Bismarck & German Unificatio

n“Nice Guys Finish Last”

1848 - The turning point at which history failed to

turn. --- George Macaulay Trevelyn [1937]

Centers of Revolution in Centers of Revolution in 18481848

THEAFTERMATH

Democrats Swept Out of Democrats Swept Out of EuropeEurope

The Communist The Communist ManifestoManifesto

Karl MarxKarl Marx Friedrich Friedrich EngelsEngels

Why did the Why did the 18481848 Revolutions failRevolutions fail??

Not enough support from the working classes.

The middle classes were not radical so they held back.

Nationalism divided more than united. The Old Guard was left in place and they

turned brutally against the revolutionaries.

The Bottom Line The Bottom Line It looked like the Conservative forces

had triumphed. BUT…

Things had changed forever. Economic/social problems continued to be

constant challenges to the ruling order. Conservatives would have to make

concessions in order to stay in power. Many of the limited Liberal achievements

remained permanent.

So, how can So, how can conservatives distract conservatives distract

the people? the people? Nationalism The belief that people should be primarily

loyal to their own country.

Militarism Policy of glorifying military power.

Germania Germania - - 18481848

Like France, Liberals Win Like France, Liberals Win Early In GermanyEarly In Germany

Frankfurt Assembly Frankfurt Assembly MeetsMeets

CHAOS!

Liberalism Discredited Liberalism Discredited in Germanyin Germany

Little popular support. The union of liberals and democrats

didn’t last. Rule of force was the only winner! There was a massive exodus of liberal

intellectuals. Militarism, hierarchy, and statism were

triumphant! Capitalists followed suit.

The The ““Three GermaniesThree Germanies””

Enter Bismarck, in Prussia Enter Bismarck, in Prussia (1862)(1862)

Bismarck Rejects Bismarck Rejects LiberalismLiberalism

The master of “Realpolitik”

Politics based on reality, not idealism

Defies Parliament over taxes

Blood & Iron!

Bismarck, Keeping It Bismarck, Keeping It RealRealIt is true that we can hardly escape complications in

Germany, although we do not seek them. Germany does not look to Prussia's liberalism, but to her power. The south German States - Bavaria, Wurtenberg, and Baden - would like to indulge in liberalism, and because of that no one will assign Prussia's role to them! Prussia must collect her forces and hold them in reserve for an opportune moment, which has already come and gone several times. Since the Treaty of Vienna, our frontiers have not been favorably designed for a healthy body politic. Not by speeches and majorities will the great questions of the day be decided - that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849 - but by iron and blood.

First, Prussia Attacks First, Prussia Attacks Denmark - 1864Denmark - 1864

Prussia & Austria vs. Denmark

Second, Prussia Attacks Second, Prussia Attacks Austria - 1866Austria - 1866

Prussia & Italy vs. Austria

Prussian Wins BigPrussian Wins BigPrussia wins the light blue area.

Next, Bismarck Next, Bismarck Provokes A War With Provokes A War With

France - 1870France - 1870Franco-Prussian War: Prussia vs. France

Prussia Kicks FrancePrussia Kicks France’’s s ButtButt

Area Temporarily Occupied By Prussia

The United German Empire - The United German Empire - 1871 1871

The United German Empire - The United German Empire - 1871 1871

Formation Of The German Formation Of The German Reich - 1870Reich - 1870

The Triple AllianceThe Triple Alliance