UNIFICATION OF GERMANY Flashcards
(13 cards)
AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN WAR
1865-66: Bismarck recieved a guarantee of neutrality + made a secret agreement with Italy.
Italy would also attack Austria and fight the war on two fronts and not receive help from France.
The Treaty of Prague led to a complete eradication of Austrian influence in Germany.
EMS TELEGRAM
Prince Leopold was offered the vacant crown of Spain.
The French government protested and hinted to the fact hat they might declare war if Leo was declared king.
Leo withdrew and Napoleon asked his ambassador of Prussia, Count Vincent Bendetti, to relay the message to Wilhem I.
Bendetti met Wilhem in resort town of Ems and delivered the message.
Wilhem refused to offer the guarantee.
Telegram describing the incident was sent to Bismarck and edited to make it seem as if they had insulted eachother.
The telegram was tublished in the newspapers the same day.
French nationalists demanded revenge. July 19 1870 decleration of war by the French parliament
1870-71 FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR
France, Prussia and North German confederation were all raising armies by large numbers due to conscription. The victory for Germany led to the formation of the German empire and the defeat in France led to a revolution causing the overthrow of Napoleon III and the establishment of the 3rd republic
FORMATION OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE 1871
(POLITICAL)
•Wilhelm I crowned Kaiser.
•Constitution established a federal monarchy.
•25 states, each with local govt.
•Kaiser controlled military/foreign policy.
•Chancellor (Bismarck) accountable only to Kaiser.
•Bundesrat (upper house) represented states.
•Reichstag (elected lower house) had limited power
FORMATION OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE 1871
(ECONOMICAL)
Economic Unification:
•Zollverein: customs union (except Austria).
•Unified currency, postal services, weights/measures.
•Industrialisation—growth in coal, iron, railways.
•Led to large productivity in heavy industry.
FORMATION OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE 1871
(CULTURAL)
Kulturkampf
•Bismarck was backward and wanted greater separation between Church and State.
•Introduced legislation to reduce Catholic Church’s influence, e.g., removing religious instruction in schools.
•The Kulturkampf failed to achieve its aims:
•Pope Leo XIII issued statements condemning the laws.
•Public opinion shifted—laws were rolled back or not enforced.
•Ended up increasing respect and support for the Catholic Church, making it a political misfire.
⸻
Socialism / SPD (Social Democratic Party)
•Bismarck believed Germany’s biggest threat was socialism (particularly the SPD).
•He attempted to pass laws banning the SPD, which mostly failed.
•Instead, Bismarck implemented a social welfare program:
•Aimed to improve worker conditions and gain worker loyalty to the state.
•Tried to reduce SPD’s power and popularity by showing the state could support workers too.
•Effort to reduce socialist appeal among the working class.
•Despite bans, SPD remained active—even printed newspapers outside Germany.
CAUSES OF GROWING NATIONALISM IN 19TH CENTURY GERMANY
(MILITARY/POLITICAL)
Causes of Growing Nationalism in 19th Century Germany
•Before the 19th century, Germany was divided into many independent states and cities.
•Prussia and Austria were the largest states, both economically and militarily powerful.
•1806–1813: Napoleon’s conquest of German states increased the desire for a united Germany (both military and political motivations).
•Early 19th century: The Industrial Revolution in Germany (especially Prussia) made people want a unified economy.
CAUSES OF GROWING NATIONALISM IN 19TH CENTURY GERMANY
(ECONOMIC)
Congress of Vienna (1815)
•Prussia gained the Rhineland, doubling its population.
•Gave access to coal and iron, helping industrialisation and a modernised economy.
•By the 1830s, Germany was the largest economy in Europe.
•Zollverein (1834) – a free trade zone across many German states:
•Gave access to Prussian trade.
•Created more economic unity, leading toward political union.
CAUSES OF GROWING NATIONALISM IN 19TH CENTURY GERMANY
(CULTURAL)
Cultural Development
•German Romanticism and nationalism:
•Artists and writers emphasized cultural identity and shared history.
•Promoted national pride and unity.
•Scholars like the Grimm Brothers studied German language and culture, fostering a cultural nationalism.
FRANKFURT PARLIAMENT (1848-49)
Frankfurt Parliament (1848–49)
•A liberal revolution and the 1848 revolutions pushed for German unification.
•Parliament created to draft a constitution:
•800 deputies, 95% from the middle class.
•Proposed a unified Germany, headed by a Kaiser (emperor).
•Attempted to enshrine political and legal rights.
•Ultimately failed due to lack of power and opposition from monarchs.
BISMARCK NAMED CHANCELLOR
Bismarck Named Chancellor
•Practiced Realpolitik (pragmatic, non-ideological political strategy).
•Focused on practical gains and Prussian power.
•Sought to strengthen Prussia’s position in the German Confederation and Europe generally.
2ND SCHLESWIG WAR (1864)
Second Schleswig War (1864)
•Dispute with Denmark over Schleswig and Holstein.
•Treaty of Vienna: Denmark gave up both duchies.
•Austria and Prussia agreed to joint control, but:
•Prussia took Schleswig.
•Austria got Holstein.
•Used as a pretext for future conflict with Austria:
•Bismarck intentionally created tensions to exploit and escalate the situation.
THE FALL OF BISMARCK
- Personality clash: Wilhelm II ambitious, disliked Bismarck’s style.
- Differing policies: Expansionist vs. balance of power (foreign), anti-socialist laws (social).
- 1890 Elections: Socialists gained, Bismarck wanted force (Kaiser no).
- Resignation: Over lack of consultation with Kaiser.
