L5 & L6: Nation-State Building in Germany

AgendaObjective:To understand…1. The Process of German Unification2. Otto Von Bismarck, his beliefs, and his

role in the unification process.3. The role of nationalism in the creation

of Germany.4. How nationalism played a different

role in German Unification than in earlier revolutions.

Schedule: 1. Opening activity2. German Unification lecture and

discussion

Homework:

1.Consult unit schedule.

2.Reminder: Writing Goals for Nation-State Paper Due Next Class!

Germany 1815• German-speaking

parts of Europe are divided into 39 states.

• These states were governed by an association called the German Confederation created by the Congress of Vienna.

• The most powerful influences in the Confederation was the German state of Prussia and the Austrian Empire, who Metternich had made a dominant partner in the Confederation.

Early German Nationalism: What was It?

“The first, original, and truly natural boundaries of states are beyond doubt their internal boundaries. Those who speak the same language are joined to each other by a multitude of invisible bonds by nature herself, long before any human art begins; they understand each other and have the power of continuing to make themselves understood more and more clearly; they belong together and are by nature one and an inseparable whole.” - Johann Fichte

“We want Germany to be considered one land and the German people one people….We should like Germany to have the freest possible [constitution]…[one] that fits in with the spirit of the times and with the people’s own level of enlightenment, rather than what each prince gives his people according to what he likes and what serves his private interest.” - Heinrich von Gagern

Early German Nationalism

• Led by students, early German nationalist demonstrates took on a violent and rebellious tone.

• For example in October 1817 students burned books on a great bonfire to protest their discontent.

• In response, Metternich imposed the Karlsbad Decrees on Germany.

German Revolution 1848• Word of France’s

revolutionary activity in 1848 spread quickly throughout Europe and soon at public assemblies throughout Germany, liberals were demanding unification.

• As in Paris, German citizens began building barricades in Berlin in the German state of Prussia.

German Revolution 1848• In response, the Prussian King,

Frederick William IV decided to make concessions rather than unleash further violence and bloodshed.– He ordered the army out of Berlin

and promised the Prussian people their liberal demands of a parliament, a constitution, and a united Germany.

• Upon learning of this development, the rulers of other German states agreed to establish constitutional governments and guarantee basic civil rights.

The Frankfurt Parliament• The Frankfurt Parliament

opened its first session with more than 500 delegates from the various German states and Austria.

• The Parliament was largely made up of middle class members.

• The goal of the Parliament was to create a constitution for a united German empire.

The Frankfurt Parliament• There was disagreement among members of the

Parliament over several significant issues:– What form of government would be best for the new

empire?– Who would make up the new empire?

• All German-speakers in central Europe?• All Germans in central Europe except Austrians?

• All of the infighting prevented the Parliament from reaching any sort of consensus and the Parliament was largely ineffective.

• In 1850 King Frederick William IV issued a constitution that paid lip service to parliamentary democracy but kept real power in the hands of the king and the upper classes.

The Emergence of Otto von Bismarck

• At the start of the 1860s a new ruler, William I came to power.

• In 1862 he appointed Otto von Bismarck as Prime Minister

• Bismarck’s appointment not only strengthened the power of the King but also the hopes of all of those who wanted a united Germany.

King of Prussia: William I

Prime Minister

of Prussia:Otto Von Bismarck

Otto Von Bismarck

• Some historians argue that he is the most important figure in German history between Luther and Hitler.

• Strong personality; unyielding desire for power

• Conservative - Didn’t trust the people or democracy

• Master of Realpolitik• Political decisions are based on

self-interest and desire for power.

• Ideology, morals, and principles are not taken into account.

• Responsible for the political strategy that led to German unification.

Example of Bismarck’s Realpolitik“I have often acted hastily and without reflection, but when I have had time to think I have always asked: What is useful, effective, right for the fatherland. I have never been a doctrinaire. Liberal, reactionary, conservative--these, I confess, seem to me luxuries. Give me a strong German state, and then ask me whether it should have more or less liberal furnishings, and you’ll find that I answer: Yes, I have no fixed opinions, make no proposals. Many roads led to Rome. Sometimes one may rule liberally, and sometimes dictatorially, there are no eternal rules. My only aim has been the creation and consolidation of Germany.”

• How is this an example of realpolitik?• What does this suggest about Bismarck’s view of the role

of nationalism in unification?

Bismarck’s Plan for Unification…

• Bismarck wanted to unify the 39 German-speaking states into a single nation.

• Consider the following quote:– “The position of…Germany will not be

determined by its liberalism but by its power…Not through speeches and majority decisions will the great questions of the day be decided--that was the great mistake of 1848--but by iron and blood.” • What does Bismarck mean by blood and iron?• Why does Bismarck want German unification? • How is this different from the motivations behind the

“indpendence” movements in Latin America and France?

• How does Bismarck propose unifying Germany?• How is this an example of realpolitik?

Bismarck wanted to use this army to unite the German people under Prussian leadership.

Prussia was famous for its powerful military.

“Prussia is not a country with an army, but an army with a country!” - Voltaire

Bismarck’s Plan for

Unification…

Austro-Prussian War (1866)• Prussia defeats Austria.

• Countries of northern Germany come under Prussian rule.

Franco-Prussian War (1871),• Prussia defeats France.

•France gives Germany Alsace and Lorraine

•Countries of southern Germany come under Prussian rule.

A United GermanyThe German Empire

• After the defeat of both Austria and France, the Second Reich was proclaimed.

• William I was crowed the German emperor, (Kaiser).

• Bismarck was appointed Chancellor.– Appointed by the Kaiser and responsible

only to him.

King William I was crowned Emperor of Germany in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles in

France in 1871

Why Crown the Kaiser at Versailles?

Where’s Bismarck?

Big Ideas About German Unification

• Did Bismarck unite Germany for political or ideological reasons?

• How does this differ from the earlier motives (1815-1848) driving the desire for German unification?

• Is Germany united from above or below? • German unification both created and

broke up great empires. Explain.• Where does nationalism fit in to German

unification?

Maintaining Unification

• Although the people living the 39 German states largely shared a common linguistic (German) and religious (Protestant) bond, the borders of the new empire included millions of people who identified neither with the German language and culture (French, Danes, poles) nor with the dominant religion (Catholic and Jews).

• What might be some obstacles to maintaining a unified German nation given this cultural composition?

Maintaining Unification: Bismarck’s View of the Relationship Between the Individual and the

State• Bismarck believed that to keep

Germany united, and hence powerful, the state had to built on the principle of “one faith, one law, one ruler.”

• Bismarck believed that the state and the individual were inextricably linked.– The individual could not have any

identity, interests, opinions outside of those sanctioned by the state.

– The aims of the state = the aims of the individual.

– The state and the individual must become one.

• But…

Maintaining Unification: Bismarck’s View of the Relationship Between the Individual and the

State• But…the creation of a German

nation now means that millions of people who, though they share a common language, identified neither with the German culture nor with the dominant religion.

• The new citizens of the German empire did not have “one faith, one law, one ruler.”

• What does Bismarck’s view of the state-individual suggest he might do about this?

Bismarck Redefines Nationalism to Maintain

Unification• If Bismarck believes that the individual must completely align their interests with that of the state, then there is no room for internal conflict and dissent.

• Therefore, the creation of German empire necessitated that “diverse” groups either be suppressed or forcibly assimilated into the new national structure.

• To do this, Bismarck attempted to create a national identity and culture based on loyalty to the German state.

Kulturekampf• To eliminate these competing forces

Bismarck introduced a set of laws and policies known as kulturekampf – Translation: the struggle for culture; struggle

for civilization– Purpose: Movement to unify German society

through a policy of Germanization

• Laws were mostly targeted at Catholics and Socialists, the two groups who Bismarck believed posed the greatest threat to German unification.

• The laws had provisions such as:– Making it an offense for the clergy to criticize

the government– Regulating the educational activities of the

religious orders– Making it a crime to be a socialist

Discussion!• One prominent German historian observed that the

making of Germany was only slightly less difficult than the making of Germans. – How is Bismarck making Germans?– What does this say about national identity as we have

studied it thus far?• How is nationalism a process of inclusion and exclusion? • How has the definition of a German evolved since 1815?• How does Bismarck use nationalism in Germany

following unification? • How has nationalism shifted in Germany since 1815?• What trends, patterns, and themes do you see in our

case studies this far?