1. Chapter 10 Section 1 Building a German Nation
Mr. Bellisario
November 4, 2013
Woodridge High School

2. Section Objectives
Identify several events that promoted German unity during the early 1800.
Explain the step of how Bismarck unified Germany.
Analyze the basic political organization of the new German empire.

3. Early Changes that Helped German Unity
Early 1800’s German-speaking people
Number of small states (countries)
Largest state, Prussia
Austrian Hapsburg empire

4. Impact of Napoleon (1807-1812) > desire for a united Germany
Territorial changes in German area
He annexed land along Rhine R. for France
Dissolved the Holy Roman Empire
Organized some German states into Rhine Confederation
New policies
Freeing of serfs
Made trade easier
Abolished laws against Jews
Congress of Vienna created German Confederation, weak alliance headed by Austria

5. Prussia 1830’s 1830’s Prussia created economic union – Zollverein
Got rid of tariffs among German states
However, Germany remained fragmented

6. Prussia 1848 1848 liberals met at Frankfurt Assembly
Demanded political unity
offered throne to Prussian, Frederick William IV, he refused

7. Bismarck the Chancellor
Bismarck united Germany because of his strong will
Background
`From Prussia’s nobility, called Junkers, conservative landowners
King William I made Bismarck Chancellor- prime minister of German states under Prussian rule
Realpolitik – realistic politics based on the needs of the state (Bismarck was the master!)
Creator of German unity
Not a nationalist – loyal to Hohenzollerns, ruling family of Prussia 

8. 3 Wars War with Denmark Austro-Prussian War Franco-Prussian War
1864 formed alliance w/ Austria
Seized provinces of Schleswig & Holstein from Denmark
Austro-Prussian War
1866 Bismarck created excuse to attack Austria
Lasted 6 weeks
Prussian annexed or took control of several northern German states
Franco-Prussian War
Rivalry between France & Prussia
Bismarck caused the war to happen by
Talking about French threat & trying to create German nationalism
Told the press about meeting between King Willliam I (Germany) & French ambassador
Edited “Ems dispatch”
Made it seem like William I had insulted the ambassador
Napoleon III was furious & declared war on Prussia
France defeated by Prussians

9. Result from those wars France is never a European power again
Basic Political Organization of New German Empire
Jan. 1871, William/Wilhelm I of Prussia became kaiser, emperor of the Second Reich (empire) – First Reich was Holy Roman Empire
Unified southern German states & Northern German Confederation
Constitution set up two-house legislature
Bundesrat – upper house, members appointed from nobility
Reichstag – lower house, members elected
Bundesrat could veto Reichstag – real power w/ kaiser & chancellor