 Nationalism Challenges Conservative Power

 Greeks- 1 st to win self-rule Former part of Ottoman Empire (which was crumbling at this time, but not fully until 1918)  Cause of Greek independence was popular throughout Europe  Major powers such as Britain/Russia/France recognize an independent Greece in 1830.

 There were ethnic uprisings in: France Prussia (Germany, Austria) Italy Greece Poland Hungary  But revolutionaries failed to unite the nations, so they actually took a step backwards.

 1800’s still under feudalism- no industrialization  Due to old ways, Russia was falling behind other European countries  Alexander II- freed serfs, 1861  Nationalism encouraged industrialism, and also ethic groups wanting their own nations.

 Austria- lost the Austro-Prussian war in 1866; split Austria and Hungary into independent states= Austro-Hungarian Empire  Russia- Russification- forced culture on all ethic groups  Ottoman- Turks felt superior to other ethnic groups; genocide against Armenians ; 1915

 King wants absolute power  Revolt of people  Liberal King replaces old one  A Paris mob overthrows gov’t replaces it with a representative government- it falls apart  Call for a president  Louis-Napoleon III elected president- Nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. Four years later- becomes emperor Good leader

 Camillo Cavour – Prime minister of Sardinia Allied with Napoleon III, brought revolution and unity in N. Italy  Giuseppe Garibaldi – unified S. Italy  Cavour invaded Papal states, so S. voted to unite w/Cavour and N. Italy  National unification of Italy, but still culturally, economically divided  Capital = Rome

 German Confederation – loose union of German states; Prussia – largest; Austria – head of confederation  Otto von Bismarck- Prussia’s Prime Minister Realpolitik – seek advantage for nation-state by any means, including war and breaking treaties Wanted to go to war to unify Germany under Prussian rule

7 Weeks War – Bismarck & Prussia against Austria.  Treaty ending the war set up a united Germany under Prussian control

Franco-Prussian War – Napoleon III declared war on Prussia. Southern German states (not yet united w/the rest of Germany) sided w/Prussia because disliked France. Defeated France and all German states now unified Following Franco-Prussian War all German States unified. Germany now an Empire w/Kaiser William I emperor

 Made laws against Catholics, only served to strengthen Catholic influence in Germany  Strengthened Industry  Tried to crush opposition parties  Bismarck’s policies left Germany strong, but w/o parliamentary democracy. When William I died, his son succeeded him (William II) and dismissed Bismarck (1890)

 Balance of Power- Undone Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia no longer equal Britain and Prussia = strongest France = middle Austria and Russia = weak

 1. Which aging empires suffered from the forces of nationalism?  2. What advantages did Prussia have in leading the German states to unity?  3. How can nationalism be both a unifying and a disunifying force?