Key question 3 germany Flashcards
What were Bismarck’s main aims for Prussia between 1862 and 1866?
Bismarck aimed to strengthen Prussia’s dominance in Germany, weaken Austrian influence, and unify Germany under Prussian leadership.
How did Bismarck intend to weaken Austria’s influence in Germany?
By provoking conflicts that would isolate Austria diplomatically and eventually lead to war, ensuring Prussia’s dominance.
What role did military power play in Bismarck’s strategy?
Bismarck believed in ‘blood and iron’—using military strength to achieve political goals, demonstrated by his army reforms and the wars he engineered.
Why did Bismarck provoke a war with Denmark in 1864?
To gain control over Schleswig and Holstein, which would later create tensions with Austria and justify a war against them.
What was the significance of the Treaty of Gastein (1865)?
It temporarily settled the Schleswig-Holstein dispute but created tensions between Austria and Prussia, which Bismarck later used to justify war.
How did Bismarck manipulate events to provoke the Austro-Prussian War?
He ensured Austria was diplomatically isolated, stirred tensions over Schleswig-Holstein, and used the Treaty of Gastein to create a pretext for war.
Why was the Austro-Prussian War (1866) important for Bismarck’s aims?
It ended Austrian dominance in German affairs and established Prussia as the leading German power.
What was the outcome of the Austro-Prussian War (1866)?
Prussia won decisively, leading to Austria’s exclusion from German affairs and the creation of the North German Confederation.
Why did Bismarck choose to treat Austria leniently after the war?
To avoid long-term hostility and keep Austria as a potential ally in future conflicts, especially against France.
What was the significance of the North German Confederation (1867)?
It was a major step toward German unification, placing northern Germany under Prussian leadership.
How did Bismarck’s domestic policies support his foreign ambitions?
He ignored the Prussian Parliament’s opposition to military spending, ruling through decree to strengthen the army for future wars.
What was Bismarck’s attitude toward German nationalism between 1862 and 1866?
He used nationalism strategically to gain support for Prussian expansion, but his primary goal was Prussian dominance, not liberal unity.
How did Bismarck’s actions between 1862 and 1866 lay the groundwork for full German unification?
By removing Austria as a rival and establishing Prussian leadership, he set the stage for the Franco-Prussian War and unification in 1871.
What was Bismarck’s famous ‘blood and iron’ speech about?
He argued that military strength, not parliamentary debate, would determine Prussia’s future and achieve German unification.
Why did Bismarck not immediately unify all of Germany in 1866?
He wanted to consolidate Prussian power first and wait for an opportunity to bring southern Germany under Prussian control.
How did Bismarck use diplomacy to achieve his aims?
He formed key alliances (e.g., with Italy), ensured France and Russia remained neutral, and manipulated crises to justify war.
What was Bismarck’s view of liberalism and democracy?
He saw them as obstacles to Prussian dominance and often bypassed parliament to implement his policies.
Why did Bismarck need war to achieve his goals?
Prussia needed to demonstrate military superiority over Austria and unite Germans around Prussian leadership.
How did Bismarck’s actions in 1862–1866 reflect Realpolitik?
He pursued pragmatic policies, using war, diplomacy, and manipulation to achieve his goals without ideological constraints.
Question
Answer
What was Bismarck’s approach to the German Confederation in 1862?
Bismarck aimed to weaken the German Confederation by excluding Austria and creating a new, Prussian-dominated structure.
Why did Bismarck focus on strengthening the Prussian army?
He believed that military strength was crucial for achieving Prussia’s goals of unifying Germany and asserting dominance over Austria.
How did Bismarck handle the issue of Schleswig-Holstein after the war with Denmark in 1864?
Bismarck skillfully used the issue of Schleswig-Holstein to create tension between Austria and Prussia, eventually leading to war with Austria.
What was Bismarck’s goal in dealing with the southern German states in the 1860s?
He aimed to secure their eventual inclusion in a united Germany under Prussian leadership, but only after defeating Austria.
How did Bismarck manipulate the relationship between Austria and Prussia after the 1864 war?
Bismarck used the joint control of Schleswig-Holstein as a source of tension, creating divisions that led to the Austro-Prussian War.
What was Bismarck’s attitude toward the Austrian monarchy during the period of 1862–1866?
He saw the Austrian monarchy as a hindrance to German unification and sought to remove Austria from German affairs without causing lasting animosity.
What role did Bismarck’s handling of the Schleswig-Holstein crisis play in his wider plan?
It helped to create divisions between Austria and Prussia, setting the stage for a conflict that would weaken Austria’s influence in Germany.
