The Unification of Germany

GOALSMETHODSBISMARCKUnification of GermanyIncrease Prussian PowerDecrease Austrian influence in Germany (drive them out of Germany)blood and iron war, trickery, etc (7 Weeks War, tricked Austria; Franco-Prussian War)Realpolitik do whatever is necessary to achieve goals, not what is moral or rightCAVOURUnification of ItalyMake Sardinia a model of progress and efficiency (liberalism)Did not favor war, but was willing to use it if necessary (got involved in Crimean War to have a place at the peace negotiations in order to bring up the Italian question; joined Prussia in 7 Weeks War to get Venetia)Used plebiscites and majority opinion to unifyLet the Red Shirts and Garibaldi do work for himThe Unification of GermanyThe French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, 1789-1815Exported the principles of liberty, equality and brotherhood (Libert, Egalit, Fraternit)Broke the power of the old Monarchical regimes and states in Central Europe.Saw the emergence of the idea of Nationalism the term first appeared in the writings of the Jesuit Abb Barruel in 1798The Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars witnessed the first upsurge of Nationalism in European history, partly under the inspiration of the French armies and message of liberation, partly in reaction against those armies and the realities of occupation and oppression. Robert Gildea, Barricades and Borders: Europe 1800-1914 (Oxford: OUP, 1996)

Prior to Unity:Before the process of German unification began, German speaking people lived in small, separate states, as well as in the Austrian Hapsburg Empire, and in Prussia. When Napoleon began his invasions throughout Europe in 1807, many territorial changes throughout the German states were made.

This is the area in through which the German states were spread in 1800Napoleon Impacts Germany:Between 1807 and 1812, Napoleon made major changes to the territorial states of Germany. As a French leader at the time, he gained a number of European lands and put many German -speaking states under French rule. (In red) Many Germans welcomed him because they liked his policies. But soon, extreme German nationalism arose!!!

German Nationalism: German nationalism slowly began to show in the early 1800s. Germany was divided into a number of small states and desired a unification within them. Their goal was to become completely independent out of the control of all other nations as they had been in the past.

Effects on GermanyGerman nationalists, liberals and Romantics initially welcomed the French revolution and saw the French armies as liberators.1805: Defeat of Austria at the Battle of Austerlitz1806: Defeat of Prussia at the twin battles of Jena & AuerstadtNapoleonic re-ordering of Germany: Holy Roman Empire abolished Number of states reduced to 39 Puppet rulers installed in German statesConfederation of the Rhine formedFrench legal system imposedNapoleons German campaigns and the experience of occupation turned popular and liberal nationalist sentiment against Napoleon. What is a Nation?Johann Gottfried von Herder (1744-1803): The Volk (nation or race) is the decisive determinant of human identity.The nation is therefore identified not with the state (which is an artificial body), but with the organic body of the Volk.Johann Goethe (1749-1832): No need for a nation-state Germany was a cultural community like Ancient Greece.Geog Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831): An individual only achieved their full potential through service to the state.German nationalism based on the idea of a racial/cultural community with shared language, history, traditions, myths etc.

A nation can therefore be defined as a named human population sharing an historic territory, common myths and historical memories, a mass public culture, a common economy and common legal rights and duties for all members. Anthony D. Smith, National Identity (Reno, Las Vegas, London) 1991, p. 14.The Congress of Vienna, 1814-15Restored deposed monarchs to their thrones and sought to re-establish the ancien rgime in Europe.Granted Prussia extensive territory in the Rhineland the population of the Kingdom of Prussia doubled overnight. Established the German Confederation.

Congress of Vienna:People began to demand a unified German state more and more as German Nationalism increased due to Napoleons invasion.Many German Nationalists brought their demands to the Congress of Vienna. An Austrian politician, Clemens von Metternich, opposed these demands and stated that joining the governments of the many separated states would be extremely tricky.Instead, the group formed a German Confederation, which was a very weak body headed by Austria.

BackgroundGermany was the last of the great European powers to achieve complete political unity1815 39 independent German states stretched from north to south and east to westAustria and Prussia were the most powerful of these German statesGermany was divided and economically disadvantagedAntagonisms between Protestant and Catholic states ran deepSteps Toward UnityThe Congress of Vienna had created the German Confederation in 1815 as a buffer against possible future French expansionThis established closer economic ties between the German states and helped pave the way for political unionThe Confederation was loosely tied together with a diet, or assembly, sitting at Frankfurt

GERMAN CONFEDERATION 1815 - 1866The German ConfederationMade up of 39 German StatesDesigned to help preserve the status quo rather than as a basis for a United Germany.The Austrian Chancellor Metternich saw it as a means of preserving Austrian dominance over Germany.The Federal Diet (parliament) met at Frankfurt and was made up of (unelected) representatives of all the states. It was always chaired by the Austrian representative. In theory the Diet could appoint ambassadors, negotiate treaties on behalf of members and organize a Federal Army. In practice little was ever done because the unanimous agreement of all 39 states was required. The German ConfederationReplaced the Holy Roman EmpireLoose political association of German statesMost of the power remained in the hands of the individual German sovereignsNo central executive or judiciaryDiet met in Frankfurt to consider joint legislation A DIVIDED GERMANYLoose federation of 39 StatesControlled by 2 PowersAustria HapsburgsPrussia Hohenzollern181848 Revolution to unify Germany had failed the 39 States was the outcomeWhere is Germany?Both The Kingdom of Prussia and the Austrian Empire incorporated territory outside the German Confederation and non-German citizens.Grossdeutschland (Greater Germany) would incorporate the German-speaking parts of the Austrian Empire and would maintain Catholic Austrias leadership of Germany.Kleindeutschland (Little Germany) would exclude Austria but include the whole of Prussia (including her Polish territories), leaving Protestant Prussia as the dominant German state.Opposing IdeasGrossdeutschlandA Germany including the Austrian EmpireKleindeutschlandA Germany excluding the Austrian EmpireSteps Toward UnityAustria dominated the ConfederationThe position as head of the diet eventually brought it into conflict with PrussiaAustria and the smaller German states did not want a united GermanyAustria feared the economic competitionThe smaller states feared domination by PrussiaPrussiaThe largest of the German statesHad a well-organized government and a strong economyPolitical power lay in the hands of the influential aristocratic landowners called JunkersMembers of the rising business class demanded a share of political powerPrussian Flag of the Second Reich

Prussia Enters the Picture:Prussia, a great rival to Austria, took over the German states in the 1830s. Trying to create an economic union, they took away borders between the German states. They still remained politically separate though.

At the Frankfurt Assembly in 1848, liberals offered the throne to a united Germany to the Prussian king, but they were refused. Germany remained divided but still had a desire for unity.The ZollvereinPrussian Tariff Reform Law (1818): Designed to protect Prussian industry from cheap imports & break down internal barriers to free trade.1818-34: Prussia tried to encourage free trade within Germany by forming customs unions with neighbouring states.By 1836 the Prussian Customs Union (Zollverein) was made up of 25 states with a population of 26 million. Trade barriers & customs duties between members were abolished and there were moves towards standardization of weights and measures and currency.

The Zollverein

Steps Toward UnityGerman states formed a Zollverein, an economic union, in 1834This reduced trade barriersThis step toward unity strengthened the influence of Prussia and weakened AustriaIn 1848 power in the German states shifted to the liberalsDelegates met in the Frankfurt Assembly to unite the country under a liberal constitutionRevolutions of 1848Nationalism reaches ascendancyGerman revolutions result in Frankfurt ParliamentCall for unified GermanyAustria said it would oppose a centralized government in GermanyPrussian king offered the crown of the unified German Empire

The Revolutions of 1848Causes: Economic Crisis (1846-47) Demographic change (growing population, urbanization etc.) Poor harvests leading to famine Cholera epidemic Dissatisfaction with conservative political climate24 Feb. 1848: Revolution in France King Louis Philippe overthrown and a Republic established.13 March: Demonstrations in Vienna lead to the fall of Metternich24 October: The Austrian Emperor Ferdinand (1835-48) abdicates in favour of his nephew Franz Josef (1848-1916).13 March: Prussian troops fire on demonstrators in the palace square in Berlin, leading to 2 days of rioting16 March: News of Metternichs fall reaches Berlin. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV (1840-61) agrees in principle to a new constitution, parliament and an end to censorship.18 March: More fighting in Berlin at least 300 rioters killed by the Army.21 March: Friedrich Wilhelm grants a series of reforms including the appointment of a liberal ministry.August-November: The Prussian King reasserts his control. Martial Law is introduced in November and the liberal constitution and parliament overturned. The Frankfurt Parliament5 March 1848: The Heidelberg Declaration: calls for a single German state governed by a united German parliament.31 March: 574 representatives from the German states met in Frankfurt to agree on what form the new German parliament would take (the Vorparlament).After elections in April the parliament met in Frankfurt in May 1848. It was largely made up of liberal middle-class professionals (teachers, lawyers etc.) and was moderate in character. The Assembly soon became bogged down in debate over what form a united Germany should take and how it should be governed.June: A provisional government led by the Habsburg Archduke John was elected, but it had no real power and an ill-defined role.March 1849: A Constitution for a united German Empire agreed and the Imperial crown was offered to the King of Prussia, who refused it. The rulers of Bavaria, Saxony and Hanover also rejected the Constitution.May 1849: The parliament expelled from Frankfurt and moved to Stuttgart.June 1849: The parliament forcibly broken up by the King of Wrttemberg s troops.

Proposed German UnificationProposed country was one in which the parliament would have considerable powerWith limitation of the royal prerogative, Frederick William IV of Prussia turns down the offer of the throneWas opposed to any limitations on royal powerFrankfurt Parliament disbands Steps Toward UnityThe liberals were weakened by internal feudingThis allowed conservatives to regain controlIn 1849 the Prussian military forced the Assemblys closureMany liberal and radical Germans fled abroadDuring the 1850s conservatives in Germany came to control nationalist causesResults of RevolutionsA reactionary returnThose who defied royal power were punishedMany reforms granted due to revolutionary violence were abrogated

Signs of Things to ComeFrederick William IV of Prussia suffers a breakdownBrother, William takes the regencyAnnounces reformGovernment turns away from reactionary politicsThe Development of PrussiaEconomic boom in the 1850s: industrial production, foreign trade & railway building all doubled between 1851 and 1858.1850-58: Minister-President Otto von Manteuffel pursued a policy of trying to bolster support for the monarchy through limited social (but not political) reform.1858: Friedrich Wilhelm IV declared insane and his brother Wilhelm becomes regent.

Frederick William IV

William I

Wilhelm I (1861-1858)Born in 1797 in BerlinA soldier by training and a conservative by instinctFought against Napoleon in the Wars of Liberation & Waterloo CampaignStaunch opponent of RevolutionA devout Protestant, he believed that he was answerable only to God.

William or Wilhelm IGerman conservatives looked to Prussia for help in uniting GermanyIn 1861 William I became king of PrussiaWilliam was opposed to liberal ideasHe took steps to expand the Prussian armyLiberal nationalists saw no need for a strong militaryThey wanted the king to adopt democratic policies to gain support from the other German statesLiberal deputies in the Prussian assembly overwhelmingly defeated new taxes to support a larger armyThe Development of PrussiaEconomic boom in the 1850s: industrial production, foreign trade & railway building all doubled between 1851 and 1858.1850-58: Minister-President Otto von Manteuffel pursued a policy of trying to bolster support for the monarchy through limited social (but not political) reform.1858: Friedrich Wilhelm IV declared insane and his brother Wilhelm becomes regent. 1858: The New Era Wilhelm appoints a mixed ministry of liberals and conservatives and the Liberals gain 55% of the seats in the Prussian Diet.1860: Army Reform Bill1860-1862: Constitutional Conflict.1862: Otto von Bismarck appointed Minister-President.Signs of Things to Come1859France and Piedmont defeat Austria in the Northern Italian WarMaintenance of authoritarian regime in Vienna relied upon respect for military prowessShaken by defeatPopular unrest grows throughout the empireTo hold back unrest Franz Josef agrees to a constitution that establishes a parliament1859

Franz Josef of Austria

Realpolitik in PrussiaChange in attitude of liberalsCame to feel that their defeat ten years before was due to idealism and exuberanceFatal mistake was assumption that enthusiasm and selflessness could be translated into power and substituted for statesmanshipRealpolitik in PrussiaTheory and rhetoric would not workNegotiation and compromise would lead to unity and freedomHoped that giving the king sufficient time, he would lead them to where they wanted to beParliamentary governmentLiberty

ConflictProgressive Party foundedPushed for increased liberalization of the governmentKing thought he was being pushed too farBecame more adamant and uncompromisingKing and Progressive Party waited for an issue to fight overArmy ReformsKing wanted to increase the number of regular army regiments and decrease the militiaParliament demanded a modification of the planDid not want an increase in the power of the conservative officer corpsKing refusedBelieved that parliament was trying to gain control of the royal armyOtto von Bismarck

The less people know about how sausages and laws are made, the better they'll sleep at night.

-- Otto von Bismarck

Otto von BismarckKing appoints Bismarck as Prime Minister of PrussiaArch-conservativeParliament refused to approve budget until their army reforms were approved by the kingBismarck and government continues to collect taxes and fund the army as before"Never believe in anything until it has been officially denied." -Otto von Bismarck

BismarckWilliam I appointed Otto von Bismarck as his prime minister and ambassador to Russia and FranceHe shared the kings view that Prussia needed a stronger government and army to achieve German unityHe was a brilliant negotiatorBismarck embraced the policy of realpolitikRealpolitik: the right of the nation-state to pursue its own advantage by any means, including war and the repudiation of treaties

Otto von BismarckSought a government that would be parliamentary but at the same time allow authoritarian policiesSolution of crisisLiberals wanted German unity and freedomBismarck would use the prospect of unity to tamper the drive for freedomOtto von BismarckCompromiseBourgeoisie would obtain the benefits of economic consolidationKing retained the advantages of political dominationSaw answer to internal issues in foreign policyThe great questions of the day will not be settled by speeches and majority decisions that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849 but by blood and iron.Otto von Bismarck

Bismarck manipulating the ReichstagBismarcks Military Build-up

Gross oder KleinWith the debate over a large or small Germany continuing Bismarck saw that the Austrian question had to be answeredHe had to find a way to get Austria out of any possible solution to German unificationGeneral European SituationRussian defeat in Crimean War keeps them out of continental politicsBritain concerned about internal reformNapoleon III hopes that an internal German Civil War might let him expand the French Empire across the RhineGerman UnificationIn a complex series of diplomatic maneuvers, Bismarck welded disunited kingdoms and small states into a major continental power independent of the other dominant German dynasty, the Habsburg monarchy. Prussias use of force unified Germany politically, and almost immediately that unity unleashed the new nations economic potential. An aristocratic and agrarian elite remained firmly in power, but a rapidly growing working class would soon become a political force to be reckoned with. Austro-Prussian Conflict1849-50: Austrian attempts to join the Zollverein come to nothing, leaving Austria as the political leader of the German Confederation, but economically isolated.1850: The Capitulation at Olmutz Prussia forced to abandon her plan to replace the German Confederation with a union led jointly by Prussia and Austria.1862: Bismarck demanded that Austria recognize Prussia as its equal within Germany.1864: German-Danish War Austria & Prussia co-operate to prevent Denmark from annexing the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. By the terms of the Convention of Gastein Schelswig was ceded to Prussia and Holstein to Austria.1866: Seven Weeks (Austro-Prussian) War Austria brings an action against Prussia in the Federal Diet & Prussia walks out declaring the end of the German Confederation. Prussia decisively defeats Austria a Sadowa (Kniggrtz) on 3 July.

1861BismarckIn September 1862 Bismarck defied the finance committee of the Prussian assemblyThe lower house had refused to approve the new army budgetBismarck simply collected the necessary taxes without authorizationHe said that the great issues of the times would not be decided by speeches and majority decisionsbut by blood and iron.Three WarsBismarcks initial goal was to raise money for army expansionHe wanted Prussia to use its military and economic power to reduce Austrian influence among the German statesHe planned to arrange the unification of all German states except Austria and Switzerland under Prussian domination1864 War with DenmarkDanish king rules over Schleswig and Holstein as a dukeThese provinces were ethnically GermanDenmark annexes Schleswig into the countryNationalist sentiment in Germany was outragedWilliam I proposes joint action to Franz JosefWar Against DenmarkThe king of Denmark ruled the territories of Schleswig and Holstein by inheritanceSchleswigs population was part German and part DanishHolsteins population was entirely GermanKing Christian IX proclaimed Schleswig a Danish province in 1863The Germans in both territories looked to the larger German states for supportKing Christian IX of Denmark

War Against DenmarkBismarck persuaded Austria to join Prussia in declaring war against Denmark in 1864Prussia and Austria won the war and forced Denmark out of the disputed provincesPrussia took over Schleswig and Austria took over HolsteinThis arrangement strained the relationship between these rival powersGerman-Danish War

1864 War with DenmarkAfter a short was Denmark is defeatedSchleswig and Holstein are jointly supervised by Prussia and AustriaAustria wanted them to become an independent country in the German ConfederationPrussia sought outright annexation

War over Schleswig-Holstein, 1864. Members of the Order of Saint John and Rauhe-Haus Friars collecting the wounded.Schleswig-Holstein Compromise1865 CompromiseHolsteinGoverned by AustriaSchleswigGoverned by PrussiaJoint sovereignty reaffirmedTension between Austria and Prussia continued to growWar Against DenmarkThe war accomplished two of Bismarcks objectivesIt made Europe aware of Prussias military might and influenceThe tension resulting from the war settlement gave Bismarck the excuse he wanted to go to war with Austria

Austro-Prussian War1866The Seven Weeks WarAustrian Army destroyed at the Battle of KniggrtzPrussian needle gunDestroyed the balance of power achieved at the Congress of Vienna, 50 years beforeSeven Weeks WarBismarck prepared for war by stripping Austria of possible alliesHe offered the Russian czar aid against Polish rebels in 1863He offered France possible compensations for its neutrality in case of an Austro-Prussian warHe also forged an alliance with Italy by supporting its claim to VenetiaKingdom of PrussiaAustrian EmpireneutralKingdom of ItalyMecklenburg-SchwerinMecklenburg-StrelitzOldenburgAnhaltBrunswickSaxe-AltenburgSaxe-Coburg and GothaLauenburgLippe-DetmoldSchwarzburg-SondershausenWaldeck-PyrmontBremenHamburgLbeckKingdom of BavariaKingdom of HanoverKingdom of SaxonyKingdom of WrttembergBadenHesse-DarmstadtNassauHesse-KasselSaxe-MeiningenReuss-GreizSchaumburg-LippeFrankfurtLimburgLiechtensteinLuxembourgReuss-SchleizSaxe-Weimar-EisenachSchwarzburg-RudolstadtDisputed Territory SchleswigHolstein

Alliances in the Seven Weeks WarSeven Weeks WarAustria sided with the duke of Augustenburg, gaining Bismarck public support for his actionsBismarck ordered Prussian troops into Austrian-occupied Holstein to prevent an alliance between Austria and the dukeAustria then asked the German Confederation to take military action against Prussia for this invasionBismarck responded by declaring war against AustriaSeven Weeks War

Seven Weeks WarThe war between Austria and Prussia began on June 15, 1866It ended in Prussian victory just 7 weeks laterFor Bismarck the war was limited and had limited objectivesThe purpose of the war was to separate Austria and Germany and end the chance for a united Germany under Austrian controlSeven Weeks WarBismarck did not want to destroy Austria with a harsh peace settlementThe treaty ending the war was negotiated in the city of PragueThe settlement dissolved the German Confederation The settlement gave Holstein to Prussia and Venetia to ItalyThe Confederations constitution gave each state, but Prussia still controlled foreign policy and domestic affairs

Seven Weeks WarLegislative authority was vested in a federal council The council was composed of representatives from the various governments and an assembly elected by universal male suffrageThe establishment of a strong confederation by Prussia made Bismarck a hero among German nationalists

Treaty of PragueAustria retains all possessions except VenetiaPromised to Italians by Prussians before the warFranz Josef forced to agree to Prussian land gainsBismarck did not want to destroy AustriaTreaty of PraguePrussia gainsHanoverNassauHesse-KasselSchleswig-HolsteinFrankfurt am MainGerman Confederation dissolvedNorthern German Confederation established

Bismarcks Brutality, as seen by the FrenchPrussian Internal PoliticsBismarcks military triumph led to a constitutional triumphBismarck did not seek to destroy liberalism but to come to an accommodation with itTriumph of nationalism led to the subjugation of liberalismNorth German ConfederationFederal ConstitutionDid not haveBill of RightsMinisterial ResponsibilityCivilian supervision of the armyDid haveUniformity of currency, weights, measures, commercial practicesIndustrial lawsFinancial regulationsNorth German ConfederationFederal constitutionCreated economic unity the middle class had been looking forHelped reconcile the middle class to the defeat of its hopes for greater political freedom

1867The Southern German StatesThe southern German states were largely CatholicThey were outside of the new German confederationThey feared Protestant Prussias military strength and its control of GermanyThe kingdoms of Bavaria and Wurttenberg steadfastly opposed German unification under PrussiaBeginnings of WarThe only way that the southern states would accept unification is if Prussia gave up some of its authority in a united govtFrance posed the most serious obstacle to a united GermanyNapoleon III would not accept German unification unless France received some territoryTo resolve this situation, Bismarck again chose warConflict with FranceA powerful new nation now existed in Central EuropeFrance had hoped for a war between Austria and PrussiaNapoleon III had hoped that they would each emerge from the conflict exhaustedThen France could expand to the eastConflict with FranceFrance now faced a strong German stateFrance wanted compensation in the Rhineland, Luxembourg, or BelgiumBerlin kept this from happeningIt became obvious to all that France and Prussia were on the road to warConflict with FranceBismarck was willing to accept the coming warWanted to bring the southern German states into the Prussian foldKnew that it would take a common patriotic struggle against foreign aggressionPrelude to WarPrince Leopold, a relative of the Prussian king, was invited to take the Spanish throneHe acceptedParis demands that he be ordered to withdraw his acceptanceHis father renounces his acceptance for himParis demands that William I forever renounce any attempt to put a Hohenzollern on the throne of SpainPrelude to WarFrench demand presented to the king at EmsWilliam I refused to promise, but conference ended in a friendly fashionBismarck doctored the report of the conference to make it sound like the king refused to see the ambassador againFrench used this as an excuse to declare warNapoleon III

The Franco-Prussian WarSome historians believe that Bismarck was responsible for the Franco-Prussian WarBismarck knew that he had to lure France into warHe took advantage of Napoleon IIIs weakness in foreign policy and of the French publics current anti-Prussian feelingPolitical Cartoon of Napoleon III

The Franco-Prussian WarIn 1868 a revolution in Spain deposed Queen Isabella from the throneThe Spanish government offered the throne to Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern Napoleon III feared a Spanish-German alliance against France and protested the offerLeopold voluntarily declined the throneFrance demanded from Prussia that a Hohenzollern would never sit on the Spanish throneWilliam refused to make this promisePrince Leopold of Hohenzollern

The Franco-Prussian WarWilliam I described the meeting with France to Bismarck in a telegramBismarck altered the telegram to make it appear that William had insulted the French and released it to the pressNewspaper coverage of the supposed insult enraged the French Unedited TelegramHis Majesty the King has written to me: "Count Benedetti intercepted me on the promenade and ended by demanding of me in a very importunate manner that I should authorize him to telegraph at once that I bound myself in perpetuity never again to give my consent if the Hohenzollerns renewed their candidature. I rejected this demand somewhat sternly as it is neither right nor possible to undertake engagements of this kind [for ever and ever]. Naturally I told him that I had not yet received any news and since he had been better informed via Paris and Madrid than I was, he must surely see that my government was not concerned in the matter.Unedited Telegram (contd.)[The King, on the advice of one of his ministers] "decided in view of the above-mentioned demands not to receive Count Benedetti any more, but to have him informed by an adjutant that His Majesty had now received [from Leopold] confirmation of the news which Benedetti had already had from Paris and had nothing further to say to the ambassador. His Majesty suggests to Your Excellency that Benedetti's new demand and its rejection might well be communicated both to our ambassadors and to the Press.Bismarcks Edited Telegram"After the news of the renunciation of the Prince von Hohenzollern had been communicated to the Imperial French government by the Royal Spanish government, the French Ambassador in Ems made a further demand on His Majesty the King that he should authorize him to telegraph to Paris that His Majesty the King undertook for all time never again to give his assent should the Hohenzollerns once more take up their candidature. His Majesty the King thereupon refused to receive the Ambassador again and had the latter informed by the adjutant of the day that His Majesty had no further communication to make to the Ambassador."The Franco-Prussian WarThe insult led Napoleon to declare war on PrussiaFighting began on July 19, 1870The southern German states allied with PrussiaThe Prussians easily defeated the French

The Prussians surrounded Paris, set up their HQ at the Palace of Versailles, to the SW, and were able to bombard much of the city with Krupps' big new cannons.

Starved of news and communications with the rest of France, the city used the unused main-line railway stations and its precious reserves of coal-gas to make paper balloons, which volunteers used to take post out past the Prussians - a hazardous one-way trip. Franco-Prussian WarAll German states joined in a war against FranceOverwhelming German victoryResults of WarFrench Empire collapsesThird Republic declaredFrance loses Alsace-LorraineFrance pays Germany 5,000,000,000 francsFrance accspts an army of occupationPolitical Cartoons of Frances Defeat

Louis Napoleon as a friend of death.

Punch Magazine, 1870Germans abusing French

The German EmpireJanuary 18, 1871William I proclaimed Emperor of the Germans at VersaillesProclamation of the German Empire

Coronation of Wilhelm I

German Princes Swearing Allegiance to William I

1871Formation of an EmpireIn 1871 William I assumed the title of Kaiser of a united GermanyHis kingdom stretched form the Baltic Sea in the north to the Alps in the southBismarck became the German chancellorThe new empire united 25 German states into one federal unionEach state had its own ruler, armies, and diplomatic staffsGerman Empire 1871

Formation of an EmpireThe Kaiser headed the national governmentHe had authority to:Make appointmentsCommand the military in time of warDetermine foreign policyPrussian Junkers now shared power with wealthy industrialists"Nothing can be more absurd than the practice that prevails in our country of men and women not following the same pursuits with all their strengths and with one mind, for thus, the state instead of being whole is reduced to half." -PlatoA constitution proposed by Bismarck and a two house legislature was set up for the Second Reich. The two houses were made up of the Bundersat (upper house) and the Reichstag (lower house). The houses were elected by rulers of German states and universal male suffrage.

Otto von Bismarck, 1886.German Unification Timeline1870 - Franco-Prussian War;France losesAlsace-Lorraine1848 Revolution & Frankfurt Parliament1844 Zollverein includes Almost all German states1862 William IBismarck appointedHead of cabinet1871: GermanEmpire Proclaimed;Bismarck appointed Chancellor

1866- 7 Weeks War; German ConfederationDissolved; Prussia takes Schleswig & Holstein1819 - Carlsbad Decrees1818 Prussia eliminates tariffs 1864 Austria &Germany defeat Denmark: Austria takes Schleswig, Prussia takes Holstein Prince Frederick and BismarckWilliams son, Prince Frederick of Prussia, was a liberal and supporter of reformFrederick deplored the means Bismarck used to bring about unification in GermanyHe wrote in his diaryWe are no longer looked upon at the innocent victims of wrong, but rather as arrogant victors.Frederick foresaw the consequences of Bismarcks policies, but did nothing to change themPrince Frederick

Bismarck and the ChurchBismarck faced the KulturkampfKulturkampf cultural struggle between Church and stateCatholics in Germany organized the Center party to represent their interests in opposition to Protestant PrussiansBismarck viewed Catholicism as an antinationalist force He supported the Protestants in political affairsBismarck and the ChurchA proclamation made by Catholic bishops in Rome in 1870This doctrine stated that the pope, when speaking on matters of faith and morals, was infallible, or free from errorThis worried BismarckHe launched a campaign against the JesuitsBismarck believed the Jesuits were papal agents working to destroy the German Empire.Bismarck expelled the Jesuits from Germany in 1872Bismarck and the Catholics

Jesuit Being Disemboweled

May LawsIn 1873 German legislature passed a series of laws aimed at destroying Catholic influence in Germany called May LawsThe laws deprived Catholic bishops of much of their authorityRequired that weddings be performed by secular officialsPope Pius IX declared the laws invalid and broke diplomatic ties with GermanyPope Pius IX

Bismarck and the ChurchAfter the pope declared the laws invalid Bismarck realized he was fighting a losing battleInstead of trying to weaken the Center party he began to strengthen itIn the legislative elections of 1877, the Center party gained even more seatsThe Junker-controlled Conservative party began to oppose Bismarcks policiesBismarck and the ChurchBismarck knew that he needed support from the Center party to defeat a challenge from the SocialistsHe sought to make peace with the CatholicsPope Pius IX died in 1878 and his successor, Leo XIII, made an effort to heal the rift with GermanyThe German legislature repealed most laws directed against the CatholicsBy 1881 the Kulturkampf was overPope Leo XIII

Industrial GrowthGermanys position as major political and military power depended on a strong economyGerman political and business leaders worked to expand the nations industryEstablished Zollverein encouraged economic growth and spurred efforts to improve transportationInvestment capital from other countries helped to modernize industrial production and establish a mechanized factory systemGermany 1871

Industrial GrowthThe development of deep-pit coal mining and the opening of new coal mines made available large reserves of cheap fuel for new plantsCities grew rapidlyYoung men and women streamed in from the villages to find work in factoriesThe economic changes in Germany led to the highest standard of living in EuropeFoundry in Germany

Krupp, Germany

Workers and SocialismWorkers looked forward to a democratic social order in which they would no longer be exploitedFerdinand Lassalle founded the Universal German Workingmens Association in 1863Lassalle called himself a socialist and a disciple of Karl Marx, but did not preach revolutionLassalle advocated mass political action to change the systemBismarck and the SocialistsThe support given to (socialists by workers) rests on the fact that the judgment of the masses is sufficiently stultified and undeveloped to allow them, with the assistance of their own greed, to be continually caught by the rhetoric of clever and ambitious (socialist) leaders. Ferdinand Lassalle

Workers and SocialismLassalle was a national celebrity who knew Bismarck and lectured him on workers plightHe was killed in a duel in 1864He did not live to finish his fightThe party he founded grew slowly until it merged with the Social Democratic party in 1875This helped it to become a major political forceBismarck and the SocialistsBismarck believed that any Socialist party was out to change the government Socialists therefore posed a serious threat to the German Empire in Bismarcks mindBismarck set out to destroy the Socialist movement in GermanyIn 1878 the German legislature passed on an anti-Socialist bill introduced by BismarckThe bill banned all Socialist meetings and publicationsIndustrial GrowthThe middle class and business leaders benefited enormously from the rapid industrializationWorkers faced lower wages and higher unemployment with every improvement in factory machineryWorkers lived in crowded, filthy tenements and toiled long hours under dangerous working conditionsBismarck and the SocialistsBismarcks efforts to suppress the Socialists met with only temporary successHe changed his tacticsHe tried to show the workers that the government had their true interests at heartBismarck directed the passage of several bills that gave workers some measure of comfort and securityIn 1883 the Sickness Insurance Law gave limited compensation to those who missed work because of illnessIn 1998 the Old Age Insurance Law protected industrial workers in retirementBismarck and the SocialistsBismarcks reform efforts did not go far enough to end the popularity of the SocialistsIn 1890 the Social Democratic party won 35 seats in the legislatureThe party refused to renew Bismarcks anti-socialist lawThe Fall of BismarckIn 1888 Kaiser William I died at the age of 91Prince Frederick was crowned Kaiser About 100 days after his coronation Frederick II diedWilliam II, Fredericks son, succeeded him in 1888William II was only 29 years old when he took the throneHe was a man of great energy and strong conservative opinionsThe Fall of BismarckWilliam II favored militarism, support for a powerful military prepared for warHis belief in the absolute authority of the emperor brought him into conflict with BismarckBismarck often got his way by threatening to resignIn 1890 William II accepted Bismarcks resignationThe Fall of BismarckBismarcks policies had kept Germany strongHis strict rule prevented the development of a parliamentary democracyWith Bismarck gone, William II was free to pursue his own policiesDuring William IIs reign Germany became one of the worlds major industrial and military powersWilliam II of Prussia