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German Unification 1850s – 1871

German Unification 1850s – 1871. People and Terms to know. Manteuffel Chancellor to King Frederick William IV Chancellor : head of government (equiv to GB Prime Minister) Regent: ruler of country while monarch is ill/absent or weak William 1 : successor to KWF IV, 1861

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German Unification 1850s – 1871

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  1. German Unification 1850s – 1871

  2. People and Terms to know • Manteuffel Chancellor to King Frederick William IV • Chancellor: head of government (equiv to GB Prime Minister) • Regent: ruler of country while monarch is ill/absent or weak • William 1: successor to KWF IV, 1861 • Nationalverein: German National Union 1859 – Aim: 1 central gvt for all Germany • Progressive Party: Prussian Liberal Party • Junkers: German landlords/aristocracy – support monarch • Budget: A spending plan proposed by monarch • Mobilisation: preparation and movement of armed forces for war • Von Roon: War Minister to KW1 • Von Moltke: Chief of Staff (Commander of Army) • Landwehr: part-time soldiers, favoured Liberals • National Liberals: would give support to Monarch‘s plan • Landtag: Lower House of Parliament (=GB House of Commons) • Impasse: stalemate. • Abdication: give up the throne/crown • Luckentheorie: loop hole in Prussian Constitution Bismarck used to carry on with military budget spending in 1861 • Realpolitik:: doing what is practical as opposed to doing what is ideal. • Opportunism: taking advantage of opportunities as they arise.

  3. The Prussian Constitutional Crisis • Cameron, Robertson, Henderson p63 – 78

  4. Constitutional Crisis (1) • King William 1 was a leading figure in German unification because: • Replaced conservative, Manteuffel, with a liberal minister • Believed in unification. Prussia as leader

  5. Proposed changes to Prussian army: • Army training 2-3 years full time for all men. • 3-4 years training in reserves • Landwehr (part-timesoldiers) to be abolished • 49 more regiments • 9million thalers (£1.5mill) per year to pay for changes • New weapons to be intro’d • Army strength increased from 230,000 to 450,000.

  6. Why military changes? • Prussian military support of Austria vs France was shambolic • Traditionally Prussian army strong/proud • KWI was a soldier himself • Re-establish Prussian authority in Europe

  7. Why Liberal Opposition to Military proposals • Reforms would make men more loyal to King. They would oppose Liberals (evidence 1848) • Junkers power and influence would increase. • Landwehr – Liberal supporters – would decrease • Cost of reforms = increased taxes. Liberals = middle classes = taxpayers.

  8. The Crisis • Prussian Constitution allows PT to agree/veto the budget • KW wants to spend on army development • 1860 Liberal PT refuses whole budget – agree to 1 year spending • KW goes ahead anyway because is supported by Upper House (Junkers) • 1861 same again but splits Liberals: National Libs accept budget. Progressives reject totally. • Elections 1861. Progressive Pty big victory. Refuse budget. • KW dissolves PT. • More elections • Same again • CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS!!!!!!!!!! • IMPASSE: no give from either side. Stalemate.

  9. Possible solutions to the Crisis • KW abolish PT, rule by decree • KW sees himself as a failure. Suggests abdication! • Appoint new Chancellor.

  10. Decision • Solution iii: Appoint Otto Von Bismarck as the new Chancellor. 1862 • Summoned to Prussia by Von Roon • “Periculum in mora. Dépêchez-vous!” • “Delay is dangerous, hurry!”

  11. The soldier The statesman/politician l to r. Bismarck, von Roon, von Moltke BISMARCK the man The congenial gentleman (the ladies’ man!)

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