Germany Unification 2 0 Not by speeches and

Germany Unification 2. 0 “Not by speeches and resolutions of majorities are the great questions of the time decided upon – but by blood and iron”.

A German Nation is Forged

Background to German Unification § § Prior to the French Revolution, there were more than 300 German states. Prussia and Austria were the largest. The Congress of Vienna reduced the number of German states to 39. The smaller number of German states encouraged feelings of nationalism and patriotism among these German states.

Barriers to German Unification § § § France preferred 39 weak states to one nation. Austria knew Prussia was most powerful state. Rulers of smaller states feared loss of power in a united Germany. Protestant/Catholic hostility (from Thirty Years’ War). Economic differences between western industrial states and agricultural eastern states.

Factors Encouraging German Unification § § Napoleon encouraged German unification with the Confederation of the Rhine under the Napoleonic Code. Intellectuals supported a German Nation: § Heinrich von Treitschke envisioned a German Fatherland § Goethe and Schiller saw a common nationality for all Germans Congress of Vienna created a German Confederation which was made up of 39 states. Zollverein created to increase trade, reduce problems of many state governments; taxes, coinage and postal system.

How Bismarck United Germany Otto von Bismarck

How Bismarck United Germany § § § Prussia led German unification. Otto von Bismarck led Prussia. § Bismarck did not trust people or democracy § Bismarck stood for absolutism, Divine Right Monarchy and the Protestant Lutheran church § William I, King of Prussia appointed Bismarck chief minister in the Prussian Parliament , 1848 Bismarck’s policy of “blood and iron”.

Bismarck’s Policy of “Blood and Iron” “Not by speeches and resolutions of majorities are the great questions of the time decided upon – but by blood and iron”.

How Bismarck United Germany § § § Bismarck showed Prussia was strong § The Danish War (1864) § Prussia and Austria defeat Denmark § Austro-Prussian War (1866) § War over division of wealth from the Danish War § Prussia prepared, Austria unprepared § Prussia wins Creation of North German Confederation led by Prussia Franco-Prussian War (1870 -71) § Bismarck waited for an opportunity to force France to wage war on Prussia to increase Prussia’s prestige and encourage other German states to join North German confederation

France: Bismarck’s Strategy § § Spanish throne is offered to a relative of the King of Prussia after leaders of the Spanish revolution removed their leader. Louis Napoleon (Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew), Emperor of France convinces German prince to refuse crown then sends an envoy to convince William I of Prussia not to accept the crown. From the City of Ems, William I sends a telegram to Bismarck about the request, this is called the Ems Dispatch. Bismarck, seizing his opportunity, rewords the telegram and publishes it in the newspapers.

Bismarck’s Plan Pays Off § § § Prussians become upset about unfair demands to their king; French are insulted by Prussia. France declares war though unprepared – Prussia thus acquires: – French provinces of Alsace & Lorraine – money to cover the cost of war The Franco-Prussian War completes the unification of Germany. South German states unite with north to fight France 1871: German Empire is formed, William I of Prussia as Emperor.

Kaiser Wilhelm I

Nature of a United Germany § Germany was far from democratic: – The Government of the German Empire was a federal union of states with the King of Prussia as ruler and a two house legislature with: – A powerful 61 member appointed upper house – A 400 member lower house chosen by universal male suffrage (all men could vote) – Strong king who made government appointments, strong upper house had power – strong army, soldiers prominent in society

Bismarck’s Policies § § § Made socialism illegal Improved working conditions Persecuted national and religious minorities, especially Catholics In foreign affairs, tried to isolate France by making friendships with Austria and Russia Use of Realpolitik was Bismarck’s foreign policy decisions are not based on ideological or moral considerations; decisions should be based on self-interest.

German Unification Ramifications n – On Jan. 18, 1871 Germany is, for the first time since the 13 Century, reunited. Done by “Iron and Blood, ” instead of by a liberal, bourgeois ideals. A militaristic state does it with a monarch supported by the landed aristocracy (Junkers) and the industrialists who will become the Iron & Rye Coalition. It is a Conservative state, not a liberal, bourgeois state. It is also the “Kaiserreich” – the State of the Kaiser. – – – n It is a state that is created from above. Key Question: n Germany has created a state, but has it created the nation? Creation of the German Empire with expansionist tendencies.

German Unification and France and the War n – – – The King and Army surrendered but the nation fought on. The “nation in arms. ” The “nation” is no longer just the King; it is the people.

The Paris Commune 1871

The Paris Commune 1871 n n n – n n n The workers and radicals would not accept the Versailles Peace and the Workers and Radicals took over. Theirs and his ministers at Versailles had no doubt that the Paris Commune was a declaration of social change that had to be crushed by civil war. On the 29 March The London Times described the revolution as the “predominance of the Proletariat over the wealthy classes, of the workman over the master, of Labour over Capital/” The Russian Emperor pressed the German government not to hinder the French repression of the Commune because the government at Versailles was a safeguard for both France and all of Europe. Bismarck threatened to use the German army if Theirs did not hurry up and destroy the Commune and even offered to use the Prussian Army to suppress the Commune. Eventually - 30, 000 workers were killed in the month of March, and the mass arrests of more than 38, 000 workers took place after the crushing of the Commune

The Paris Commune 1871 n – – – Importance of the Commune Unleashed the “Spectre” Frightened the Ruling Classes throughout Europe. Marx viewed it as the example for the coming Communist Revolutions. Lenin became determined that he would not lose the Revolution like the Communards. – n n – He argued they were too soft. He also wrote: “Working men's Paris, with its Commune, will be forever celebrated as the glorious harbinger of a new society. Its martyrs are enshrined in the great heart of the working class. Its exterminators history has already nailed to that eternal pillory from which all the prayers of their priest will not avail to redeem them. ”