Blood & Iron: The Unification of Germany

KEY TERMS Sovereignty Blood and Iron Machiavellian Militarism Balance of Power Metternich Age Reactionary Legitimacy

Metternich Age & Growth of Nationalism (1815-1871) 5 Major European Powers- After Napoleon’s defeat England, France, Russia, Prussia, Austria Meet at Congress of Vienna – to restore past ways turn back the clock= reactionary CONGRESS OF VIENNA –3 Principles Legitimacy- restoring ruling families back to the thrones prior to FR Balance of Power- no one nation should be strong enough to threaten security Compensation- providing money to one state that lost territory

Aim: How Did Otto Von Bismarck Unite Germany? German Unification

The Germanic Confederation Germany was organized into 38 independent states after the Congress of Vienna Prussia and Austria were the two most powerful states In 1848 the states tried to create a unified Germany, but the attempt failed

Blood & Iron Germans looked to the Prussian state to take a leadership role in another attempt to unify Germany King William I appoints Count Otto von Bismarck his prime minister

Blood & Iron Realpolitik Bismarck practiced the political theory of realpolitik Realpolitik  “practical politics;” don’t base decisions of ethics, but what is necessary

Blood & Iron Blood & Iron “The great questions of the day are decided…by blood and iron” Bismarck wanted to unite German through force Raised taxes to build up the military Militarism  build up of a nation’s military Bismarck did not have German nationalism, but wanted to increase the power of Prussia

Blood & Iron 3 wars in 7 years Danish War  Prussia allied with Austria to seize land from Denmark Austro-Prussian War  Prussia waged war against Austria to gain further territory Franco-Prussian War  Prussia starts a war with France to gain the territories of Lorraine and Alsace

Austro-Prussian War

The Second German Empire King William is proclaimed kaiser Kaiser  emperor Like Napoleon did in France, William creates a German empire reminiscent to the Holy Roman Emperor Germany becomes the strongest industrial power in Europe This is a major underlying cause to WWI

Franco Prussian War

III. German Empire Kaiser Wilhelm I 1871 Second Reich (Empire) 2 House Legislature Bundesrat (Upper) Reichstag (Lower)