Chapter 10 Section 1 Building a German Nation

Chapter 10 Section 1 Building a German Nation Mr. Bellisario November 4, 2013 Woodridge High School

Section Objectives • Identify several events that promoted German unity during the early 1800. • Explain the step of how Bismarck unified Germany. • Analyze the basic political organization of the new German empire.

Early Changes that Helped German Unity • Early 1800’s Germanspeaking people – Number of small states (countries) – Largest state, Prussia – Austrian Hapsburg empire

Impact of Napoleon (1807 -1812) > desire for a united Germany • Territorial changes in German area – He annexed land along Rhine R. for France – Dissolved the Holy Roman Empire – Organized some German states into Rhine Confederation • New policies – Freeing of serfs – Made trade easier – Abolished laws against Jews • Congress of Vienna created German Confederation, weak alliance headed by Austria

Prussia 1830’s • 1830’s Prussia created economic union – Zollverein – Got rid of tariffs among German states – However, Germany remained fragmented

Prussia 1848 • 1848 liberals met at Frankfurt Assembly – Demanded political unity – offered throne to Prussian, Frederick William IV, he refused

Bismarck the Chancellor • Bismarck united Germany because of his strong will – Background – `From Prussia’s nobility, called Junkers, conservative landowners • King William I made Bismarck Chancellor- prime minister of German states under Prussian rule – Realpolitik – realistic politics based on the needs of the state (Bismarck was the master!) – Creator of German unity – Not a nationalist – loyal to Hohenzollerns, ruling family of Prussia

3 Wars – War with Denmark • • 1864 formed alliance w/ Austria Seized provinces of Schleswig & Holstein from Denmark – Austro-Prussian War • • • 1866 Bismarck created excuse to attack Austria Lasted 6 weeks Prussian annexed or took control of several northern German states – Franco-Prussian War • • Rivalry between France & Prussia Bismarck caused the war to happen by – Talking about French threat & trying to – – – create German nationalism Told the press about meeting between King Willliam I (Germany) & French ambassador » Edited “Ems dispatch” » Made it seem like William I had insulted the ambassador Napoleon III was furious & declared war on Prussia France defeated by Prussians

Result from those wars • France is never a European power again • Basic Political Organization of New German Empire – Jan. 1871, William/Wilhelm I of Prussia became kaiser, emperor of the Second Reich (empire) – First Reich was Holy Roman Empire – Unified southern German states & Northern German Confederation – Constitution set up two-house legislature • Bundesrat – upper house, members appointed from nobility • Reichstag – lower house, members elected • Bundesrat could veto Reichstag – real power w/ kaiser & chancellor