Nationalism Force to unite Germany

Question 1

Germany Post-Congress of Vienna

Answer 1

● Following the Congress of Vienna, 39 German States formed the German Confederation.
● Austria and Prussia dominated the Confederation

Question 2

Prussian Demographics

Answer 2

Prussian advantages:
● Mainly German population
● Most powerful army in
Europe (emerging)
● Industrialized faster than
other German states
● Rich resources in the
Rhineland

Question 3

Conflict is brewing…

Answer 3

In 1848, the “Springtime of the Peoples” occurred
• As a result, Prussia created a liberal constitution to limit the power of the King.

Question 4

Leaders of Unification

Answer 4

King Wilhelm I (King of Prussia)
Supported by the Junkers:
- Wealthy landowning class
- Strongly conservative and
opposed liberal ideas.
- Appointed Otto Von Bismarck
as Prime Minister with hope that he would oppose Parliament

Question 5

Leaders of Unification

Answer 5

Otto von Bismarck (aka The Iron Chancellor)
Conservative Junker
- Prime Minister 1862
- “it is not by speeches and
majority resolutions that the great questions of the time are decided…but by iron and blood.” (1862)

Question 6

• Carl von Clausewitz

Answer 6

“War is merely the continuation of politik by other means”

Question 7

Steps to German Unification: WAR

Answer 7

● 1864: Prussia/Austria vs. Denmark (Prussia/Austria win)
● 1866: Prussia vs. Austria (Prussia wins)
● 1870-71: Prussia vs. France (Shocker, Prussia Wins!)

Question 8

Why All This War?

Answer 8

Express purposes of the wars:
- Bring German speaking
territories under the banner
of Prussia
- Instill a sense of nationalism
within the new German
Empire
- Establish Germany as a
leading power in the European sphere

Question 9

Realpolitik

Answer 9

Realpolitik: Realism in politics
- Exemplified by Bismarck’s speeches
and practices
- All decisions based on practical
objectives, not ideals
- Pragmatic and no nonsense
- Not based on an overarching ideology, morality, or ethical code
- I want to do something, I will do whatever it takes to get it done

Question 10

The New German Empire

Answer 10

Following Franco-Prussian war, the German Empire is proclaimed in 1871
- Named the Second Reich
- Wilhelm II serves as the first
Kaiser (Emperor)
- Bismarck serves as the first
Chancellor

Question 11

The New Balance of Power

Answer 11

The Congress of Vienna established five Great Powers in Europe: Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia.
By 1871, however, Britain and Germany were clearly the most powerful. The European balance of power had broken down.