German Unification 1850s – 1871

People and Terms to know Manteuffel Chancellor to King Frederick William IV Chancellor: head of government (equiv to GB Prime Minister) Regent: ruler of country while monarch is ill/absent or weak William 1: successor to KWF IV, 1861 Nationalverein: German National Union 1859 – Aim: 1 central gvt for all Germany Progressive Party: Prussian Liberal Party Junkers: German landlords/aristocracy – support monarch Budget: A spending plan proposed by monarch Mobilisation: preparation and movement of armed forces for war Von Roon: War Minister to KW1 Von Moltke: Chief of Staff (Commander of Army) Landwehr: part-time soldiers, favoured Liberals National Liberals: would give support to Monarch‘s plan Landtag: Lower House of Parliament (=GB House of Commons) Impasse: stalemate. Abdication: give up the throne/crown Luckentheorie: loop hole in Prussian Constitution Bismarck used to carry on with military budget spending in 1861 Realpolitik:: doing what is practical as opposed to doing what is ideal. Opportunism: taking advantage of opportunities as they arise.

The Prussian Constitutional Crisis Cameron, Robertson, Henderson p63 – 78

Constitutional Crisis (1) King William 1 was a leading figure in German unification because: Replaced conservative, Manteuffel, with a liberal minister Believed in unification. Prussia as leader

Proposed changes to Prussian army: Army training 2-3 years full time for all men. 3-4 years training in reserves Landwehr (part-timesoldiers) to be abolished 49 more regiments 9million thalers (£1.5mill) per year to pay for changes New weapons to be intro’d Army strength increased from 230,000 to 450,000.

Why military changes? Prussian military support of Austria vs France was shambolic Traditionally Prussian army strong/proud KWI was a soldier himself Re-establish Prussian authority in Europe

Why Liberal Opposition to Military proposals Reforms would make men more loyal to King. They would oppose Liberals (evidence 1848) Junkers power and influence would increase. Landwehr – Liberal supporters – would decrease Cost of reforms = increased taxes. Liberals = middle classes = taxpayers.

The Crisis –Prussian Constitution allows PT to agree/veto the budget –KW wants to spend on army development –1860 Liberal PT refuses whole budget – agree to 1 year spending –KW goes ahead anyway because is supported by Upper House (Junkers) –1861 same again but splits Liberals: National Libs accept budget. Progressives reject totally. –Elections Progressive Pty big victory. Refuse budget. –KW dissolves PT. –More elections –Same again –CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS!!!!!!!!!! –IMPASSE: no give from either side. Stalemate.

Possible solutions to the Crisis KW abolish PT, rule by decree KW sees himself as a failure. Suggests abdication! Appoint new Chancellor.

Decision Solution iii: Appoint Otto Von Bismarck as the new Chancellor Summoned to Prussia by Von Roon “Periculum in mora. Dépêchez-vous!” “Delay is dangerous, hurry!”

BISMARCK the man l to r. Bismarck, von Roon, von Moltke The statesman/politician The soldier The congenial gentleman (the ladies’ man!)