German Unification Otto von Bismarck German Unification Bell
German Unification Otto von Bismarck & German Unification
Bell Ringer �What is nationalism? Discuss with Partner 1 minute
Zollverein �Von Metternich - Opposed a united Germany �Prussia stepped forward �Zollverein: economic union ◦ Eliminated tariff barriers among German states �Still politically fragmented
Otto von Bismarck �Prussian 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 Power �Recognized importance of strong military �Wanted more money spent on military �Parliament 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 will �Powerful manipulator �Master of “Realpolitik” – politics of reality �Politics 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 & Holstein �Austro-Prussian War �Franco-Prussian War
1864: Schleswig & Holstein �Allied w/ Austria �Seized Schleswig & Holstein from Denmark �Split: ◦ Austria – controlled Holstein ◦ Prussia – controlled Schleswig
1866: Austro-Prussian War �Bismarck invented excuse to attack Austria �Lasted 7 weeks �Major victory for Prussia �Prussia ◦ 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 protested �Bismarck rallies Germans (all Germans)
Realpolitik at work �Had wars with Austria & other territories - Prussia easily won �No harsh terms of peace �Allowed 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 Prussia �Prussia – military superiority �Easily defeated France �Napoleon III surrendered (taken captive)
Germany Unifies �January 18, 1871 �German 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 Peace �Peace treaty signed May 1871 �France 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…
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