Unification of Germany Flashcards
Why was Germany not unified in 1848?
There was no agreement on how a united Germany should be run or how large Germany should be
People held meetings and demonstrations rather than use violence
German people still wanted princes
Frederick William refused the title from the Frankfurt Parliament, ending the last hope of unification
What was the Erfurt Union?
In 1849 Prussian statesman Radowitz came up with the ‘Prussian Union’ plan, excluding Austria and under Prussian leadership. There would also be a ‘German Union’, a confederation similar to the old one, which would include the new Reich and the Austrian Empire. Austrian Chief Minister Schwarzenberg saw it as a way of removing Austrian influence, but he was busy dealing with a Hungarian uprising. In March 1850, representatives from most German states met at Erfurt in Prussia. 28 states agreed to create the Prussian dominated ‘Erfurt Union’ but several were suspicious of Prussia and too fearful of Austria to agree.
What was the Frankfurt Diet?
Austrian minister Schwarzenberg, having suppressed the Hungarian revolt, was ready to reassert Austria’s position in Germany. He summoned a Diet of the Confederation, to meet in Frankfurt in May 1850. The response was good. Now there were two assemblies, both wanting to speak for Germany, the Prussian-led Erfurt Parliament and the Austrian-led Frankfurt Diet.
What happened at the uprising in Hesse-Cassel?
An uprising occurred in the state of Hesse-Cassel. Although a member of the Erfurt Union, its ruler requested help from the Frankfurt Diet, which sent Bavarian troops to restore order. The Erfurt Union dispatched Prussian troops. It looked as though there would be conflict, but Prussia backed down, worried Russia might join in on Austria’s side.
What was the Treaty of Olmutz?
After Prussia backed down over Hesse-Cassel, Frederick William, King of Prussia, agreed to abolish the Erfurt Union as part of the Treaty of Olmutz. It was a big victory for Austria. Schwarzenberg quickly proposed a new union, an Austria-dominated ‘Middle Europe’, incorporating 70,000,000 people of the German states along with the Habsburg empire. This proposal was rejected and in May 1851 the state representatives decided to restore the old confederation instead.
How was Prussia strengthened?
Chief Minister Otto von Manteuffel decided to concentrate on Prussian affairs, wanting to strengthen the country and reduce the chance of revolution by improving living conditions. He imposed press censorship. Industrial production, railway building and foreign trade doubled. He looked at expanding the Zollverein to include Austria, but they rejected it.
How did Prussia change its relationships with other countries before 1860?
When the Crimean War began, they decided to stay on good terms with Russia instead of fighting them like Austria. In 1858, when Piedmont and France went to war with Austria, they sided with Austria, in return for a promise to allow Prussia to become the dominant German state, but this came to nothing.
What was the problem with the Army Reform bill?
After Frederick William died in 1861, his brother Wilhelm I became king. He set about strengthening Prussia’s army. He proposed a bill to double its size, increase the period of service, reducing the role of the civilian militia and re-equipping the troops. Wilhelm wanted to take full control of the army but parliament had financial control. In 1860, parliament would only agree to approve the increased military budget for one year. Annoyed, Wilhelm dismissed Manteuffel and had a new parliament elected in December 1861. They would not increase the military budget at all. He dissolved parliament again, but in the following May the men he had removed were elected again and turned down the army bill.
How was the Army Reform bill problem solved?
Fearing civil war, Wilhelm made Otto von Bismarck chief minister. He withdrew the bill and declared that the support of Parliament was unnecessary as the army could be financed from taxes. The taxes were collected and the army reorganised with Parliament having no say. For the next four years Bismarck commanded the army and twice went to war without including parliament. New elections in 1863 gave parliamentary seats to even more members who disagreed with him, but Bismarck continued his plans.
What happened to Prussia’s relationship with Russia after 1860?
In 1863 revolts broke out in the Polish areas of Russia. Disliking Poles, and considering them trouble makers, Bismarck offered his support. Russia declined, but they agreed to allow Russian soldiers to enter Prussia in pursuit of Polish rebels. The friendship with Russia worried France and Britain.
What was the Schleswig-Holstein crisis?
In 1863 the Danish king died without an heir. The throne passed to distant relative Christian IX, but Schleswig and Holstein followed Salic Law and put forward the German Duke of Augustenburg to rule them. Christian IX escalated the tension by announcing that Schleswig was now part of Denmark.
How did the Schleswig-Holstein crisis develop and resolve?
The German Confederation sent an army on behalf of the Duke. Bismarck claimed he supported the Duke and persuaded Austria to help him. Independently, both Austria and Prussia sent troops against Denmark. Christian IX gave up his claim on Schleswig and Holstein and handed them over to Austria and Prussia. Austria and the rest of the Confederacy expected power to pass to the Duke, but Bismarck only agreed while Prussia had power over him. Austria was furious but war was avoided, and in the end they agreed Austria would have Holstein and Prussia Schleswig.
How did Austro Prussian relations sour after the Schleswig-Holstein crisis?
Bismarck met Napoleon III in October 1865. Napoleon decided to stay neutral if Austria and Prussia fought, which Bismarck was happy with. Over winter 1865 Prussia gained support of several small north-German states, while the largest ones sided with Austria. In April 1866 Italy allied with Prussia. Austria started mobilising forces, so Prussia did as well. Austria appealed to the Confederation on 1st June 1866 to settle Schleswig and Holstein’s futures. According to Bismarck, this broke their agreement, and he sent troops to occupy Holstein. This did not lead to war. On 10th June, Bismarck proposed the Confederation be reorganised to exclude Austria. The next day, Austria asked the Diet to reject the plan and prepare for war, which they did. Prussia withdrew from the Confederation, declared it dissolved and asked states to fight with them against Austria. Most began mobilising troops against Prussia. Bismarck told Hanover, Hesse-Cassel, and Saxony to become its ally, but they refused, so he invaded and forced them to ally.
Why was Prussia stronger than Austria?
Prussian military expenditure had doubled since 1860, while in Austria it had halved, so Prussia had better equipment, including guns that fired five times faster than Austrian ones
Austria faced a threat of revolt by the Italian states it ruled
Only one Austrian railway line led from Austria to Bohemia, while five ran from Prussia to Bohemia
What happened in the Austro Prussian war?
Prussia advanced troops into Bohemia. Its railways meant they could move faster, but ran a risk of dividing them. Austria missed the opportunity it presented and the two armies met at Koniggratz in July 1866. The Prussians had the stronger position here. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Austria quickly asked for a peace treaty. Wilhelm wanted to continue, but Bismarck insisted they sign it, fearing other countries might intervene. Prussia gained Holstein and gave Italy Venetia.
