German Unification

Question 1

Describe the political entities in German-speaking Central Europe before 1806

Answer 1

More than 300 political entities, parts of Holy Roman Empire or Habsburg, independent and nominally under HRE

These entities included various principalities, duchies, and free cities.

Question 2

Define the governance of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE)

Answer 2

Varied governance, included free imperial cities, ecclesiastical territories, dynastic states

The governance structure was complex and decentralized.

Question 3

Explain the status of the HRE before 1806

Answer 3

Neither holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire, included over 1,000 entities

This reflects the fragmentation and lack of central authority in the HRE.

Question 4

How was the HRE ruled before 1000 AD?

Answer 4

Ruled by German kings

Question 5

What significant change occurred in the HRE in 1356?

Answer 5

Became an elective monarchy

Question 6

Describe the role of the Austrian Habsburgs in the 15th century

Answer 6

Monopolised the throne, initiated constitutional reforms

Question 7

What was the Thirty Years’ War?

Answer 7

Fought between anti-Habsburg states, led to over 8M fatalities

Question 8

What was the Treaty of Westphalia?

Answer 8

Signed in 1648, confirmed territorial sovereignty of countries

Question 9

List the outcomes for countries after the Treaty of Westphalia

Answer 9

Netherlands and Switzerland became independent, France increased power

Question 10

What was the impact of the Thirty Years’ War on the HRE?

Answer 10

Left the HRE or German Empire a shadow of itself

Question 11

Who were the guarantors of the Peace in the Treaty of Westphalia?

Answer 11

France and Sweden

Question 12

Describe the significance of the Peace of Westphalia.

Answer 12

Established national self-determination, set precedent for diplomatic peace, foundation of modern state system, articulated territorial sovereignty, balance of power

Question 13

Explain the outcome of the War of the Second Coalition.

Answer 13

Defeat of imperial and allied forces of HRE, Britain, and others

Question 14

Define the Treaty of Amiens and Lunéville.

Answer 14

Recognized the French Republic

Question 15

What was the German Mediatization or The Final Recess?

Answer 15

Major territorial restructuring of 1803, decreased number of states from 300 to 39

Question 16

How did the Final Recess affect ecclesiastical principalities?

Answer 16

Absorbed into German states

Question 17

Describe the impact of the Final Recess on the German Catholic Church.

Answer 17

Secularized, lost constitutional role in politics

Question 18

Explain the role of Napoleon in the reorganization of German states.

Answer 18

Brought about shared history, identification of ‘Germany’ as a state

Question 19

What was the effect of a common language in the German states?

Answer 19

Unified identity, minimal political influence

Question 20

How did the invasion of Russia by Napoleon affect Germany?

Answer 20

Destroyed nearly 125,000 troops, encouraged anti-Napoleonic sentiment

Question 21

Describe the outcome of the Battle of Leipzig in 1813.

Answer 21

Decisive victory for Austria, Prussia, Russia, Saxony, and Sweden

Question 22

What was the significance of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815?

Answer 22

Defeated Napoleon, ended French control in Europe

Question 23

Describe the Congress of Vienna.

Answer 23

Meeting of ambassadors, chaired by Klemens von Metternich, 1814-1815, dominated by four Great Powers

Question 24

What was the objective of the Congress of Vienna?

Answer 24

Provide long-term peace, resize major powers, restore pre-Napoleonic boundaries

Question 25

Explain the reorganization of Europe by the Congress of Vienna.

Answer 25

Created spheres of influence, suppressed national aspirations, criticized for reactionary movement

Question 26

How did the Congress of Vienna impact European international politics?

Answer 26

Set framework for Concert of Europe until WWI in 1914

Question 27

Define the Concert of Europe.

Answer 27

European balance of powers, established by Congress of Vienna, lasted until 1914

Question 28

What interrupted the Concert of Europe?

Answer 28

Revolutions of 1848, restoration by Otto von Bismarck

Question 29

Describe the German Confederation formed after the Congress of Vienna.

Answer 29

Included 39 states, led by Prussia and Austria, weakened by internal rivalry

Question 30

What was the Federal Diet?

Answer 30

Legislature called the Bundestag, met in Frankfurt

Question 31

Explain the Carlsbad Decrees of 1819.

Answer 31

Response to revolutionary outrages, aimed to suppress liberal and nationalistic tendencies

Question 32

What were the main points agreed upon in the Carlsbad Decrees?

Answer 32

Bundestag to institute press censorship, disband nationalist clubs, set up investigating commission

Question 33

Describe the Zollverein.

Answer 33

German Customs Union, aimed for economic unification, materialized in 1834

Question 34

What was the initial purpose of the Zollverein?

Answer 34

Create a larger sense of economic unification, started as Prussian customs union in 1818

Question 35

Describe the purpose of the Zollverein.

Answer 35

Reduce protectionist barriers, improve transport of raw materials and finished goods, fluid territorial borders, less cost of buying and selling raw materials

Question 36

Explain Austria's opposition to the Zollverein.

Answer 36

Metternich opposed it, idea proposed by Prussia, Austria had a protected industry

Question 37

Define the significance of the Zollverein.

Answer 37

Groundwork for German unification, brought Prussian economic preeminence, centered thinking on Germany as a whole

Question 38

How did historians view the impact of the Zollverein on independent states?

Answer 38

Claimed increased revenue may have consolidated their position, independent states had fiscal reasons for joining

Question 39

What was the contrary view regarding the Zollverein's support?

Answer 39

1866 showed smaller states joined for fiscal reasons, suspicion towards Prussia, pro-Austrian sentiment

Question 40

Describe the events of the Revolution of 1830 in Germany.

Answer 40

Inspired by successful July Revolution in France, provided nationalistic impulses, rulers compelled to introduce liberal constitutions

Question 41

What was the significance of the Revolution of 1848 in Germany?

Answer 41

It was a series of interconnected revolutionary uprisings that aimed for national unity and liberal reforms.

Question 42

Describe the Frankfurt Assembly of 1848.

Answer 42

It was an attempt to create a unified German state and a constitution, but ultimately failed due to lack of support from the German princes.

Question 43

What was the outcome of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866?

Answer 43

Prussia defeated Austria, leading to the exclusion of Austria from German affairs and the establishment of the North German Confederation.

Question 44

Explain the significance of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).

Answer 44

It united the German states against a common enemy, leading to the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871.

Question 45

What was the role of Otto von Bismarck in German unification?

Answer 45

Bismarck was the key architect of German unification, using diplomacy and war to achieve his goals.