Otto von Bismarck & German Unification German Nationalism Otto von Bismarck & German Unification

Bell Ringer What is nationalism? Discuss with Partner 1 minute

Obstacles to German Unity Austria, France and Russia all feared a unified Germany would be a powerful threat Smaller German states feared a unified Germany would mean Prussian control (this was the same feeling some smaller American colonies experienced after the Revolution!) Catholic German states in the south feared Protestant Lutheran states in the north would dominate

Baby steps towards German Unification Prior to 1800, there were about 250 German kingdoms, states or baronies. When Napoleon conquered Europe, he reduced this number to 100 by combining and/or eliminating many of the German states in order to make the territory easier to rule (Confederation of the Rhine). In 1815, the Congress of Vienna further reduced this number to 38 by creating the German Confederation. Austria was the strongest member of the Confederation (remember, the Austrians share a Germanic culture); Prussia was the second strongest

Austria Must Go! Many German nationalists believed that for a new German Reich (empire) to emerge, Austrian influence must be eliminated and Prussia must take the lead in unification! Why get rid of Austria? The Austrian Empire was not purely German; it contained a huge mix of different ethnicities and nationalities. Plus, Austria would try to dominate German politics

Prussian Leadership Prussia was an authoritarian state. Strong work ethic Very militaristic Strong army Army would carry out the needs of the government

Revolution Hits Germany-1848 Liberals demand reforms such as: A Constitution Workers rights The revolt was suppressed by Fredrick Wilhelm IV – emperor of Prussia 1849 – German Parliament tries to unify German States into one country Offer the crown of the new Germany to Fredrick Wilhelm IV. He turns them down. He believes in the concept of divine right. “I will not accept a crown from the gutter.” German unification put on hold

Otto von Bismarck “The Iron Chancellor” Prussian Junker Junker = conservative noble class 1862 – became Chancellor under King Wilhelm I (a position much like Prime Minister or Secretary of State) His goal? German unification! He would accomplish it in just under 10 years

Bismarck (cont.) “Germany does not look to Prussia’s liberalism, but to her power…The great questions of the day are not to be decided by speeches and majority resolutions – that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849 – but by blood and iron!”

Blood and Iron Discuss with your partner what you think Bismarck meant by Germany’s power will be determined by “blood and iron.” 2 Minutes

Realpolitik Strong will Powerful manipulator Master of “Realpolitik” – politics of reality Politics based on practical matters rather than theory or ethics Often resulted in ruthless decisions (Sound familiar- Machiavelli???) “The ends justify the means.”

REAlpolitik at work Had wars with Denmark and Austria - Prussia easily won No harsh terms of peace in order to prevent feelings of revenge.

Bismarck’s wars War against Denmark (with the help of Austria) Seven Weeks War (against Austria) Franco-Prussian War (against France)

1866: Austro-Prussian War aka- The Seven Weeks War Bismarck invented excuse to attack Austria Lasted 7 weeks Major victory for Prussia Prussia annexed Holstein and several other German states Dissolved Austrian gov’t & replaced with dominant Prussian one

Practical Motives “We had to avoid leaving behind any desire for revenge.” Otto von Bismarck

1870: Franco-Prussian War Growing rivalry between: France (Napoleon III- nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte) Prussia (Wilhelm I & Bismarck) Relative of Wilhelm was offered the Spanish throne France protested Bismarck rallies Germans (all Germans). It becomes “Us against Them”

Ems Dispatch Bismarck rewrote & released in the press a telegram Wilhelm “insulted” French ambassador Napoleon III (France) declared war on Prussia Now France looks like the aggressor nation

“On to Berlin!”…not France attacked Prussia Prussia – military superiority; highly industrialized Spanked France Napoleon III surrendered (taken captive) German army enters Paris

Germany Unifies January 18,1871 German Confederation made official Bismarck + 600 German princes, nobles, and generals gathered at Versailles (Ouch!) Wilhelm I of Prussia proclaimed Kaiser of the Second German Empire

France Pays the Cost of Peace Peace treaty signed May 1871 France paid $1 billion and had to give up the provinces of Alsace & Lorraine For the next 40 years, all that was left were bitter feelings and the desire for revenge… the “Revanche” movement France will have its revenge after World War I

Toward the Unification of Germany, 1740-1871

Europe 1871

Italian unification

Beginnings of Italian Nationalism Italian Peninsula - not unified since fall of Roman Empire Despite common language, most of peninsula divided into competing states with own government

Beginnings (cont.) Napoleon invaded Italy United many states under one gov’t Congress of Vienna - split Italian states Spirit of nationalism began to rise

National Groups Ignored COV had ignored national groups Placed them under control of large empires (sometimes w/ mixed ethnicities) Some states were under Austrian control, while others were under French control

Secret Societies Italian artists, writers, thinkers became interested in celebrating Italy’s cultural traditions Others formed secret societies to work for political change Some even plotted to overthrow the Austrian government in Italy

Mazzini & Young Italy 1831, popular writer, Giuseppe Mazzini, launched a nationalist group called Young Italy to fight for unification of the Italian states Mazzini had been exiled but smuggled patriotic pamphlets into Italy Young Italy attracted tens of thousands of Italians to the cause of unification

The Path Toward Unity As nationalism grew, some Italians led unsuccessful rebellions Then, two men rose to lead a successful movement to unify Italy…

Count Cavour Camilio di Cavour Fought for Sardinia’s independence One of the most important leaders of Italian unification Founded the nationalist newspaper, Il Risorgimento - or “resurgence”

Kingdom of Sardinia 1852, Cavour became Prime Minister Worked toward rebuilding a thriving economy so that Italy could unify (as a monarchy) Cavour aligned Sardinia with France Sardinia supported France in war with Russia & gave them the provinces of Savoy & Nice In turn, France supported Sardinia in its war against Austria - (successful liberation)

Check for Understanding How did Cavour help Sardinia break free from the Austrian Empire? Talk with Partner 30 seconds

Garibaldi & the Red Shirts Many Italians consider Cavour “brain” of Italian unification, Mazzini “heart” Giuseppe Garibaldi has been called “sword” of Italy Garibaldi joined Young Italy movement, 1833 Nationalist activities forced Garibaldi to flee Italy twice Learned techniques of guerilla warfare while living in South America Returned to Italy often to continue fight to free Italy from Austrian domination

Garibaldi’s Return 1854, Garibaldi returned for good Cavour asked to lead part of Sardinian army in war against Austria After bitter fighting, Austrians agreed to give up Lombardy, retaining Venetia

The Red Shirts Followers known as Red Shirts because of colorful uniforms By July 1860, using guerilla warfare, Garibaldi, Red Shirts gained control of island of Sicily September, Garibaldi, Sardinian troops conquered Naples Red Shirts now controlled southern part Italian peninsula Garibaldi wanted a republic, but ultimately offered the Kingdom of Two Sicilies to Sardinian king Victor Emmanuel

Check for Understanding What actions led Garibaldi to be called the “sword” of Italian unification? Talk with Partner 30 seconds

Unification 1861, territories held elections, all agreed to unification Holdouts were Venetia, still belonging to Austria; Papal States, under French troops supporting pope 1866, Prussia defeated Austria, gave Venetia to Italy 1870, Prussia forced French to withdraw from Rome Italian troops entered Rome, completed unification under King Victor Emmanuel