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GERMAN UNIFICATION

GERMAN UNIFICATION. Last to achieve unification in Europe in 1815 was a group of 39 independent states In 1815 a German Confederation was formed at the Congress of Vienna (why?). Buffer state against French expansion Had an assembly (diet) in Frankfurt

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GERMAN UNIFICATION

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  1. GERMAN UNIFICATION

  2. Last to achieve unification in Europe • in 1815 was a group of 39 independent states • In 1815 a German Confederation was formed at the Congress of Vienna (why?)

  3. Buffer state against French expansion • Had an assembly (diet) in Frankfurt • Confederation was dominated by Austria • Austria was in direct conflict with Prussia

  4. -Prussia was a German state with the most dominant economy, so other states feared them • -Prussia doesn’t want a unified Germany and neither does Austria (why?) • Smaller German states want to see a united Germany • -fear Austria and Prussia • -Unity brings them strength

  5. -economic conditions prevented the Germans from uniting until: • The Junkers (yun-kers)- members of the rising business class, demanded a share of political power • Prussian Junkers created the ZOLLVEREIN- an economic union founded in 1834 that reduces trade barriers between the German states • (modern day example?)

  6. 2) Standardized units and measures 3) The economic union caused Prussia to win political dominance over Austria -Prussia is now leader of Germans much like Sardinia was with Italy

  7. The Rise of Bismarck -In 1861 William I (right) becomes king of Prussia (succeeding Frederick William II) -opposes liberal ideas -Supports the military and works to expand the army -seeks to take Germany by military force -Liberal Germans, however, see no need for a strong military and want a democratic Germany -As a result, liberal deputies in the Prussian assembly overwhelmingly defeat new taxes to support army

  8. -frustrated with the Prussian assembly’s actions, William I appoints a new prime minister who supports his views on the military: • OTTO VON BISMARCK (left) • -a Junker • -served in the Prussian assembly • -Ambassador to Russia and France • A brilliant negotiator/politician • A supporter of REALPOLITIK (the right of the nation-state to pursue its own advantages by any means, including war and the repudiation of treaties

  9. -in September of 1862 Bismarck defied the finance committee when the Prussian Assembly refused to collect taxes for the army- Bismarck collects the taxes without authorization -BLOOD and IRON “Germany does not look to Prussia’s liberalism, but to her power….The great questions of the day are not to be decided by speeches and majority resolutions-that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849-but by blood and Iron” -Otto Von Bismarck 1862

  10. Bismarck had 3 major goals • Raise $$ for army expansion • Reduce Austria’s influence among the German states • Unify Germany w/o Austria or Switzerland, but keep them under Prussian domination • -Went to war three different times to accomplish these goals

  11. War with Denmark • By inheritance, king of Denmark ruled the territories of Schleswig and Holstein • Schleswig had a German and Danish population; Holstein was entirely German -in 1863 King Christian IX claims Schleswig a Danish providence and Germans in both territories appeal to the German states for support -to prevent Danish annexation, Bismarck persuades Austria to go in/w Prussia in declaring war against Denmark in 1864 -Prussia/Austria win and divide territories (leading to future strife) -Prussia gets control of Schleswig -Austria gets control of Holstein

  12. The Seven Weeks’ War -Between Austria and Prussia over the Schleswig and Holstein territories -Bismarck prepares for war by stripping Austria of its potential allies • Gives aid to Russia to help against Polish rebels in 1863 • Promises France compensation for its neutrality • Supports Italy in its claim to the Austrian territory of Venetia • -Gains public support for his actions when Austria sided with the Duke of Augestenburg, who claimed tithe to Schleswig and Holstein • -To prevent this alliance Bismarck orders troops into Holstein

  13. -In response to this, Austria asks German Confederation to take military action against Prussia for their invasion and Bismarck declares war with Austria • -War begins June 15, 1866 and, 7 weeks later, is over- - Prussia wins • Purpose of the war was to separate Austria from Germany • Prussians win so quickly because of the breach loading rifle (invented in 1841 by Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse) they had which enabled them to lie down and reload • Austrians still used Muzzle loaders (so they had to stand up to reload)

  14. Treaty of Prauge -Ends Seven Weeks’ War -Bismarck goes easy on Austria (why?) -Treaty made Bismarck a hero amongst the German Nationalists What it did: • Dissolved German Confederation • Gave Holstein to Prussia • Created a new organization of Germany w/o Austria (called the North German Confederation

  15. The North German Confederation -Established in 1867 -Each state could manage their own affairs -Foreign policy and defense was put in the hands of the Prussians -Legislative authority-Federal Council of Representatives-elected by universal male suffrage

  16. The Franco-Prussian War -Southern German states remained outside of the confederation -Napoleon III doesn’t want a unified Germany unless France receives territory (for neutrality in 7 weeks’ war) -Bismarck wants to go to war with France, but has to lure them into it for public sentiment reasons -in 1868 a revolution in Spain overthrew their queen and Prince Leopold (a cousin of William I) was offered the throne -France fears a Spanish/Prussian alliance, so demands promise from William that the Spanish throne will never be occupied by someone with Prussian ties

  17. -William I is vacationing and meets with the French ambassador, to which he refuses the offer -William writes a telegram to Bismarck detailing the meeting with French ambassador -Bismarck alters the telegram to make it seem as if William I was insulting the French and leaks it to the press -French take exception to the insult and Napoleon III declares war on Prussia -Fighting begins on July 19, 1870 -Southern Germany allies with Prussia -Prussia wins within a few weeks

  18. Bismarck and the Church • -Kulturkampf (culture war between church and state) • Catholics organized politically to counter prominent Protestants • Bismarck said Catholics were “Anti-Nation” • 1870 Rome- Papal Infallibility-doctrine in which the pope, when speaking on matters of faith and morals, is free from error

  19. -Bismarck says the Jesuits were working to destroy the empire • -expels Jesuits in 1872 • -Passed many laws to destroy the Catholic influence in Germany • (Catholic bishops lost power, Catholic weddings not valid unless performed by a Protestant or secular official) • Pope Pius IX declared laws invalid and broke diplomatic ties with Germany • Bismarck’s repressive measures strengthened the Catholic cause

  20. -1877 The Center Party (Catholic Party) gained more seats -The Junkers (conservatives) begin to oppose Bismarck -Socialism on the rise in Germany, Bismarck needs to make peace with the Catholics -1878 Pope Pius IX dies and new pope makes peace with Germany -1881-Most of laws repealed (Kulturkampf over)

  21. Socialism in Germany • Poor wages and long days make socialism attractive to Germans • Ferdinand LaSalle-1863 founds Universal German Workingman’s Association • he was a disciple of Marx • Differed in that he didn’t teach revolution • Lectured on the plight of workers • 1864 killed in a duel • 1875 his workers party grew into the Social Democratic Party-a major political force

  22. Bismarck and Socialism -Socialism was a threat to the empire -1878 Bismarck banned all Socialist gatherings and publications -Changes policies to show that Gov’t has the answers, not socialism, by passing several laws -sickness insurance law- compensation for missing work -1889-Old Age Insurance Law- retirement -Socialism party still popular- Win 35 seats in 1890 elections - Anti-socialist laws are removed

  23. The Fall of Bismarck • In 1888 William I dies, eventually having William II take over • William II is 29, Conservative, Favored militarism, and the absolute authority of the Emperor • Leads to conflict with Bismarck • Bismarck liked to get his way through threatening to resign with William I • In 1890 he offered his resignation as a bluff and the Kaiser accepted it

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