UNIFICATION OF GERMANY
Steps to Unification•The Revolution of 1848 - inspiration•The Promise of Reforms – Wilhelm IV•The Zollverein – economic unity•German Unification – Otto von Bismarck & Realpolitik
The “German Question” 2 Basic Political Concepts to deal with
the formation of Germany1. “Greater German Solution” – a Germany
that would include Austria2. “Lesser German Solution” – A Germany
without Austria Which solution would be more
nationalistic?
The Rise of Prussia Napoleon’s Restrictions
Limited the size of the Prussian army Forced to pay large indemnities Forced to support an occupying army Contributed soldiers to France
Prussia’s Response Creative method to create a well-oiled military
Congress of Vienna strengthens Prussia 2/3 of Saxony Area along the Rhine River Part of the newly established German Confederation
(39 separate states including Prussia and Austria)
Economic Unification Need for Reform
Tariffs restricted trade - more costly – sell less Junkers – lead an economic reform movement – Free
Trade 1818 – King of Prussia abolishes tariffs in Prussian territory 1820-34 – German States sign trade agreements with
each other limiting restrictions 1834 – Zollverein established as a customs union
Functions Prices were lower and more uniform Tariff protection from outside markets Adopted uniform system of weights and measurements and currency Lead to increased markets and industrialization
Austria was not a member state
Prussia as the Nucleus State Otto von Bismarck – Prussian Prime Minister for Wilhelm
I Realpolitik – a practical government philosophy with
policies based on the interests of Prussia Germany unity would not be won “ by speeches and
majority vote but by blood and iron” Dismissed parliament and collected taxes Strong central authority
2 Major Obstacles towards German Unification Drive Austria from their leadership in the German Conf. Overcome Austria’s influence in the southern German
States Bismarck will use war to accomplish his goals
3 Major Wars Danish War – Denmark tried to annex 2
territories they had ruled for centuries Schleswig – mix of Germans & Danes Holstein – entirely German
Bismarck convinced Austria to an Alliance and soundly defeated Denmark
The Treaty of Gastein in 1865 - Austria – Holstein & Prussia – Schleswig
Bismarck again manipulates the outcome for the future
Seven Weeks’ War No one believed Austria could be beaten by Prussia Bismarck’s diplomacy and trickery
Napoleon III remained neutral thinking it would receive territory on the Rhine
Formed an alliance with the new nation of Italy – would receive Venetia
Bismarck provoked Austria into war – sent troops into Holstein Treaty of Prague
Dissolved the German Conf. Austria surrenders Holstein & Venetia Formation of the North German Confederation
Each state had self government King of Prussia – hereditary pres. of the Conf. Prussia dominated the legislature Bavaria, Baden, Wurttenberg remained outside Prussian influence
Franco-Prussian War Provoke a war with France to unify southern states 1870 Spain sought a new ruler
Prince Leopold – cousin of King of Prussia France objects – Napoleon III demand Leopold turn
down the offer France insists on a public pledge that no Hohenzollern
would ever be a candidate for the Spanish throne Ems Telegram – Bismarck manipulates the telegram to show
the French humiliating Wilhelm – released to the press "a red rag to the Gallic bull.” (Bismarck) When France declared war the southern states united with Prussia Why did Bismarck treat France more harshly than Austria at the
end of the Seven Weeks’ War?
Hall of Mirrors
On January 18, 1871 the creation of a Unified Germany excluding AustriaKing William IBismarck - Chancellor(remained the Prime Minister of Prussia as well)
A New Constitution A federal form of government with an allowance for
individual states rights Had its own ruler Right to handle their own domestic matters
Education, law enforcement, local taxation Bavaria unique in its right to control military
Federal Government National defense, foreign affairs and commerce Kaiser “Emperor”
Appointed the Chancellor Commanded the army and navy Could declare a defensive war on his own Could declare an offensive war with Bundesrat
agreement
A Bicameral Legislature Bundesrat
The upper house 58 appointed members Approved bills from the executive Strongly controlled by autocratic
landholders who support the Emperor
Reichstag lower house 400 members elected by universal
manhood suffrage Limited powers
Could approve military budgets once every 7 years
No real legislative power
Opposition to Bismarck
Kulturkampf
“State within a State” “Syllabus Errorum” - 1864
Condemned civil marriage and civil education
Doctrine of Papal Infallibility Created a rift between Bismarck and
the Catholic Center Party Strong support in south and Alsace &
Lorraine
Measures Taken Expelled Jesuits May Laws
Forbade political expression from the pulpit Required clergy be German and educated in German schools Established civil marriage
Broke ties with the Vatican Confiscated church property Heinz Kullmann attempts to assassinate the “Iron
Chancellor” Ended in failure by 1887
“that in fashioning a rod to beat off the pope they were making a scourge for their own backs”(Crankshaw)
German Industrialization Germany prospered under Bismarck’s
leadership How would you compare his economic
philosophy to that of Adam Smith (be specific) and how did Bismarck create his greatest opposition in the SDP?
Growing Opposition 1869 -formation of the Social Democratic
Party 1871 - 2 members elected to the
Reichstag 1877 - members reach 12 1877 - won 490,000 votes 2 attempted assassinations against the
Kaiser gave him his chance to attack the SDP
Measures to limit the SDP Dissolved the Reichstag and held new
elections -- failed Repressive laws
Newspapers and books prohibited from spreading socialist ideas
Banned socialist political parties He finally reverses his strategy with
some success
Concessions Health Insurance Act - which entitled workers to health
insurance; the worker paid two-thirds, and the employer one-third, of the premiums.
Accident insurance was provided Old Age Pension and disability insurance were established Other laws restricted the employment of women and children.