German Unification

Otto von Bismarck & German Unification

Bell RingerWhat is nationalism?

Discuss with Partner1 minute

ZollvereinVon Metternich - Opposed a

united GermanyPrussia stepped forwardZollverein: economic union

◦Eliminated tariff barriers among German states

Still politically fragmented

Otto von BismarckPrussian 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 PowerRecognized importance of strong

militaryWanted more money spent on

militaryParliament 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 willPowerful manipulatorMaster of “Realpolitik” – politics

of realityPolitics 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 & HolsteinAustro-Prussian WarFranco-Prussian War

1864: Schleswig & HolsteinAllied w/ AustriaSeized Schleswig & Holstein

from DenmarkSplit:

◦Austria – controlled Holstein◦Prussia – controlled Schleswig

1866: Austro-Prussian WarBismarck invented excuse to

attack AustriaLasted 7 weeks Major victory for PrussiaPrussia

◦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 protestedBismarck rallies Germans (all

Germans)

Realpolitik at workHad wars with Austria & other

territories - Prussia easily wonNo harsh terms of peaceAllowed 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

PrussiaPrussia – military

superiorityEasily defeated

France Napoleon III

surrendered (taken captive)

Germany UnifiesJanuary 18,1871German 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 PeacePeace treaty signed May 1871France 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…