The Unification of Germany Section 16.2 

Davonta Anderson, Matthew McGlothan, Brittany Young

The Zollervein The number one step in German unification involved the economy.     - trades between states were costly because tariffs imposed by Germans    Junkers: a class of aristocratic landowners      - they complained that tariffs were hurting sales of farm   products and campaigned for freer movements of goods by coming together with the tradespeople, intellectuals, financiers, and manufactuers      - persuaded the King of Prussia to abolish tarrifs within his territories in 1818 

The Zollervein continued...Zollverein: German states that agreed to treaties that resulted in a custom union in 1834    - this included most of the German states except for Austria    - The Zollervein made lower prices & more uniform    - The states adopted uniform systems of weights, measures, & currency & manufactuers produced and sold more goods which helped the German economy move toward unification

Bismarck and Prussian StrengthWilliam I became King of Prussia and the following year of his rule he appointed Otto von Bismarck to head the Prussian cabinet.      - Bismarck opposed democracy, opposed the idea of parliament and believed the state should hold authority.       - Bismarck also believed that Prussia had the destiny to lead the German citizans to unification      - William & Bismarck had opposition from the Prussian parliament so when they rejected the idea for money for a military buildup Bismarck collected taxes without their approval       - His constant ingnorance toward the constitution outraged the liberals.

William I and Otto von BismarckTo the top left is a picture of Otto von Bismarck. This is William I below.

The Wars of Unification

To increase the power and size of Prussia Bismarck had to accomplish some objectives and he did this in only three wars. These wars were: The Denmark War,        The Seven Weeks War              &The Franco-Prussian War

The Wars of Unification: The Denmark War

There were two small states on the border between Denmark & Germany : the duchies of Schleswig & Holstein   - The Danish king ruled both duchies even though their constitutions made them separate from Denmark    - King Christian IX: took Danish throne in 1863; he proclaimed a new constitution in which trying to annex Schleswig for Denmark    

The Wars of Unification: The Denmark War continued . . . .

- Prussia & Austria disliked this new Danish constitution & wanted it revoked     - Denmark refused to revoke it so Prussia & Austria declared war on Denmark. After 3 months Denmark surrendered.

The Wars of Unification: The Denmark War continued.....

A peace treaty gave the two duchies to Prussia & Austria both   - this made conflicts between the two countries   - yet in the end Prussian & Austrian leaders decided that Prussia would control Schleswig & Austria control Holstein

The Wars of Unification:The Seven Weeks' War

Bismark prepared for conflict with Austria as Prussian influence expanded.   - Bismarck pursuaded Napoleon to be neutral then formed an alliance with the new nation of Italy; he finally provoked Austria into declaring war over the ongoing Schleswig & Holstein dispute     - Prussian forces took advantage of the technology they had and defeated the Austrians in only seven weeks.

The Wars of Unification:The Seven Weeks' War continued....

 Treaty of Prague: ended the Seven Weeks' War     - the German confederation was dissolved under the terms of this treaty

The Wars of Unification: The Franco - Prussian War

Bismarck had to persuade the independent states in southern Germany to join the North German Confederation     - Bismarck had gotten a telegram from King William & he altered the words so it would sound as if the King insulted the French ambassador     - This telegram upset the French to where they declared war on Prussia     - No one came to help the French so the Franco-Prussian War was short yet decisive      - Napoleon III surrendered in september& his gov. fell

Formation of the German Empire

The German states met in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles near Paris in 1871.    - they declared the formation of the German Empire (included all German states except for Austria)    - Berlin became the empire's capital    - William I became German Emperor and Bismarck became chancellor, cheif minister, of the empireBismarck accepted a constitution

Formation of the German Empire continued ...

Bismarck accepted a constitution that united the 25 German states in a federal gov.    - each state had its own: ruler & right to handle domsetic       matters; some southern states had special rights     - the gov. controlled all common matters (national       defense, foreign affairs, and common matters)    - kaiser: the emperor that headed the government           * held tremendous power           * appointed the chancellor & commanded the military              in times of war           * could declare a defensive/offensive war with              legislative approval

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch consisted of two houses    - Bundesrat: upper house; federal council made up of 58       appointed members     - Reichstag: lower house (legislative assembly); consisted       of 400 members elected by universal male suffarage A representative body (Reichstag) had limited powers. They could only approve military budgets every 7 years and saw bills that the Bundesrat already approved. So these limitations made it impossible for the Reichstag to effect a liberal or democratic change not supported by the kaiser or Bundesrat.

Last Minute Details....XP

The King of Prussia was kasier of Germany. Prussia had the most delegates in the Bundesrat that were appointed by Prussia's state government.  As the most populous state, it also had the most representation in the Reichstag. 

Yay, This Presentation Is Over With!!!

Hopefully you have retained some kind of information from this loonng, yet wonderful

presentation. Thnks 4 listening!