Historical Features of
Germany
• Enlightenment doesn’t cross the Rhine
• German Industrialization
– In two generations, Germany catches up
and surpasses Great Britain in terms of
industrial might.
• What do these factors mean for
Germany?
Factors Promoting
Unification
• Common Nationality
• Napoleon’s Influence
– Abolishes Holy Roman Empire
• Congress of Vienna
– Creates the German Confederation
• Zollverein
– Economic unity amongst German states
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Zollverein
Factors Prohibiting
Unification
• German Cleavages in Society
– Regional, Religious, Class
• Opposition of Austria
• Opposition of Lesser German States
• Opposition of France
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Kaiser Wilhelm I
Helmut von Moltke
Chancellor Otto von
Bismarck
The “Iron
Chancellor”
Realpolitik
“Blood
&
Iron”
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Otto von Bismarck . . . .
The less people know about how
sausages and laws are made, the
better they’ll sleep at night.
Never believe in anything until it has
been officially denied.
The great questions of the day will not
be settled by speeches and majority
decisions—that was the mistake of
1848-1849—but by blood and iron.
Steps toward Unification
•
•
•
•
•
Create Military Power
Eliminate Austria
Establish North German Federation
Franco-Prussian War
Establish German Empire
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Step #1: Create Military
Power
• 1862 Prussian liberal majority will
not grant funds to Bismarck for him
to develop his military.
• Bismarck violates Prussian Constitution
and from 1862-1867 governs virtually
as a dictator, establishing a strong
Prussian military.
Step #2a:
The
Danish
War
[1864]
The Peace of
Vienna
Schlesswig-Holstein
Step #2b: Austro-Prussian
War
[Seven Weeks’ War], 1866
Prussia
Austria
Bismarck provokes a
war with Austria!!!
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Peace with Austria
• Prussia gets control of Schlesswig-
Holstein.
• Austria cedes Venetia to Italy.
• Austria agrees to dissolve the
Austrian-dominated German
Confederation.
Step #3: Creation of the Northern
German Confederation, 1867
He then established a new North
German Confederation which Prussia
could control Peace of Prague
Step #4a: Ems Dispatch [1870]:
Catalyst for War
1868 revolt in Spain.
Spanish leaders wanted
Prince Leopold von Hohenz.
[a cousin to the Kaiser], as their new king.
France protested & his name was withdrawn.
The Fr. Ambassador asked the Kaiser at Ems to
apologize to Nap. III for supporting Leopold.
Bismarck “doctored” the telegram from Wilhelm to
the French Ambassador to make it seem as though
the Kaiser had insulted Napoleon III.
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Step #4b: Franco-Prussian
War
[1870-1871]
Bismarck & Napoleon III After
Sedan
Treaty of Frankfurt [1871]
o France ceded Alsace-Lorraine to
Germany [a region rich in iron deposits
with a flourishing textile industry].
o France paid a huge indemnity and was
occupied by German troops until it was
paid.
o This treaty plants the seeds of World
War I.
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Step #5: Establish German Empire
Kaiser Wilhelm I is proclaimed Emperor of the
German Empire
[1871-1888]
German
Imperial
Flag
Otto von Bismarck . . . .
I am bored. The great things are
done. The German Reich is made.
A generation that has taken a beating
is always followed by a generation that
deals one.
Some damned foolish thing in the
Balkans will provoke the next war.
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Question to Consider
o According to many historians, the actions
of Bismarck paved the way for Hitler’s
dictatorship to take place after World
War I. Do you agree with this
statement? Provide evidence to support
your answer.
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