I. Building a German Nation Chapter 22 Section 1

I. Initial Steps Toward Unity A. Early 1800s = Napoleon raids German lands Annexed land along the Rhine River for France Dissolved the Holy Roman Empire by forcing the Austrian Emperor to be reduced to a king Organized states into the Rhine Confederation B. First, Napoleon was welcomed in many states…why? Encouraged freeing serfs Made trade easier between nations Abolished laws against Jews C. Many Germans fought against French rule Wanted a Unified German State

II. Napoleon is Defeated A. German defeat of Napoleon did not resolve many issues At Congress of Vienna, Metternich pointed out that a United Germany would require dismantling smaller German states So, the German Confederation was created Weak alliance, headed by Austria

III. Economic Changes Promote Unity A. 1830s = Prussia creates an economic union called Zollverein Removed tariffs between German states Germany was still politically divided B. 1848 = liberals in Frankfurt demand political unity of Germany Offered the “Throne of Germany” to Frederick William IV of Prussia who rejects their offer

Otto von Bismarck Prussian Eventually Dismissed by the Kaiser!

IV. Bismarck Unites Germany A. Otto von Bismarck = was a conservative landowner in Prussia Served as a diplomat in Russia and France 1862 = King William I made him Prime Minister Soon he became Chancellor (highest official in the monarch of Prussia) Used policy of “blood and iron” to united German states under Prussian rule

esteem all over the world, and inspire us to noble deeds all our life. - German women, German faithfulness, german wine and German songs! Unity and justice and freedom for the German fatherland; This let us all pursue, brotherly with heart and hand. are the pledge of happiness. Flourish in this blessing's glory, flourish, German fatherland. Germany, Germany above all, above anything in the world, if it always holds together brotherly for protection and defense. From the Meuse to the Neman, from the Adige to the Belt, above anything in the world. German women, German faithfulness, German wine and German songs should continue to be held in high

V. Realpolitik A. Realpolitik = realistic politics based on the needs of the state Power was important than principles B. Bismarck’s loyalty was not to Germany, but to the Hohenzollerns = the ruling dynasty in the Prussian monarch He wanted German unity to bring Prussia more power

VI. Strengthening the Army A. Bismarck strengthened the army in Prussia using money set aside for other purposes B. Used army to pursue an aggressive foreign policy Led Prussia into three wars in 10 years Increase in Prussian power paved the way for German Unification

VII. Prussia Declares War on Denmark and Austria A. 1864 = Bismarck forms alliance with Austria B. Prussia and Austria then seize provinces in Denmark and divide the land they conquered C. 1866 = Bismarck invents an excuse to attack Austria Prussia defeats Austria in 7 weeks and seizes more territory, annexing North German states

VIII. France Declares War on Prussia A. Prussian victory over Austria angered Napoleon III B. Led to the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 C. Bismarck portrayed the French as a menace to enhance nationalism in Germany D. Napoleon declares war on Prussia and is defeated in a matter of weeks

VIII. Birth of a German Empire A. Victories over France prompted princes from the Southern and Northern German Confederations to persuade William I to become Kaiser (emperor) of Germany B. 1871 = German nationalists celebrated the birth of the 2nd Reich or empire Considered it to be heir to the Holy Roman Empire