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The Unification of Germany 1850 - 1871

The Unification of Germany 1850 - 1871. What are the big questions we seek answers to? Which was the most important factor causing the unification of Germany? Did Bismarck plan it all or did he take advantage of opportunities as they arose?

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The Unification of Germany 1850 - 1871

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  1. The Unification of Germany 1850 - 1871 • What are the big questions we seek answers to? • Which was the most important factor causing the unification of Germany? • Did Bismarck plan it all or did he take advantage of opportunities as they arose? • What are historians’ opinions about the above issues?

  2. The Unification of Germany 1850 - 1871 To understand how the German states united we need to understand: The Continued Growth of Nationalism Growing Prussian Economic Strength The Decline of Austria The Modernisation of the Prussian Army The Leadership of Otto von Bismarck and the wars of unification

  3. The Continued Growth of Nationalism • 1. The Nationalverein (ref. McKichan p.43) • 1859-1867 • Was a group of Prussian liberals and nationalists • Aims • agitated for a national federation of German states under the leadership of Prussia • 2. The National Liberals = Prussian political party established due to the Nationalverein

  4. 3. Impact of 1862 anniversaries of Fichte and defeats of Napoleon: • increases the popularity for the spirit and ‘love of the Fatherland’ among the middle classes and intellectuals. • 4. Limitations of this type of nationalism: • Not popular among the working classes as it offers them no real prospects of better working conditions • The monarchs of the German States still had the support of their armies and they controlled most of the wealth.

  5. Growing Prussian Economic Strength • Question 5 • Ref: p42, McK • Compare growth with Austria

  6. Economic 2

  7. Growing Prussian Economic Strength • Question 6 • The acquisition of the Rhineland by Prussia (after 1815 Confederation agreement) was important to Prussia because: • Rhineland has • main mineral deposits of coal, iron ore, lead, oil • Is major transport/trade link to North Sea

  8. Growing Prussian Economic Strength • Question 7. • 1850s to 60s Zollverein continued to be important to Prussia because: • 1. the economic dominance of Prussia made unification led to military dominance, and then to political dominance. • 2. the Zollverein encouraged an anti-Austrian tradition among the Prussians so they would try to make sure any German nation would be led by Prussia without Austria.

  9. Growing Prussian Economic Strength • Question 8 • Bismarck’s speech in 1862. ref McK. P 48 • Iron and blood = Prussian military strength • Iron = weapons • Blood = fighting • ie, need a well equipped army for war to unite Germany • JM Keynes (economist in 1920s) with hindsight believed the economy had more influence on unification than Bismarck • Coal and iron = economic power • ie , the growth of the German economy

  10. The Decline of Austria and the Favourable International Situation after the 1850s • Question 9. ref p 42, McK • Decline of Austrian political power due to: • Schwarzenburg died in 1852. He was widely respected in Europe as an able statesman, his early death has generally been seen by historians as a grave setback to Austria, as none of his successors possessed his stature or skill. • Austria failed to support Russia in Crimean war so loses a valuable ally

  11. The Decline of Austria and the Favourable International Situation after the 1850s • Question 10: ref p 41 McK • Schwarzenburg wanted to create a new customs union with Austria as the dominant power. • Plan collapsed in 1852 because smaller states refused to join. They did not to want to lose the benefits they got by being in the Zollverein with Prussia • Austria’s slow industrial growth restricted its development of new weapons so its military strength was reduced compared to Prussia’s.

  12. The Decline of Austria and the Favourable International Situation after the 1850s • Question 11 ref. p 42 McK • Austrian/Russian relationship ended because she failed to support Russia in the Crimean War (1853-56) after Russia had helped Austria suppress revolutions in Austria and allied with Austria against Prussia at Olmutz, 1850 • Consequence: Austria lost Russia as a vital ally for any future support.

  13. The Decline of Austria and the Favourable International Situation after the 1850s • Question 12 • Decline in Austria’s international power due to: • 1859 Austria defeated in war against Italians who had French help. (Second Italian war of independence) so relationships with France and Russia were poor. • Austrian economy was slow to industrialise relative to Prussia, GB, France so Austria’s international status as a major power declined.

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