Building a German Nation Nationalism PPT #1 Building a German Nation Taking Initial Steps Toward Unity 1806 to 1812 – Napoleon dissolved Holy Roman Empire German speaking people wanted their own unified nation
Congress of Vienna creates German Confederation = weak alliance headed by Austria 1839 – free trade amongst German States = improves economy
Otto von Bismarck - Diplomat from Junker class = Prussian landowning noble 1862 – King William I (Prussia) makes him Prime Minister Bismarck then becomes Chancellor = highest official of monarch Used policy of “blood and iron” to unite German States under Prussian rule
Bismarck had a strong will Master of REALPOLITIK = realistic politics based on the needs of the state. Architect of German Unity – but – not a German nationalist Wanted unification to bring power to Prussian Hohenzollerns
Created new confederation dominated by Prussia Increased power of the military Forcefully annexed northern German States Created new confederation dominated by Prussia Austria remains independent = no war that way
France Declares War on Prussia Prussian victory over Austria angered Napoleon III of France Led to Franco-Prussian War of 1870 Superior Prussian military with German support crushed French = humiliating peace for France (some of this anger plays a role in WWI)
France Declares War on Prussia Delighted by Victory over France Princes from southern German States & North German Confederation: Persuade William I of Prussia to become Kaiser Kaiser = Emperor
Birth of a German Empire January 1871 = birth of the Second Reich (Empire) - second because The Holy Roman Empire was considered the first Reich
Second Reich Constitution set up two-house legislature Reichstag = lower house = elected by male suffrage Bundesrat = upper house = appointed by rulers of German states Bundesrat could veto Reichstag = power remained in hands of Emperor & Chancellor (Germany has the Bundesrat and Bundestag today – a bicameral, parliament, Chancellor & President) Bundesrat Logo Reichstag Logo