German Unification Global History II Chapter 23

1848 Revolutions Follow Napoleon’s Path of Conquest

Europe 1848

Europe 2006

Germany: 1815 ● Creation of the German Confederation under the presidency of Austria. Prussia and Austria were the two most powerful German states. Traditionally Austria was recognized as the most important. There was a strong popular movement for unification but neither Austria nor Prussia was prepared to allow it happen.

Otto Von Bismarck: “The Iron Chancellor”

Realpolitik Realistic Politics based on the needs of the state Realistic Politics based on the needs of the state –Whatever actions necessary to achieve his desired goals. Power more important than principles Power more important than principles “Blood and Iron” Philosophy “Blood and Iron” Philosophy –He wanted to eliminate Austrian influence and bring about unification on Prussian terms. –Expand Germany’s Economy and Industrial base with use of its resources. –Do not make the same mistakes that were made by the French in

3 Wars for Unification 1 st : An Austrian-Prussian invasion of Schleswig-Holstein led to the end of Danish control of these provinces. Prussia gained a lot of support especially among German nationalists who wanted to see these provinces come under German control. 1 st : An Austrian-Prussian invasion of Schleswig-Holstein led to the end of Danish control of these provinces. Prussia gained a lot of support especially among German nationalists who wanted to see these provinces come under German control. 2 nd : Austro-Prussian War results in Prussian control (Annexes) of several northern German states. 2 nd : Austro-Prussian War results in Prussian control (Annexes) of several northern German states. –Dissolved the old confederation and establishes a new one dominated by Prussia –Southern states were left independent, form military alliances with Prussia 3 rd : Franco-Prussian War results in the completion of German Unification 3 rd : Franco-Prussian War results in the completion of German Unification –William I of Prussia assumes the role of Kaiser, or emperor of Germany, with Otto Von Bismarck as Chancellor.

Germany 1871 ● The new German Empire emerged as Europe’s foremost military power. Prussia dominated this new German state.

Meeting at Versailles

United German States Prussia dominated the new Germany that was called the Second Reich. Prussia dominated the new Germany that was called the Second Reich. The new constitution drawn up by Bismarck was a Federal system. The new constitution drawn up by Bismarck was a Federal system. Each of the twenty-five states had considerable control over their affairs and decided their own form of government; e.g. Bavaria and Saxony were ruled by kings. Each of the twenty-five states had considerable control over their affairs and decided their own form of government; e.g. Bavaria and Saxony were ruled by kings. Under the constitution there were to be three branches of the Federal government: Under the constitution there were to be three branches of the Federal government:

The Presidency The Presidency which was held by the King of Prussia (as German Emperor). The German Emperor had considerable powers. He had personal control of the armed forces. He appointed and dismissed all ministers including the Chancellor. The Presidency which was held by the King of Prussia (as German Emperor). The German Emperor had considerable powers. He had personal control of the armed forces. He appointed and dismissed all ministers including the Chancellor.

The Federal Council The Federal Council (or Bundesrat) represented the different states of the Empire. It had fifty-eight members. Seventeen were from Prussia, six from Bavaria, four from Saxony. It had the power to change the constitution. However no change could be made to the constitution if fourteen delegates objected. This in practice meant that Prussia could always stop change. The Federal Council (or Bundesrat) represented the different states of the Empire. It had fifty-eight members. Seventeen were from Prussia, six from Bavaria, four from Saxony. It had the power to change the constitution. However no change could be made to the constitution if fourteen delegates objected. This in practice meant that Prussia could always stop change.

The Parliament The Parliament or Reichstag was elected by Universal Male Suffrage (all males over 25 could vote) and Secret Ballot. It voted on the Federal budget and its consent was needed for all legislation. This was the most advanced system in Europe at this time. The Parliament or Reichstag was elected by Universal Male Suffrage (all males over 25 could vote) and Secret Ballot. It voted on the Federal budget and its consent was needed for all legislation. This was the most advanced system in Europe at this time. However, the powers of the Reichstag were limited: However, the powers of the Reichstag were limited: –It could not initiate legislation. –It had no say in the appointment or dismissal of the Chancellor or Imperial ministers. The Imperial Chancellor was appointed by the Emperor. He was in charge of foreign policy. –The Kaiser (in effect Bismarck) could dissolve it any time with the agreement of the Bundesrat.

Campaign Against the Church Bismarck Distrusts Catholics-especially clergy-thought loyalty was with Pope and not Germany He Launches Kulturkampf or “battle for civilization” – –Laws passed to make Catholics put loyalty of state above loyalty to Church – –Other laws would close religious orders, expel Jesuits, marriage by civil authority Plan BACKFIRES-faithful rally behind Church – –Bismarck makes peace with the Church

Campaign Against the Socialists Threat-Growing power of Socialism (Social Democratic Party) Threat-Growing power of Socialism (Social Democratic Party) –Parliamentary democracy –Laws to improve conditions for the working class Bismarck dissolves the Party, shuts down newspapers, bans meetings Bismarck dissolves the Party, shuts down newspapers, bans meetings Plan BACKFIRES again Plan BACKFIRES again –To make amends, he sponsors laws to protect workers –Health, accident, old-age insurance, and retirement benefits –Bismarck avoids revolution!!! Proves Realpolitik DOES have a “social reform” element Proves Realpolitik DOES have a “social reform” element

Bismarck’s Foreign Alliances Three Emperors League Three Emperors League –1872 Alliance between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary. Goal of isolating France, who was still upset over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine and Revanche to Germany Goal of isolating France, who was still upset over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine and Revanche to Germany Triple Alliance Triple Alliance –1882 When the French occupied Tunisia, Bismarck took advantage of Italian resentment towards France and created the Triple Alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria- Hungary Triple AllianceTriple Alliance In exchange for Italy's agreement to stay neutral if war broke out between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary would protect Italy from France. In exchange for Italy's agreement to stay neutral if war broke out between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary would protect Italy from France. Reinsurance Treaty Reinsurance Treaty –1887 Russia and Austria-Hungary grew suspicious of each other over conflicts in the Balkans Bismarck repaired the damage to his alliances with a Reinsurance Treaty with Russia, allowing both powers to stay neutral if the other was at war. Bismarck repaired the damage to his alliances with a Reinsurance Treaty with Russia, allowing both powers to stay neutral if the other was at war.

Kaiser William II Succeeds his Grandfather in 1888 Succeeds his Grandfather in 1888 Dismisses Bismarck in 1890 Dismisses Bismarck in 1890 He would continue some social welfare programs such as cheap transportation, electricity, and public schooling He would continue some social welfare programs such as cheap transportation, electricity, and public schooling His main efforts, however, were spent improving the German Navy and building an impressive overseas empire through aggressive militarism rivaling Britain and France His main efforts, however, were spent improving the German Navy and building an impressive overseas empire through aggressive militarism rivaling Britain and France Bismarck’s alliances would fall by the wayside and the French would take advantage, eventually forming the Triple Entente with Britain and Russia Bismarck’s alliances would fall by the wayside and the French would take advantage, eventually forming the Triple Entente with Britain and Russia

World War I Alliances