1. Bellwork: Review: What is unification?
Name one of the leaders of Italian Unification and briefly explain his role.
3. Respond to the following quote:
“Not through speeches and majority decision will the great questions of the day be decided but by iron and blood.”
a. What do you think the quote means?
b. What is “iron and blood”?
Would you be willing to die for the sake of your country? Willing to kill? Would you sit back? Or would you strike first?
Blood = soldiers, Iron =swords

2. Unification of Germany

3. Today’s Agenda
Standard: W.13 Summarize the causes, course, and consequences of unification in Germany including the role of Otto von Bismarck
Objective: I can explain the events that led to the unification of Germany and the actions of Otto von Bismarck, including “blood and iron” and realpolitik.
Bellwork
Notes
Webquest
Map Activity

5. Three Elements of German Unification
The State: The most important of the German states was Prussia.
The Man: Otto von Bismarck
His goal was to unify all of the German states into one super-power.
The Method: War
Danish War 1864
Austro-Prussian War 1866
Franco-Prussian War 1871
(info)

6. Factors Against Unification
Large number of states, 39
German Confederation of 39 states created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815
The Confederation was working just fine
Religion:
South – Catholic
North - Protestant

7. Factors Against Unification (cont.)
D. Outside Influences:
Other countries didn’t want Germany to become a nation. This would disturb the Balance of Power in Europe
France was especially worried about Germany becoming a nation because she would be a strong rival right next door.
E. Austrian and Prussian Rivalry

8. Austria/Prussia Rivalry
Austrian Empire
Prussia
Multinational Empire
Major power in Europe
Dealing with issues in Italy
Wars with France, Italy, and Prussia
Primarily German population
Powerful army
Authoritarian government – strong king
Industrialized quickly

9. Factors for Unification
Race: A consciousness of belonging together
A common language, culture, written language
National Music and Literature
Bach, and Beethoven
Feelings of Nationalism

10. Factors For Unification (cont.)
D. The Zollverien – customs union that removed tariffs on products traded between German states
Promoted trade and a strong economy
E. Napoleonic Code of Laws – gave all 39 states a common set of laws

11. The Notorious O.V.B. (Otto von Bismarck)
What can you guess about his personality and his leadership by looking at this picture?
Military, strong leader, etc.
Serious
Strong
Angry
Powerful
Leader
Soldier
A Boss
Brave
A Liberator
Military Man
Rich
Confident
Hard-Working

12. The Notorious O.V.B. (Otto von Bismarck)
The Prime Minister of Prussia in the late 1800’s.
Practiced “realpolitik”
“Politics of reality”
Belief in practical goals instead of theory or idealism
Not concerned about morals or ethics
Doing whatever you think is necessary to achieve your goals
Believed Prussia destined to lead German people to unification
Method to gain unification: “Blood and Iron”

13. “Blood and Iron”
“The great questions of our time will not be solved with speeches and majority votes but with iron and blood.”
What do you think this means? What does this tell us about Bismarck’s philosophy?
What did he think about of the democratic process of speeches and votes? We are past voting, we need to take action.

14. “Blood and Iron” Meaning
Blood = Soldiers, Iron = Swords
We are not going to talk. We are going to fight for what we want.
Speeches are not important. Action is important.
Fight!!! War!!!
Is war necessary to unify a nation? Explain.

15. “Blood and Iron” Bismarck builds up the Prussian army
Bismarck led Prussia into three wars
Danish War, 1864
Austro-Prussian War, 1866
Franco-Prussian War, 1871
Each war increased Prussia’s power and paved the way for German unity

17. Words of Wisdom from Otto von Bismarck
“Laws are like sausages. It is better not to see them being made.”
“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.”
“When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.”
“The main thing is to make history, not to write it.”
What can you determine about his personality from these quotes?
What kind of leader do you think he was?
Do you think has a good understanding of politics?

18. Words of Wisdom (cont.)
“Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”
“Politics is not an exact science.”
Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.”

19. Otto von Bismarck Rap

20. German Unification
The peace treaty following the Franco-Prussian War established a new unified German empire.
Wilhelm I declared Kaiser (Emperor)
Bismarck appointed to First Chancellor (Chief Minister)
New World Power is Born!
Germany had replaced France as the dominant power in Europe
In the aftermath of unification Germany emerged as the industrial giant of the European continent.
Germany had an ample supply of iron and coal; a disciplined and educated workforce, all were key factors in industrialization.
German society prided itself on its sense of responsibility and deference to authority.
A rapidly growing population provide a large home market and a supply of industrial workers.

21. Unified Germany, 1871

22. German Unification in Three Minutes

23. Webquest and Map Activity:
Go to the following website:
(Google: “Open Door Web Site Unification”)
Read the information on the website and answer the questions on the handout
Complete map activity on back of handout
Due at the end of class!

24. Exit Ticket/ Tweet it Out
In 140 characters or less, compose a “tweet” that sums up German Unification and the role of Otto von Bismarck. Don’t forget to add a hashtag.