German UnificationGerman Unification

Global History II Chapter 23Global History II Chapter 23

1848 Revolutions Follow 1848 Revolutions Follow Napoleon’s Path of Napoleon’s Path of

ConquestConquest

Europe 1848

Europe 2006Europe 2006

Germany: 1815Germany: 1815

● Creation of the German Confederation under the presidency of Austria. Prussia and Austria were the two most powerful German states. Traditionally Austria was recognized as the most important. There was a strong popular movement for unification but neither Austria nor Prussia was prepared to allow it happen.

Otto Von Bismarck: Otto Von Bismarck: “The Iron Chancellor”“The Iron Chancellor”

1815-18981815-1898

RealpolitikRealpolitik

Realistic Politics based on the Realistic Politics based on the needs of the stateneeds of the state– Whatever actions necessary to achieve his desired goals.Whatever actions necessary to achieve his desired goals.

Power more important than Power more important than principlesprinciples

““Blood and Iron” PhilosophyBlood and Iron” Philosophy– He wanted to eliminate Austrian influence and bring about He wanted to eliminate Austrian influence and bring about

unification on Prussian terms. unification on Prussian terms. – Expand Germany’s Economy and Industrial base with use of its Expand Germany’s Economy and Industrial base with use of its

resources.resources.– Do not make the same mistakes that were made by the French Do not make the same mistakes that were made by the French

in 1848-1849.in 1848-1849.

3 Wars for Unification3 Wars for Unification

11stst: An Austrian-Prussian invasion of : An Austrian-Prussian invasion of Schleswig-HolsteinSchleswig-Holstein led to the end of led to the end of Danish control of these provinces. Prussia gained a lot of support especially Danish control of these provinces. Prussia gained a lot of support especially among German nationalists who wanted to see these provinces come under among German nationalists who wanted to see these provinces come under German control. German control.

22ndnd: : Austro-Prussian War results in Prussian control (Annexes) of several Austro-Prussian War results in Prussian control (Annexes) of several northern German states. northern German states. – Dissolved the old confederation and establishes a new one dominated by Dissolved the old confederation and establishes a new one dominated by

PrussiaPrussia– Southern states were left independent, form military alliances with Southern states were left independent, form military alliances with

PrussiaPrussia

33rdrd: : Franco-Prussian WarFranco-Prussian War results in the completion of German Unificationresults in the completion of German Unification

– William I of Prussia assumes the role of William I of Prussia assumes the role of KaiserKaiser, or emperor of Germany, , or emperor of Germany, with Otto Von Bismarck as Chancellor.with Otto Von Bismarck as Chancellor.

Germany 1871Germany 1871● The new German Empire emerged as Europe’s foremost military power. Prussia dominated this new German state.

Meeting at VersaillesMeeting at Versailles

United German StatesUnited German States

Prussia dominated the new Germany that Prussia dominated the new Germany that was called the was called the Second ReichSecond Reich. .

The new constitution drawn up by Bismarck The new constitution drawn up by Bismarck was a Federal system. was a Federal system.

Each of the twenty-five states had Each of the twenty-five states had considerable control over their affairs and considerable control over their affairs and decided their own form of government; e.g. decided their own form of government; e.g. Bavaria and Saxony were ruled by kings.Bavaria and Saxony were ruled by kings.

Under the constitution there were to be Under the constitution there were to be threethree branches of the Federal government: branches of the Federal government:

The PresidencyThe Presidency

The PresidencyThe Presidency which was held by which was held by the the King of PrussiaKing of Prussia (as German (as German Emperor). The German Emperor had Emperor). The German Emperor had considerable powers. He had personal considerable powers. He had personal control of the armed forces. control of the armed forces. He He appointed and dismissed all appointed and dismissed all ministers including the Chancellorministers including the Chancellor. .

The Federal CouncilThe Federal Council

The The Federal CouncilFederal Council (or (or BundesratBundesrat) ) represented the different states of the represented the different states of the Empire. It had fifty-eight members. Empire. It had fifty-eight members. Seventeen were from Prussia, six from Seventeen were from Prussia, six from Bavaria, four from Saxony. It had the Bavaria, four from Saxony. It had the power to change the constitution. power to change the constitution. However no change could be made to However no change could be made to the constitution if fourteen delegates the constitution if fourteen delegates objected. This in practice meant that objected. This in practice meant that Prussia could always stop change. Prussia could always stop change.

The ParliamentThe Parliament

The The ParliamentParliament or or ReichstagReichstag was elected by was elected by Universal Male SuffrageUniversal Male Suffrage (all males over 25 could (all males over 25 could vote) and vote) and Secret BallotSecret Ballot. It voted on the Federal . It voted on the Federal budget and its consent was needed for all legislation. budget and its consent was needed for all legislation. This was the most advanced system in Europe at this This was the most advanced system in Europe at this time. time.

However, the powers of the Reichstag were limited: However, the powers of the Reichstag were limited: – It could not initiate legislation. It could not initiate legislation. – It had no say in the appointment or dismissal of the It had no say in the appointment or dismissal of the

Chancellor or Imperial ministers. The Imperial Chancellor Chancellor or Imperial ministers. The Imperial Chancellor was appointed by the Emperor. was appointed by the Emperor. He was in charge of He was in charge of foreign policy.foreign policy.

– The Kaiser (The Kaiser (in effect Bismarckin effect Bismarck) could dissolve it any ) could dissolve it any time with the agreement of the Bundesrat. time with the agreement of the Bundesrat.

Campaign Against the Campaign Against the ChurchChurch

Bismarck Distrusts Catholics-especially clergy-thought loyalty was with Pope and not Germany

He Launches Kulturkampf or “battle for civilization”– Laws passed to make Catholics put loyalty of state above loyalty

to Church– Other laws would close religious orders, expel Jesuits, marriage

by civil authority Plan BACKFIRES-faithful rally behind Church

– Bismarck makes peace with the Church

Campaign Against the Campaign Against the SocialistsSocialists

Threat-Growing power of Socialism (Social Democratic Party)Threat-Growing power of Socialism (Social Democratic Party)– Parliamentary democracyParliamentary democracy– Laws to improve conditions for the working classLaws to improve conditions for the working class

Bismarck dissolves the Party, shuts down newspapers, bans Bismarck dissolves the Party, shuts down newspapers, bans meetingsmeetings

Plan BACKFIRES againPlan BACKFIRES again– To make amends, he sponsors laws to protect workersTo make amends, he sponsors laws to protect workers– Health, accident, old-age insurance, and retirement benefitsHealth, accident, old-age insurance, and retirement benefits– Bismarck avoids revolution!!!Bismarck avoids revolution!!!

Proves Proves Realpolitik Realpolitik DOES have a “social reform” elementDOES have a “social reform” element

Bismarck’s Foreign Bismarck’s Foreign AlliancesAlliances

Three Emperors LeagueThree Emperors League– 1872 Alliance between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary. 1872 Alliance between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary.

Goal of isolating France, who was still upset over the loss of Alsace-Goal of isolating France, who was still upset over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine and Revanche to Germany Lorraine and Revanche to Germany

Triple AllianceTriple Alliance– 1882 When the French occupied Tunisia, Bismarck took 1882 When the French occupied Tunisia, Bismarck took

advantage of Italian resentment towards France and created the advantage of Italian resentment towards France and created the Triple AllianceTriple Alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria- Hungary between Germany, Italy and Austria- Hungary

In exchange for Italy's agreement to stay neutral if war broke out In exchange for Italy's agreement to stay neutral if war broke out between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary would protect Italy from France. would protect Italy from France.

Reinsurance TreatyReinsurance Treaty– 1887 Russia and Austria-Hungary grew suspicious of each other 1887 Russia and Austria-Hungary grew suspicious of each other

over conflicts in the Balkans over conflicts in the Balkans Bismarck repaired the damage to his alliances with a Bismarck repaired the damage to his alliances with a Reinsurance Reinsurance

TreatyTreaty with Russia, allowing both powers to stay neutral if the other with Russia, allowing both powers to stay neutral if the other was at war.was at war.

Kaiser William IIKaiser William II

Succeeds his Grandfather in Succeeds his Grandfather in 18881888

Dismisses Bismarck in 1890Dismisses Bismarck in 1890 He would continue some He would continue some social social

welfarewelfare programs such as programs such as cheap transportation, cheap transportation, electricity, and public schoolingelectricity, and public schooling

His main efforts, however, His main efforts, however, were spent improving the were spent improving the German Navy and building an German Navy and building an impressive overseas empire impressive overseas empire through aggressive militarism through aggressive militarism rivaling Britain and Francerivaling Britain and France

Bismarck’s alliances would fall Bismarck’s alliances would fall by the wayside and the French by the wayside and the French would take advantage, would take advantage, eventually forming the eventually forming the Triple Triple EntenteEntente with Britain and Russia with Britain and Russia

World War I AlliancesWorld War I Alliances