Unification of Germany

INFLUENCES ON GERMAN UNIFICATION: Napoleon I abolishes 300-state H.R.E.; sets up Confederation of the Rhine of 39 states Congress of Vienna / Metternich reorganize states into the German Confederation of 38 states led by Austria, causing resentment by Prussia Prussia’s free trade union, the Zollverein, led by Junker class; excludes Austria as member

conservative Junker is chosen prime minister by OTTO VON BISMARCK (1861 – 1890) conservative Junker is chosen prime minister by Prussian Hohenzollern king, Wilhelm I practices Realpolitik [realism: Do what is necessary, not what is right or moral] to increase Prussian military strength and to reduce or eliminate Austrian influence

3. uses and “blood and iron” tactics, earning him the nickname, the “Iron Chancellor” (German prime minister)

The Danish War – 1864 1). Prussia / Austria defeat Denmark to prevent annexation of Schleswig and Holstein; each administers one of the two

2). Prussia accuses Austria of mistreating Germans in Schleswig; a reason for “blood and iron” tactics by Bismarck to unify the German people 3). Bismarck persuades French emperor, Napoleon III, to stay out of any possible conflict by promising him French control of four southern, Catholic German states; Bismarck gets this promise for the territory in writing from Napoleon III

4 southern, Catholic German states

The Austro-Prussian War (or the 7 Weeks’ War) – 1866 1). Austria no match for Prussian military strength 2). Bismarck forms the North German Confederation without Austrian interference; the only German states not included are the four southern, Catholic territories secretly promised by Bismarck and demanded by Napoleon III for staying out of the Seven-Weeks War; one war left to unify the German people under one empire and one emperor, Wilhelm I

1). The Spanish throne becomes vacant and it is c. The Franco-Prussian War – 1870 1). The Spanish throne becomes vacant and it is likely to be inherited by a Hohenzollern prince; Napoleon III becomes anxious and sends a telegram to Wilhelm I to discuss “problem” 2). Bismarck receives this “Ems” dispatch from Napoleon III; Bismarck alters telegram wording, releases it to the press, insulting Napoleon III who declares war on Prussia to save face

The Giant German Ogre according to the French 3). Bismarck shows the four southern, Catholic German states Napoleon III’s written demand; they join with the rest of Germany to defeat France for the sake of nationalism; all German states are now united The Giant German Ogre according to the French

4). Prussia wins France’s iron & coal-rich territories of Alsace & Lorraine

5). Kaiser Wilhelm I announces the establishment of the 2nd Reich (Hohenzollern reign) [1st Reich being the H. R. E.] of the newly formed German Empire in 1871 at the French Palace of Versailles naming Berlin, Germany as its capital

“between Berlin and Rome” CHANCELLOR BISMARCK’S GOALS AFTER UNIFICATION: to prevent future wars for Germany so he forms the Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary (the Dual Monarchy), and Italy to isolate France to encourage nationalism among all Germans, Bismarck begins an unsuccessful 10-year kulturkampf (cultural struggle) against the German Catholic Church “between Berlin and Rome”

to prevent parliamentary democracy by protecting the Hohenzollern monarchy; leads to development of the Social Democratic Party in Germany BISMARCK IS FORCED TO RESIGN IN 1890: by new Kaiser, Wilhelm II, a practitioner of militarism (glorification of war) because Bismarck only wants peace for Germany but “Kaiser Bill” builds Germany into a major industrial / military European giant, leading to direct conflict with Britain and with France leading to World War I: 1914 - 1918