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Unification of Germany: Bismarck's Realpolitik

Learn about the events that led to the unification of Germany during the early 1800s, including Otto von Bismarck's leadership and his policy of Realpolitik. Discover how Germany transformed from fragmented states to a unified nation under Prussian rule.

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Unification of Germany: Bismarck's Realpolitik

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  1. Bellringer • The King of Italy Victor Emmanuel II was: • a)absolute monarch • b)Regent • c)constitutional monarch • d)Italian Emperor

  2. Bellringer • The King of Italy Victor Emmanuel II was: • a)absolute monarch • b)Regent • c)constitutional monarch • d)Italian Emperor

  3. Unification of Germany

  4. Unification of Germany Today-Objectives • Identify several events that promoted German unity during the early 1800s. • Explain how Bismarck unified Germany. • Analyze the basic political organization of the new German empire.

  5. Terms and People • Otto von Bismarck – a leader from Prussia who succeeding in unifying German-speaking states under Prussian rule • chancellor – the highest official of a monarch • Realpolitik – realistic politics based on the needs of the state • annex– to take control of, usually referring to land

  6. kaiser– emperor Reich– German word meaning empire or nation Terms and People (continued)

  7. How did Otto von Bismarck, the chancellor of Prussia, lead the drive for German unity? German-speaking people lived in several small states in the early 1800s. This changed when Otto von Bismarck became chancellor in Prussia and decided to build a unified German state.

  8. He dissolvedthe Holy Roman Empire. • He organized several German states into the Rhine Confederation. • He madetradeeasier in the region. Napoleon’s invasions into German-speaking states produced changes in these territories. As German-speaking people fought together to free themselves from French rule, they began to consider creating a united German state.

  9. Creating a unified German state was difficult. • Unification would require dissolving the small governments of each German state. Instead, the Congress of Vienna created a weak alliancecalled the German Confederation, headed by Austria. • Prussia created an economic union in the 1830s called the Zollverein, but Germany remained fragmented politically. • In 1848, German liberals offered a throne to Prussian ruler Frederick Wilhelm IV, but he rejected a crown offered by the common people.

  10. Germany after the Congress of Vienna

  11. The situation changed when Otto von Bismarck rose to power in Prussia. • He became prime minister in 1862 and then rose tochancellor. • Bismarck was determined to unite Germany under Prussianrule. • Rather than diplomacy, he favored a policy of “blood and iron.”

  12. Realpolitik was an ideology that favored power over principle. • He then led Prussia intothreewars. • These actions all paved the way for German unification. Bismarck mastered Realpolitik and strengthened the Prussian army.

  13. Next, he attacked Austria and annexedseveral states. He dissolved the German Confederation and replaced it with one led by Prussia. Otto von Bismarck took methodical steps to increase Prussia’s power and territory. He formed an alliance with Austria, then seized provinces from Denmark.

  14. Austro-Prussian War • Prussian army defeated the Austrians in 7 weeks. The German Confederation was dissolved & forced Austria to surrender the state of Holstein

  15. The unification of Germany under Prussian rule occurred mainly between 1865 and 1871.

  16. The Franco-Prussian War broke out in 1870. Bismarck stoked tension between France and Prussia by editing a telegram to make it appear that King Wilhelm I of Prussia had insulted a French ambassador. After a furious Napoleon III declared war, Prussia and other German states easily defeated the Frenchwithin weeks.

  17. Leaders in many German states urged Wilhelm I of Prussia to take the title kaiser. (emperor) • German nationalists celebrated the beginning of the second Reich, the second German empire after the Holy Roman Empire. • Bismarck wrote a constitution andset up a two-house legislature. However, real power remained with the emperor and chancellor.

  18. Europe after 1871

  19. Steps to German Unification- page321 In the mid 1800s many Germans were driven by nationalistic feelings to support a unified Germany 1.The Revolution of 1848- Inspired by revolution in France and a desire for a unified Germany, Germans revolt against the Prussian king. 2. The Promise of Reforms- At first the Prussian king Fredrick Wilhelm IV agrees to bring about democratic reforms, but later breaks his promises 3. The Zollverein- Germans create an economicalliance between the German states, the Zollverein, which promotes trade and a strong economy. 4. German Unification- Otto von Bismarck leads Germany towards unification using his political philosophy of realpolitik, or “the politics of reality.”

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