The Unification of Germany (1861-1871)

Forces Against Unity in Germany

Cultural differences within the German states : Protestant and Catholics; rural and urban livelihood; conservative and liberal

Long history of independence of German states and princes

Hapsburg Austria and France opposed German unification

Prussian Leadership

After Frankfurt Assembly failure in 1848, leadership for German unification passed to Prussia and the Hohenzollern kings Strongest military in German states Established the Zollverein—a large, free trade zone

within German states Economically unified already

Support for unification came from the Junkers (nobility)

Unification will be achieved through force

The Main Players of German Unification

Otto von Bismarck Wilhelm I Helmuth von Moltke

Class“by blood and iron”Preferred gov’tReason behind Iron Chancellor

Main Players

William (Wilhelm) I—King of Prussia (1861) Wanted to enlarge the army, but

lacked support from the liberal Prussian parliament

1861—King of Prussia 1871—Emperor of Germany Supported unification of

Germany minus Austria

Otto von Bismarck

Appointed as Chancellor of Prussia in 1862 Junker

Ignored the parliament and enlarged and reformed the army Built railroads for transportation of soldiers

Worked to isolate Austria from the German Confederation

“Blood and Iron” speech—unification will occur only through force

Realpolitik—German emphasis on law, order, and hard work

Wars of Unification

Refer to your handout, identify in your notebook the three wars fought during the unification process and what each war accomplished. The Danish War (1864) no space Space before Austro-Prussian War (1866) Result: Creation of North German Confederation and

contents no space Space before Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)

Bismarck’s Wars and Government

The Danish War (1864) – Prussia together with Austria easily defeats Denmark to take over northern states of Schleswig (Prussia) and Holstein (Austria)

Map 22–2 THE UNIFICATION OF GERMANY Under Bismarck’s leadership, and with the strong support of its royal house, Prussia used diplomatic and military means, on both the German and international stages, to forcibly unify the German states into a strong national entity.

The Austro-Prussian War (1866)

diplomacy gains Russian sympathy by supporting the suppression of

Poland persuaded Napoleon III to stay neutral in Austrian-Prussian

conflicts promised Italy, Venetia if they supported Prussia

Austria defeated – Italy gets Venetia and Austrian Hapsburgs excluded from German affairs

The North German Confederation – Prussia now had a federation with two houses Bundesrat – federal council composed of members appointed

by governments of the states Reichstag – chosen by universal male suffrage / had very little

power nationalism overtakes the concerns of liberalism and Germany

in effect becomes a military monarchy

Map 22–2 THE UNIFICATION OF GERMANY Under Bismarck’s leadership, and with the strong support of its royal house, Prussia used diplomatic and military means, on both the German and international stages, to forcibly unify the German states into a strong national entity.

The Franc0-Prussia War

Spanish throne became vacant and was offered to a member of Hohenzollern family; Napoleon III objected

On vacation, William I sent a message to Bismarck about the situation

Bismarck doctored the telegram to make it appear France was threatening Prussia

France either had to back down in diplomatic defeat or declare war

France declares war on Prussia when Bismarck makes it appear that William I of Prussia had insulted France (Ems Dispatch) Prussia crushes France and captures Napoleon IIITreaty of

Frankfurt (1871) William (Wilhelm I) becomes emperor of united Germany German unification is a blow to liberalism, France, and the

Hapsburg empire

The Prussian victory at the battle of Sedan in September l870 brought about the collapse of the regime of Louis Napoleon in France and sealed the Prussian accomplishment of the unification of Germany. In this contemporary photograph the Prussian infantry is making an advance.Getty Images Inc.—Hulton Archive Photos

The German Empire

Following the war against France, the four South German states—Baden, Bavaria, Hesse, and Wurttemberg joined the North German Confederation

The German Empire was born in Jan. 1871 with Kaiser Wilhelm I as emperor

Two houses of legislature, BUT all real power was in the hands of the kaiser and Bismarck

Germany was an autocracy not a democracy

Map 22–2 THE UNIFICATION OF GERMANY Under Bismarck’s leadership, and with the strong support of its royal house, Prussia used diplomatic and military means, on both the German and international stages, to forcibly unify the German states into a strong national entity.

The proclamation of the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, January 18, 1871, after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War. Kaiser Wilhelm I is standing at the top of the steps under the flags. Bismarck is in the center in a white uniform. Bildarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz

Italy (1848—1870)Italy (1848—1870) Germany (1848—1871)Germany (1848—1871)

Timeline: The Unifications(seven events min. per country)