1. I. Building a German Nation
Chapter 22 Section 1

2. I. Initial Steps Toward Unity
A. Early 1800s = Napoleon
raids German lands
Annexed land along the Rhine River for France
Dissolved the Holy Roman Empire by forcing the Austrian Emperor to be reduced to a king
Organized states into the Rhine Confederation
B. First, Napoleon was welcomed in many states…why?
Encouraged freeing serfs
Made trade easier between nations
Abolished laws against Jews
C. Many Germans fought against French rule
Wanted a Unified German State

4. II. Napoleon is Defeated
A. German defeat of Napoleon did not resolve many issues
At Congress of Vienna, Metternich pointed out that a United Germany would require dismantling smaller German states
So, the German Confederation was created
Weak alliance, headed by Austria

6. III. Economic Changes Promote Unity
A s = Prussia creates an economic union called Zollverein
Removed tariffs between German states
Germany was still politically divided
B = liberals in Frankfurt demand political unity of Germany
Offered the “Throne of Germany” to Frederick William IV of Prussia who rejects their offer

7. Otto von Bismarck
Prussian
Eventually Dismissed by the Kaiser!

8. IV. Bismarck Unites Germany
A. Otto von Bismarck = was a conservative landowner in Prussia
Served as a diplomat in Russia and France
1862 = King William I made him Prime Minister
Soon he became Chancellor (highest official in the monarch of Prussia)
Used policy of “blood and iron” to united German states under Prussian rule

11. esteem all over the world,
and inspire us to noble deeds
all our life. -
German women, German faithfulness,
german wine and German songs!
Unity and justice and freedom
for the German fatherland;
This let us all pursue,
brotherly with heart and hand.
are the pledge of happiness.
Flourish in this blessing's glory,
flourish, German fatherland.
Germany, Germany above all,
above anything in the world,
if it always holds together brotherly
for protection and defense.
From the Meuse to the Neman,
from the Adige to the Belt,
above anything in the world.
German women, German faithfulness,
German wine and German songs
should continue to be held in high

12. V. Realpolitik
A. Realpolitik = realistic politics based on the needs of the state
Power was important than principles
B. Bismarck’s loyalty was not to Germany, but to the Hohenzollerns = the ruling dynasty in the Prussian monarch
He wanted German unity to bring Prussia more power

13. VI. Strengthening the Army
A. Bismarck strengthened the army in Prussia using money set aside for other purposes
B. Used army to pursue an aggressive foreign policy
Led Prussia into three wars in 10 years
Increase in Prussian power paved the way for German Unification

14. VII. Prussia Declares War on Denmark and Austria
A = Bismarck forms alliance with Austria
B. Prussia and Austria then seize provinces in Denmark and divide the land they conquered
C = Bismarck invents an excuse to attack Austria
Prussia defeats Austria in 7 weeks and seizes more territory, annexing North German states

15. VIII. France Declares War on Prussia
A. Prussian victory over Austria angered Napoleon III
B. Led to the Franco-Prussian war in 1870
C. Bismarck portrayed the French as a menace to enhance nationalism in Germany
D. Napoleon declares war on Prussia and is defeated in a matter of weeks

17. VIII. Birth of a German Empire
A. Victories over France prompted princes from the Southern and Northern German Confederations to persuade William I to become Kaiser (emperor) of Germany
B = German nationalists celebrated the birth of the 2nd Reich or empire
Considered it to be heir to the Holy Roman Empire