Unification of Germany Abbey Smith, Duncan Whitcomb, Elizabeth Dobbie, Molly Fraser and Nicole Cole

Origins No one knows for sure how Germany was populated but the most supported idea is that Germanic tribes from Scandinavia and Denmark migrated southwards to what is present day Germany These tribes were highly influenced by Roman culture and technology.

Idea’s of Hegel Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1770. Hegel was one of the major philosophers for German idealism and his ideas played a large part in German nationalism. The majority of German leaders before Hitler were highly influenced by the idea’s of Hegel. Many people saw Hegel as a Nazi because instead of condemning the very idea of war he simply put it into context. Hegel pointed out that war is often needed to create freedom. Hegel said that man was the highest part of nature because he was conscious of all the nature below him.

Idea’s of Hegel (continued) Hegel was a firm believer of the “Relationship between master and slave” Hegel believed that the state was divine, that it was good, and that it was at the top of the hierarchy. Therefore he believed that it was for the best that the state grew, became an empire. Hegel’s ideas did not want an Empire formed from corruption and war, but rather on built on peace and what was good for the state as a whole. If transforming the divine state into an Empire was what was best for the state, then that’s what Hegel believed in.

Chart of Hegel’s Ideas

1871 Germany was unified as a modern nation-state in 1871, when the German Empire was forged, with the Kingdom of Prussia as its largest constituent. Germany lays siege to Paris Treaty of Frankfurt French Third Republic King Willhelm I of Prussia States leaders accept their new rule, but keep their same monarchs, laws. 3 short wars

Battle of Koniggratz

Otto Von Bismarck (Early Life) Otto von Bismarck was born in Brandenburg, Germany in 1815. He studied law and in 1847 entered the new Prussian Parliament as a ultra-royalist. He was totally opposed to democracy, in 1862 he became president of the Prussia

Otto Von Bismarck (Unification of Germany) At the time Germany consisted of loosely bound states. Bismarck used both diplomacy and the Prussian military to unify Germany. Not only did he make Prussia the most powerful and dominant component of the new Germany, but he ensured that under his rule Prussia would remain an authoritarian state.

Proclaiming the German Empire in 1871

Governing Structure The German Empire was a semi-constitutional monarchy. Under the power of Bismarck, Germany acquired some democratic features, notably the Reichstag, a parliament with limited powers elected by a secret ballot. The Bundeskanzler acted like a Prime Minister, and was appointed by the Kaiser who acted like the Governal General.

Governing Structure (Continued) Legislation also required the consent of the Bundeskanzler and the federal council of deputies from the states, in which Prussia dominated. Although Prussia was dominant they allowed each state to have its own government. Although authoritarian in many respects, the empire permitted the development of political parties.

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