German Unification
Otto von Bismarck & German Unification
Bell RingerWhat is nationalism?
Discuss with Partner1 minute
ZollvereinVon Metternich - Opposed a
united GermanyPrussia stepped forwardZollverein: economic union
◦Eliminated tariff barriers among German states
Still politically fragmented
Otto von BismarckPrussian Junker
◦Junker = conservative noble class
1862 – became chancellor under King Wilhelm I
In just under 10 years, Bismarck would unify Germany under Prussian rule
Prussian PowerRecognized importance of strong
militaryWanted more money spent on
militaryParliament said “no”Famous “Blood and Iron” speech
Bismarck (cont.)“Germany does not
look to Prussia’s liberalism, but to her power…The great questions of the day are not to be decided by speeches and majority resolutions – that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849 – but by blood and iron!”
Blood and Iron
Discuss with your partner what you think Bismarck meant by Germany’s power will be determined by “blood and iron.”
2 Minutes
Realpolitik Strong willPowerful manipulatorMaster of “Realpolitik” – politics
of realityPolitics based on practical
matters rather than theory or ethics
Often resulted in ruthless decisions
Bismarck’s loyalty
Not a German nationalist
Loyal to the Hohenzollerns – the German royal family
Bismarck’s wars
Schleswig & HolsteinAustro-Prussian WarFranco-Prussian War
1864: Schleswig & HolsteinAllied w/ AustriaSeized Schleswig & Holstein
from DenmarkSplit:
◦Austria – controlled Holstein◦Prussia – controlled Schleswig
1866: Austro-Prussian WarBismarck invented excuse to
attack AustriaLasted 7 weeks Major victory for PrussiaPrussia
◦annexed Holstein and several other German states
◦Dissolved Austrian gov’t & replaced with dominant Prussian one
1870: Franco-Prussian War
Growing rivalry between:◦France (Napoleon III)◦Prussia (Wilhelm I & Bismarck)
Relative of Wilhelm offered Spanish throne
France protestedBismarck rallies Germans (all
Germans)
Realpolitik at workHad wars with Austria & other
territories - Prussia easily wonNo harsh terms of peaceAllowed Austria & some other
German states to remain independent
Why would he do this?? Discuss with partner 1 minute
Practical Motives“We had to avoid leaving behind
any desire for revenge.” ◦Otto von Bismarck
Ems Dispatch
Bismarck rewrote & released in the press a telegram
Wilhelm “insulted” French ambassador
Napoleon III (France) declared war on Prussia
“On to Berlin!”France attacked
PrussiaPrussia – military
superiorityEasily defeated
France Napoleon III
surrendered (taken captive)
Germany UnifiesJanuary 18,1871German Confederation made
official Bismarck + 600 German princes,
nobles, and generals gathered at Versailles
Wilhelm I of Prussia proclaimed Kaiser of the Second German Empire
France Pays the Cost of PeacePeace treaty signed May 1871France paid $1 billion and had to
give up the provinces of Alsace & Lorraine
All that was left were bitter feelings and the desire for revenge…