GERMANY: REASONS FOR GERMAN UNIFICATION Flashcards
(12 cards)
ROLE OF OTTO VON BISMARCK background
After being elected as minister president of Prussia, Bismarck gained support and funding to create a stronger Prussian army which stopped King Wilhelm from abdicating
As minister president of Prussia, Bismarck was involved with a range of wars, including wars with Denmark, Austria and France
ROLE OF OTTO VON BISMARCK for and against
Many argue that Bismarck was the main reason that unification occurs, they believe that Bismarck engineered a series of situations which improved Prussia’s position and made unification inevitable
Others believe Bismarck’s role was greatly exaggerated, arguing that he simply responded to situations well rather than create them
PRUSSIAN MILITARY STRENGTH - background
Bismarck wanted to build a stronger army but was blocked by the Prussian Landtag (parliament) so he raised taxes and took them to make army reforms
After Denmark’s control of Schleswig and Holstein in 1863, Prussia persuaded Austria to support them against the Danes and winning, then isolated Austria from Holstein which resulted in the 7 weeks war
PRUSSIAN MILITARY STRENGTH - background
Bismarck wanted to build a stronger army but was blocked by the Prussian Landtag (parliament) so he raised taxes and took them to make army reforms
After Denmark’s control of Schleswig and Holstein in 1863, Prussia persuaded Austria to support them against the Danes and winning, then isolated Austria from Holstein which resulted in the 7 weeks war
PRUSSIAN MILITARY STRENGTH for and against
Even though many in the Prussian Landtag opposed military changes but could not act against it due to the strength of the military
Bismarck’s 1862 “Blood and Iron” speech argued Prussia needed a strong military to unite with Germany, showing the military on its own was not strong enough
PRUSSIAN ECONOMIC STRENGTH - background
During the 1850s, the Prussian economy grew significantly as Prussia gained more access to natural resources such as the Rhine
From 1850-1870, 13020 kilometres of railway was added in Prussia, showing economic growth and helping trade/transport
PRUSSIAN ECONOMIC STRENGTH - for and against
Due to the Zollverein, the smaller German states economies were tied to Prussia which increased reliance on Prussia
Bismarck’s role here was minimal, the strength of the economy was due to the Zollverein before his time in office
DECLINE OF AUSTRIA - background
Russia and Austria were once strong allies, Russia helped Austria overcome the 1848-49 revolutions
During the 1850s Crimean War, Russia expected Austria support, Austria refused which destroyed the relationship between the two powerhouses
DECLINE OF AUSTRIA - for and against
If Russia backed Austria, it was likely Bismarck would provoke war
Bismarck benefitted from the Zollverein and Austria refusing to support Russia, Bismarck also allowed Russia access to Prussian land during a battle with Polish forces
ATTITUDE OF OTHER STATES - background
After the Austria-Prussian War, close links had been achieved by all states, and North German Confederation was formed whilst southern states entered military alliances with Prussia
Other European (Italy and France) countries had fears about a dominant and united Germany, Bismarck was able to win support by offering deals such as land
ATTITUDE OF OTHER STATES for and against
North and Southern Confederations would only unify in the event of attack: Napoleon III’s attack gave that reason. France’s actions also reminded people of the Napoleonic Wars which further pushed unification forward.
Bismarck also helped prevent other European countries from starting wars with Prussia or supporting its enemies. Bismarck was able to wait until he wished to fight, as with France.
