Aim: How did Otto Von Bismarck use nationalism to bring about German unification? Part 1

1. Aim: How did Otto Von Bismarck use nationalism to bring about German unification? Part 1 February 27, 2013

2. Why is Germany still divided in the 19th century? • The Protestant Reformation and the religious division that went along with it (northern states were largely Protestant, southern states were Catholic). • France worked hard to keep Germany divided (Thirty Years War). As France grew stronger, Germany grew more fractured. • By the 1640s, two powerful German nations have emerged: Prussia in the north, Austria in the south. • In the early 19th century, the Congress of Vienna creates the German Confederation (with Austria and Prussia at the helm) to repress liberalism in German areas. First step on the road to unification.

3. Prussia vs. Austria • By the 1830s, it was clear that Germany was slowly coming together, but it was not clear whether Austria or Prussia would lead the unification. Prussia had the edge: • They dominate the Zollverein, which Austria is not a part of. • It was easier for Prussia to use nationalism to unify the German people. Austria could not do this because their territories contained peoples from many ethnic backgrounds.

4. Conservatives and Liberals in Prussia have different approaches to unification • Liberal Middle Class • Rising in power and prominence thanks to the Industrial Revolution. Dominate the new parliament created in Prussia after the Revolution of 1848. • Want to see Germany unified based on classical liberal values (laissez-faire economy; representative government where political power rests with the parliament, not the king) • Conservative King (William I – rules 1861-1888) • Prussia needs a strong military to protect itself from external threats (Austria, Italy, France) and expand Prussian power over other German territories. • William I raises taxes in order to double the size of the army. Middle class Parliament opposes this. • Middle class liberals win a big majority in the 1862 parliamentary elections. Reject William I’s 1862 military budget

5. Rise of Bismarck • William I appoints Otto von Bismarck as chief minister of Prussia in 1862. Bismarck is given free reign to lead the government, reorganize the army and collect taxes even without parliament’s permission. • On his first day in office, Bismarck declares: “The great questions of the day will not be decided by speeches and resolutions…but by blood and iron.” • Middle class shows its disdain for Bismarck by electing huge liberal majorities to the parliament between 1862-1866. Bismarck ignores them all!

6. Bismarck’s quest for power • Bismarck desires personal power, and wants to see Prussia become the equal of the other four great powers. He will use nationalism as a tool to lure other German states into joining Prussia, increasing Prussia’s size and power. • Now Bismarck needs some successes on the battlefield that will inspire other German states to join with Prussia and silence his middle class opponents.

7. Danish War (1864) • Causes: Schleswig & Holstein werecontrolled byDenmark, but were also part of the German Confederation and had large German populations. Bismarck makes an alliance with Austria to conquer them. • Results: • Schleswig - Controlled by Prussia • Holstein – Controlled by Austria

8. Austro-Prussian War (1866) • Causes: Bismarck now wants to take over Holstein and expel Austria from German affairs. Provokes a war with Austria. • Results: Prussia defeats Austria quickly with its superior military. Prussia takes over Holstein and annexes other north German states. Old German Confederation is dissolved, and a new North German Confederation, dominated by Prussia and Bismarck, is created.