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TOPIC 3

Task 1

1.

Draw the map of Italy and

Germany before and after de unification

2. What did nationalism mean in XIXth century?

3. Explain briefly the three waves of European revolutions during XIXth

century

4. What was the German Confederation?

5. Who was Otto von Bismarck?

6. What was the Zollverin?

7. Explain briefly the Franco-Prussian War

8. What was the Zweite Reich

9. In XIXth century, Italy was made up of _____ states: __________________

10.Who were the Count Cavour, Victor Manuel and Garibaldi?

(Germany and Italy before

unification)

(Germany and Italy after unification)

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The Congress of Vienna established an Absolutist Europe, but the

revolutionary, liberal and nationalist spirit was unstoppable. Therefore,

during the nineteenth century there were at least three waves of revolutions

that were dismantling the system of the Congress of Vienna.

In 1820 the liberal revolution (for instance, in Spain) was appeased by

the absolutist armies. Only in Greece and in some American colonies

succeeded.

Between 1830 and 1835 there was a strong attempt to end the old

regime. This revolution had more popular support: France, Belgium,

Poland and the UK.

In 1848 came the third wave of revolution. This revolution strongly

defended democratic ideals (universal suffrage, popular sovereignty,

equality ...). The main focuses were Austria, Hungary, Bohemia,

northern Italy and the Germanic confederation

Nationalism defends the right of nations to rule and to decide bythemselves. (Nation means a group of individuals who have a common

culture -language, religion, traditions, etc- and want to live in common)

The map of Europe took on a different look after 1848. The period of

revolutions was over and, from now on, most of the liberals and the

nationalists in Europe began to cooperate with their governments rather

than trying to overthrow them. In turn, many governments found that by

agreeing to certain liberal reforms, and adapting the demands of the

nationalists to their needs, they could actually make their states stronger,

not weaker, as they previously feared. The second half of the 19th centurysaw a Europe dominated by a small number of powerful nation-states. As

they were not the same as those which had reshaped Europe at the

Congress of Vienna, the balance of power which had prevented war between

1815 and 1854 was upset. The creation of two new states, the growth of

international tension, wars and the formation of two of hostile alliances were

to set the scene for the greatest and bloodiest conflict the world had ever

known - World War 1.

Germany

Germany is a relatively modern state. In the mid nineteenth centuryGermany was a collection of 36 smaller states that were linked as a German

Confederation. This confederation was dominated by Austria, which as a

large imperial power was politically and economically superior to the smaller

Germanic states. In the 1860's the dominance of Austria was challenged by

Prussia and the process of unification and codification of German law began.

For example, Prussia imposed the Zollverin customs union, an agreement

amongst the German states to have preferential customs policies for

member states. This economic union excluded Austria.

In 1870, the Prussian chancellor Otto von Bismarck set out to achieve theunion by using the war strength. Between 1866 and 1870 relations between

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Prussia and France worsened. In 1870, frustrated by the Prussian attitude to

the issue of candidacy for the vacant throne of Spain, France declared war

on Prussia. The resulting Prussian victory was both swift and decisive. It led

to a wave of Germanic Nationalism sweeping through the whole of the

German Confederation. Following victory over France in January of 1871,

Prussia was able to persuade her partners within the German confederation

that unification was desirable. As a result, Wilhelm of Prussia was

proclaimed Emperor of Germany on January 18th, 1871. The Zweite Reich(Second German Empire) was born.

Italy

In the early nineteenth century, Italy made up of six states (Piedmont, the

Papal States, Lombardy, Veneto and Kingdom of the Two Sicilies). Only

Piedmont, with the Savoy liberal dynasty, really wanted the unification. In

addition Lombardy and Veneto were annexed by the Austrian absolute

Empire

The leader of the government of Piedmont, Count Cavour, began a war

against Austria. The result was the annexation of Lombardy. At the same

time, a nationalist movement led by Garibaldi defeated the rulers of central

and southern peninsula.

Victor Manuel was proclaimed king of Italy in 1866. Piedmont was ceded by

the Austrians in 1866 and the Papal States became part of Italy in 1870, the

year the final unification.

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