1 / 12

German Nationalism and Unification

German Nationalism and Unification. German Unification. Last major European power to unify By the 19 th century (1800s)  39 independent states – largest = Prussia Smaller states feared domination by Prussia Austrian Empire dominated Germanic states

gordy
Download Presentation

German Nationalism and Unification

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. German Nationalism and Unification

  2. German Unification Last major European power to unify By the 19th century (1800s)  39 independent states – largest = Prussia Smaller states feared domination by Prussia Austrian Empire dominated Germanic states Austria feared economic competition of a unified Germany Prussia leads to movement for unification

  3. German Unification

  4. Steps Toward Unity 1834 =Zollverein (literally means “Customs Association” created economic union between the German states; reduced trade barriers This strengthened Prussia’s power

  5. Leader of German Unification Otto von Bismarck = Premierminister) = prime minister of Prussia Wanted strong government & army  unification would come through “Blut und Eisen” (Blood & Iron speech) Embraced Realpolitik= right of a country to pursue its own advantages by any means, including war

  6. RealPolitiks • Realistic Politics based on the needs of the state • Whatever actions necessary to achieve his desired goals. • Power more important than principles • “Blood and Iron” Philosophy • He wanted to eliminate Austrian influence and bring about unification on Prussian terms. • Expand Germany’s Economy and Industrial base with use of its resources. • Do not make the same mistakes that were made by the French in 1848-1849.

  7. War Against Denmark • Denmark ruled Schleswig and Holstein = large German populations there • Bismarck formed a temporary alliance with Austria • They won • Prussia got Schleswig • Austria got Holstein • War showed Prussia’s military might • Increased tension between Prussia and Austria

  8. Austro-Prussian War (7 Weeks’ War) • Bismarck formed alliances with Russia, France, and Italy • Prevented them from forming alliances with Austria • Bismarck declared war on Austria • He won • Austria gave Holstein to Prussia • Austria gave Venetia to Italy

  9. Franco-Prussian War • France = a threat to a united Germany • France demanded some territory from Prussia as compensation for their alliance in the last war • Bismarck declared war on France • He won • Prussia gained the French territory of Alsace-Lorraine = major industrial site (major significance for the future….)

  10. Alsace-Lorraine

  11. Unified Germany Unified in 1871 1stKaiser (emperor) = Wilhelm I Bismarck = Reichskanzler (Imperial chancellor)

More Related