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Blood and Iron: The Rise of German Nationalism

Explore the unification of Germany through the lens of intense nationalism under Otto Von Bismarck's leadership. Discover the wars, strategies, and political maneuvering that shaped German history in the 19th century.

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Blood and Iron: The Rise of German Nationalism

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  1. Topic 14- Nationalism and the Spread of Democracy Essential Question- What are the challenges of diversity?

  2. 14.1- The Unification of Germany

  3. Nationalism Intense pride in/devotion to one’s nation. Usually occurs between people who share a common history, language, and culture. • What is nationalism? • In Germany, nationalism is sparked by Napoleon’s invasions and by the Congress of Vienna

  4. Congress of Vienna • At the Congress of Vienna, Prince Clemens von Metternich of Austria argued against a unified Germany because it would have dismantled existing governments • Instead, a weak German Confederation was created, headed by Austria. Confederation- a political unit where individual states have more power than the overall government

  5. What do you notice about the German Confederation?

  6. Prussia vs. Austria-Hungary • Prussia and Austria dominated the German Confederation • Prussia had many advantages that allowed it to become a unified state: • Primarily German • Powerful army • More industrialized • Austria-Hungary, on the other hand, had a difficult time unifying: • Many different ethnicities • Lacked prosperity Ethnic Groups in Austria-Hungary

  7. Otto Von Bismarck • Otto Von Bismarck was the only one able to succeed in creating a unified Germany • Prussian diplomat in France and Russia, named Prime Minister of Prussia under King William (Wilhelm) I • Becomes Chancellor of a unified Germany in 1871

  8. Blood and Iron Realpolitik- realistic politics based on the needs of the state • Bismarck’s strategy to create a unified German people is one of “blood and iron” • Blood- military might/war • Iron- industry (to create military weapons) • Bismarck was also a master of Realpolitik, willing to do whatever was necessary to accomplish his goals • Ironically, Bismarck was not a German nationalist- he wanted to unify Germany to secure Prussian dominance

  9. Powerful Military • Bismarck’s first step was to create a powerful Prussian Army. • However, the Prussian legislature refused to provide him with funding for his army. Bismarck responded by simply taking money that had been collected for other purposes. The ends justify the means • The End- a well-trained and well-armed Prussian army • The Means- taking money set aside for other things to fund the army

  10. Bismarck’s Army • Over the next decade, Bismarck’s army fights three wars that result in German unity under a Prussian Ruler • The first battle is over the Danish provinces of Schleswig and Holstein • Bismarck formed an alliance with Austria to “liberate” the two heavily German provinces from Denmark • Prussia gets Schleswig, Austria gets Holstein

  11. War with Austria (1866) • Bismarck invents an excuse to attack Austria, and after 7 weeks of fighting the superior Prussian army wins • The weak Austrian-led German Confederation is dissolved and Bismarck establishes a Prussian dominated confederation in its place • But Bismarck is smart, and Austria remains independent....why?

  12. Franco-Prussian War (1870) • France was concerned with the Prussian win over Austria • Germans recalled the invasions of Napoleon Bonaparte, and Bismarck played up the image of the “French menace” to ignite German nationalism • Then Bismarck sparked war by tampering with the records of a meeting between Prussian King William I and a French Ambassador, making it look like William I had insulted the French. • France declares war, and loses to the Germans in a few short weeks The ends justify the means...

  13. German Empire • After France’s defeat, the Germans convince Prussia’s King William I to take the title of Kaiser (emperor). This begins the Second Reich (empire). • 1st Reich- Holy Roman Empire • 2nd Reich- Kaiser William I (Chancellor Bismarck) • 3rd Reich- Adolf Hitler

  14. Limited Reforms • Under Kaiser William I, Germany set up a 2-house Legislature: • The Bundesrat could veto the Reichstag’s votes at any time. Therefore, power really just stayed with the Kaiser and his Chancellor- Otto Von Bismarck • What’s wrong with this set up? Does it remind you of a similar situation in France?

  15. The Iron Chancellor • As Chancellor, Bismarck used the same realpolitik methods he used to achieve unification the ends justify the means • He worked to erase local loyalties and crushed all opposition to the new government, especially the Catholic Church and the Socialists • This earned him the nickname “The Iron Chancellor”

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