1. Otto von Bismarck & German Unification

2. Bell Ringer
What is nationalism?
Discuss with Partner
1 minute

5. Zollverein Von Metternich - Opposed a united Germany
Prussia stepped forward
Zollverein: economic union
Eliminated tariff barriers among German states
Still politically fragmented

6. Otto von Bismarck Prussian Junker
Junker = conservative noble class
1862 – became chancellor under King Wilhelm I
In just under 10 years, Bismarck would unify Germany under Prussian rule

7. Prussian Power Recognized importance of strong military
Wanted more money spent on military
Parliament said “no”
Famous “Blood and Iron” speech

8. 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!”

9. 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

10. 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

11. Bismarck’s loyalty Not a German nationalist
Loyal to the Hohenzollerns – the German royal family

12. Bismarck’s wars Schleswig & Holstein Austro-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War

14. 1864: Schleswig & Holstein Allied w/ Austria
Seized Schleswig & Holstein from Denmark
Split:
Austria – controlled Holstein
Prussia – controlled Schleswig

15. 1866: Austro-Prussian 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

16. 1870: Franco-Prussian War Growing rivalry between:
France (Napoleon III)
Prussia (Wilhelm I & Bismarck)
Relative of Wilhelm offered Spanish throne
France protested
Bismarck rallies Germans (all Germans)

17. Realpolitik at work
Had wars with Austria & other territories - Prussia easily won
No harsh terms of peace
Allowed Austria & some other German states to remain independent
Why would he do this?? Discuss with partner 1 minute

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

19. Ems Dispatch Bismarck rewrote & released in the press a telegram
Wilhelm “insulted” French ambassador
Napoleon III (France) declared war on Prussia

20. “On to Berlin!” France attacked Prussia Prussia – military superiority
Easily defeated France
Napoleon III surrendered (taken captive)

21. Germany Unifies January 18,1871 German Confederation made official
Bismarck German princes, nobles, and generals gathered at Versailles
Wilhelm I of Prussia proclaimed Kaiser of the Second German Empire

24. 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
All that was left were bitter feelings and the desire for revenge…