German Unification Steps Towards Unification Background Like Italy

German Unification

Steps Towards Unification • Background – Like Italy, Germany was not unified in 1848 – However, 39 separate German states existed with a common language and a common culture • Revolution in Prussia – As revolution swept through Europe in 1848, German liberals in Prussia took the opportunity to revolt – King Frederick Wilhelm IV of Prussia promised reforms, but never followed through on these promises

Steps Towards Unification • Economic and Cultural Unity – Zollverein allowed for the removal of tariffs traded between German states (1834) – The Zollverein inspired businesspeople to support unification and encouraged the growth of railroads connecting the German states – With growing wealth and culture, German composers like Richard Wagner glorifying German myths and traditions

Bismark’s Plan for Germany • Otto von Bismark – Conservative politician who was a leading force behind German unification – The new Prussian king, Wilhelm I, chose Bismark as his prime minister in 1862 • Bismark’s Philosophy – Not a liberal reformer like most revolutionaries; Bismark believed in absolutism – Still, Bismark was a nationalist who desired German unification – Practiced “realpolitik, ” or politics that were practical rather than idealistic

Bismark’s Plan for Germany • “Blood and Iron” – Bismark made a famous speech to parliament argueing that German unity could not be won by speeches, but instead by “blood and iron. ” – When the liberal parliament refused to approve funds for the military Bismark dismissed the assembly and collected taxes anyway – He then built the Prussian army into a great war machine, one that could unite Germany

Bismark’s Plan for Germany • Bismark’s First War – In 1864 Bismark formed a military alliance with Austria against Denmark – After a brief fight, Denmark gave Holstein and Schleswig territories to Austria and Prussia. Austria got Holstein and Prussia got Schleswig. – War with Austria was now inevitable because they controlled Holstein inside Prussia’s borders

Unification and Empire • Background – Italy promised their support against Austria in return for the territory of Venetia. – French leader Napoleon III was persuaded to stay neutral when war broke out • The Austro-Prussian War – Bismark sent troops into Holstein, which led to Austria declaring war – King Wilhem I used this declaration of war to rally the Prussian people against Austria – Highly skilled Prussian army defeated the Austrians in just seven weeks – Treaty ending the war dissolved the German Confederation and gave Prussia control over Holstein

Unification and Empire • Background – The southern German states were still not included in the North German Confederation • The Franco-Prussian War – Fought between France and Prussia (1870 -71) over disputed territory of Alsace and Lorraine – Peace treaty led to the unification of Germany

Unification and Empire • Creating the German Empire – Representatives in the new allied Germany met at Versailles to name Wilhelm I their first kaiser – Bismark was then appointed as the first chancellor – With Napoleon III gone, France was no longer powerful, allowing for the rise of Germany

The Empire’s Growth and Change • A New Government – Power was shared between the states and the federal government – All men over 25 could vote

The Empire’s Growth and Change • The Government and the Church – Bismark believed the Roman Catholic Church posed a threat to his government – Bismark believed that the state and not the church should control aspects of culture such as education – The struggle against the church was known as Kulturkampf, or “the struggle for culture”

The Empire’s Growth and Change • Economic Growth – After unification, Germany experienced economic growth – France had paid reparations to Germany after the Franco-Prussian War – German leaders used the money to build railroads, businesses – Germany quickly caught up with other European countries thanks to growth

The Empire’s Growth and Change • The Path to Social Reforms – German socialists protested privatization, harsh factory conditions – Bismark blamed socialists for several assassination attempts – Bismark pushed through reforms that provided benefits for health, accidents, old age, and disability

The Empire’s Growth and Change • Bismark and Wilhelm II – After unification Bismark did not want to expand Germany more, but feared France – Wilhelm II replaced Wilhelm I in 1888. Wilhelm II was the grandson of Wilhelm I – Wilhelm II fired Bismark as prime minister