alliance & Convention of Gastein

  15. Austro-Prussian War 1866 • 7-weeks war  Austria defeated at Battle of Königgrätz in Bohemia • Treaty of Prague  • August 23, 1866 • Austria lost Venetia  to Nap III  to Italy

  16. Ultimate consequences? • Hapsburgs permanently excluded from German affairs • Prussia—only MAJOR power among German states • North-German Confederation • Hanover • Hesse () • Nassau • Frankfurt } Supported Austria (losers) Annexed by Prussia Rulers deposed

  17. DEUTSCHLAND ÜBER ALLES • President – King of Prussia • Represented by Chancellor Bismarck • 2-house legislature • Upper—Bundesrat—federal council—appointed by state’s governments • Lower—Reichstag—elected universal male suffrage (conservative) • Responsible only to monarch • Can’t originate legislation

  18. Government… • All laws proposed by Chancellor • Legislature had right to approve military budgets • Constitution – gives appearance of liberalism • 1871– German Empire—military monarchy • Nationalism more attractive than liberalism • Army & monarchy– most popular institutions

  19. Southern States? • Machiavelli  • Spain—military coup deposed Isabella II • Leopold (Hohenzollern cousin) • France—react strongly—WHY? • Series of meetings—Leopold’s dad recalled son (pulled off Spanish throne) • France—Can William I guarantee no future Spanish thrones for Leopold? • William I “I’ll take it under advisement.”

  20. Manipulation Communications back/forth France/Prussia (Bismarck wanted/needed war with France) Telegram—creative “editing” “William I insulted France.” France declared war July 19, 1870  Renewed popular support – “no one kicks our dog” Southern States join Prussia v. France

  21. Franco-Prussian War 1870 • Battle of Sedan • Germans defeated French army • Germans captured Napoleon III • January 1871 – German Empire proclaimed @ Versailles • Southern Germans joined Northern German Confederation • Requested William I as Emperor • Gained Alsace & Lorraine (French territories)

  22. Germany • New powerful state in Central Europe • Natural resources • Talented citizens • German Empire stronger than Prussia • CONSERVATIVE • Backed other CONSERVATIVE powers

  23. Licking their wounds… 2 nations most affected? France & Austria Public demonstration of weakness

  24. Never underestimate the power of one truly determined person…. “I want to play the tune the way it sounds to me or not at all…my pride bids me command rather than obey.” Otto von Bismarck

  25. Portents of future events?? • “A generation that has taken a beating is always followed by a generation that deals one.” • Bismarck on France • “Some [darned] foolish thing in the Balkans.” • Bismarck’s prediction on what would provoke the next war

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