German Unification Vocab stupid brainscape AI (it sucks and didn't do it properly) Flashcards
Who was Napoleon III?
Leader of France in the Franco-Prussian War.
Who was Frederick Wilhelm IV?
Prussian king who promised a constitution and reforms but later banned publications and organizations supporting democracy.
What significant role did Wilhelm I play?
He became king of Prussia in 1861, appointed Otto Von Bismarck as Prime Minister, and was proclaimed Kaiser of the German Empire in 1871.
What does the title ‘Kaiser’ refer to?
Title for the Emperor of Germany.
Who was Otto von Bismarck?
Chancellor of Prussia from 1862 until 1871, he led Prussia to victories against Austria and France and was responsible for the creation of the German Empire.
What was the German Confederation?
An association of German states established at the Congress of Vienna that replaced the Holy Roman Empire from 1815 to 1866.
What was the North German Confederation?
A new political organization created after the Austria-Prussian War, under Prussian rulership, marking a major step towards German unification.
What was Prussia known for?
A strong military state in northern Germany, a leading state in the Zollverein, and a key player in German unification after 1850.
What was Austria’s role in the German Confederation?
A strong military state in southern Germany, controlled by conservative leadership plagued by ethnic divisions and nationalist unrest.
What was the Frankfurt Parliament?
An unsuccessful attempt to unify Germany in 1848, which alienated various political groups and offered the crown to Frederick Wilhelm IV.
What are the Carlsbad Decrees?
(1819) Repressive laws limiting freedom of speech and dissemination of liberal ideas in German universities.
What was the purpose of the Concert of Europe?
A series of alliances among European nations to prevent revolutions and maintain a balance of power, created at the Congress of Vienna.
What was the Zollverein?
The free trade zone created by German states in the early 19th century, excluding Austria.
What was the Danish War (1864)?
A conflict where Austria and Prussia defeated Denmark over Schleswig-Holstein, leading to Prussia controlling Schleswig and Austria controlling Holstein.
What was the outcome of the Austro-Prussian War (1866)?
Prussia allied with Italy against Austria, won, and created the North German Confederation.
What triggered the Franco-Prussian War (1870)?
Bismarck provoked the war using the Ems Telegram, unifying the North German Confederation and independent German states against a common enemy.
What does ‘Radical’ mean in a political context?
Favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms, generally associated with the working class and supporting socialism or communism.
What does ‘Liberal’ mean?
Favoring Enlightenment-style reforms, especially written constitutions and increased voting rights, generally associated with the middle class.
What does ‘Conservative’ refer to?
A belief in absolute monarchy and maintaining power in the hands of traditional elites, typically associated with the upper-class nobility.
Who were the Junkers?
Prussian landowning nobility.
What was the Hambach Festival?
A cultural/nationalist festival in Germany that also supported liberal political ideas and was repressed by Prussian and Austrian elites.
Who was Otto von Manteuffel?
Prime minister of Prussia before Bismarck, who worked to increase the industrial revolution in Germany.
What was the Erfurt Union (1850)?
Prussia’s first attempt to unify Germany without Austria.
What was the Humiliation of Olmutz?
Prussia was forced to accept Austrian dominance and recognize Austria’s superior military.
What were the Hungry 40’s?
A period of poor harvests, rising rent, and increasing unemployment in Europe.
What is a tariff?
A tax on imported goods.
What is nationalism?
A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one’s country.
What is the significance of Berlin?
Capital of Germany.
What was the Ems Telegram?
A telegram altered by Bismarck to provoke France into declaring war, leading to the Franco-Prussian War.
What was the Blood and Iron speech?
A speech by Bismarck in 1862 emphasizing that power comes from blood and iron, not debates or laws.
What did the Treaty of Prague accomplish?
It ended the Seven Weeks’ War and required Austria to remove itself from German affairs.
What was the Indemnity Bill (1867)?
A bill that legitimized Bismarck’s unconstitutional collection of taxes to modernize the army.
What is a Landtag?
A representative assembly in the Kingdom of Prussia formed in 1849.
What was the Hohenzollern candidature?
The proposal of Leopold, nephew of King Wilhelm I, as the new king of Spain, which was rejected by France.
What was the Crimean War?
A conflict between Russia and the Ottomans, where Austria’s failure to support Russia led to Russia ceasing support for Austria against Prussia.
What was promised to Italy in return for their help in the Austro-Prussian War?
Venice.
What was the Dreyse Rifle?
A rapid-firing firearm that gave Prussians an advantage in the Austro-Prussian War.
