1. Building a German Nation
Nationalism PPT #1
Building a German Nation
Taking Initial Steps Toward Unity
1806 to 1812 – Napoleon dissolved Holy Roman Empire
German speaking people wanted their own unified nation

2. Congress of Vienna creates German Confederation = weak alliance headed by Austria
1839 – free trade amongst German States = improves economy

3. Otto von Bismarck - Diplomat from Junker class = Prussian landowning noble
1862 – King William I (Prussia) makes him Prime Minister
Bismarck then becomes Chancellor = highest official of monarch
Used policy of “blood and iron” to unite German States under Prussian rule

4. Bismarck had a strong will
Master of REALPOLITIK = realistic politics based on the needs of the state.
Architect of German Unity – but – not a German nationalist
Wanted unification to bring power to Prussian Hohenzollerns

5. Created new confederation dominated by Prussia
Increased power of the military
Forcefully annexed northern German States
Created new confederation dominated by Prussia
Austria remains independent = no war that way

6. France Declares War on Prussia
Prussian victory over Austria angered Napoleon III of France
Led to Franco-Prussian War of 1870
Superior Prussian military with German support crushed French = humiliating peace for France (some of this anger plays a role in WWI)

7. France Declares War on Prussia
Delighted by Victory over France
Princes from southern German States & North German Confederation:
Persuade William I of Prussia to become Kaiser
Kaiser = Emperor

8. Birth of a German Empire
January 1871 = birth of the
Second Reich (Empire) - second because The Holy Roman Empire was considered the first Reich

9. Second Reich Constitution set up two-house legislature
Reichstag = lower house = elected by male suffrage
Bundesrat = upper house = appointed by rulers of German states
Bundesrat could veto Reichstag = power remained in hands of Emperor & Chancellor
(Germany has the Bundesrat and Bundestag today – a bicameral, parliament, Chancellor & President)
Bundesrat Logo Reichstag Logo