The Unification of Germany: Context

Question 1

19th Century Germany

Answer 1

In 1800 “Germany” did not exist - the territories in that area were instead part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Caught up in the French Revolutionary Wars, the Holy Roman Empire was formally dissolved in 1806.

At the Congress of Vienna 1815 - The German Confederation was created. This was a loose association of 39 states with the aim of coordinating the economies of separate German-speaking countries.

Question 1

The German Confederation 1815-67

Answer 1

Acted as a buffer between the
powerful states of Austria and Prussia.

Prussia was the stronger economic
power but Austria was militarily
dominant and seen as the ‘leader’ of
the Confederation.

Britain approved of it because London felt that there was need for a stable, peaceful power in central Europe that could discourage aggressive moves by France or Russia.

Question 2

1848 Revolutions

Answer 2

People rose up all over Germany

Formed a parliament to represent the German people in Frankfurt

But it was crushed by Prussian & Austrian armies

Question 3

1862 – Improvements to the military

Answer 3

Bismarck reorganised the Prussian army and improved training in preparation for war.

In 1864, he constructed an alliance with Austria to fight Denmark over Denmark’s southern provinces of
Schleswig and Holstein.

Prussia received Schleswig while Austria administered Holstein.

Question 4

Prussian Dominance

Answer 4

Prussian Zollverein – Free trade customs union

Prussian industrialisation

1862 – Bismarck became Chancellor

‘Iron and Blood’ speech

Question 5

Bismarck’s War

Answer 5

Strategy = to unify German states through war

Against 3 neighbouring states…

1864 – War v Denmark (with Austrian help) – took Schleswig & Holstein

1866 – War v Austria – Led to Prussia forming the North German
Confederation (p86 Access book)

1870-71 – War v France:
4 Southern states were persuaded to join the rest of the states.
The new united Germany was declared in the Hall of Mirrors in the
Palace of Versailles!

Question 6

Removing the Austrians

Answer 6

Bismarck provoked a conflict with Austria over an unrelated border dispute.

In the subsequent Seven Weeks’ War in 1866 Prussia crushed the collapsing Austrian army.

The peace settlement transferred
Holstein to Prussia and forced Austria to officially remove itself from all German affairs.

This was the end of the German
Confederation. It was temporarily
replaced with a North German
Confederation, dominated by Prussia.