Zollverein
An economic union created by Prussia that dismantled tariff barriers between German states
Otto von Bismarck
Prime Minister of Prussia who became chancellor. He united the German states under Prussian rule using his "blood and iron" policy
"blood and iron"
The policy that stated that issues would not be settled by a majority vote of parliamentary debate but through violence
Realpolitik
Realistic politics based on the needs of the state. In this form of politics, power was more important than principles
Austro-Prussian War
Bismarck and his army attacked Austria and the following war lasted seven weeks
Schleswig-Holstein Affair
Austria and Prussia seized and "liberated" provinces in Denmark
Franco-Prussian War
a conflict between the Second French Empire and later the Third French Republic, and the German states of the North German Confederation led by the Kingdom of Prussia, caused by Prussian ambitions to extend German unification and French fears of the shift in the European balance of power that would result if the Prussians succeeded; results in an overwhelming Prussian victory.
Ems Dispatch
A telegram released to the press reporting on a meeting between King William I and a French ambassador. This telegram was rewritten by Bismarck to make it seem like King William had insulted the Frenchman.
Bundesrat
The "upper house" of a two-house legislature that was appointed by the rulers of German states.
Reichstag
The "lower house" of a two-house legislature that was elected by universal male suffrage.
The House of Krupp
an enormous industrial complex that produced steel and weapons for a world market
Auguste Thyssen
business tycoon, the "Rockefeller of the Ruhr," who built a small steel factory of 70 workers into a giant empire. he literally transformed the Ruhr region into steel and coal production so that by the outbreak of World War I he was employing 50,000 workers and producing one million tons of steel and iron a year. A firm believer in vertical organization, with his own railroads, ships, and docks.
Kulturkampf
(1871 - 1878) "battle for civilization"; Bismarck launched a campaign against the Roman Catholics; late 1870s Bismarck recognized the failure of the compaign
Kaiser Wilhelm II
was supremely confident in his abilities and wished to put his own stamp on Germany; resisted efforts to introduce democratic reforms; his government provided programs for social welfare
Social Welfare
programs to help certain groups of people
Count Camillo Cavour
(1810-1861) politician who became the prime minister for Victor Emmanuel II and favored liberal goals. He improved agriculture and encouraged commerce by supporting free trade.
Young Italy
A secret society aiming to transform Italy into one "free, independent, republican nation"
Risorgimento
Italian nationalist movement
Sardinia-Piedmont
kingdom ruled by a constitutional monarch Victor Emmanuel II
King Victor Emmanuel
Appointed members to the upper house which would veto bills passed by the lower house.
Giuseppe Garibaldi - Red Shirts
An Italian nationalist who wanted to create an Italian republic. He accepted aid in the form of volunteers from the monarchist Cavour
anarchists
people who want to abolish all government
Francis Joseph
Emperor of the Hapsburg Empire who ruled both Austria and Hungary who granted a constitution setting up a new legislature
Ferenc Deak
A Hungarian leader who helped create the political power known as "dual monarchy"
Dual Monarchy
Under this agreement, Austria and Hungary were separate states with their own constitution and parliament, even though Francis Joseph ruled over both
"sickman of Europe"
A term used for the declining Ottoman Empire
Alexander II (Russia)
Was in the throne during the Crimean War. He represented the pattern of reform and repression.
Crimean War
Fought on the Crimean Peninsula between the Russians and the British, French and the Turks.
emancipation (of serfs)
Freeing of the lowest class of citizens, often associated with the Russian decision to do this in 1861
zemstvos
Local elected assembly set up in Russia under Alexander II
Russification
Tsar launched the program, it was aimed at suppressing the cultures of non-Russian people within the empire.
pogroms
Violent mob attacks on Jewish people
Russo-Japanese War
a military conflict when Russia was forced by Japan to abandon its expansionist policy in the far East.
Bloody Sunday
Protesters poured into streets, workers went on strike. They were striking for shorter hours and better wages
Revolution of 1905
Workers took over the local government. Peasants wanted land. Terrorists targeted officials.
Duma
Elected national legislature in Russia
Peter Stolypin
The new prime minister. Realized Russia needed a reform not just a repression. Introduced the moderate land reforms.
Benjamin Disraeli
Slowly worked to bridge together Britain's "Two Nations" and to extend democratic rights.
rotten boroughs
A Rural town in England that sent members to the parliament despite having no or few voters
Reform Act of 1832
Redistributed seats in the House of commons, which gave representation to large towns and cities along with eliminating the boroughs
Chartists
Protesters who drew up the people's charter.
Queen Victoria
She was the great symbol in the British life. Her reign was the longest in British history. Set the tone for the Victorian age.
William Gladstone
Led the Whigs who evolved into the Liberal Party
English Liberal Party
Dominated the government. Under the leadership of Prime Ministers Henry Campbell-Bannerman and Herbert Asquith they enacted an extensive reform program.
Reform Bill of 1867
Working class men were able to vote, the new law doubled the size of the electorate.
Labor Unions
These groups of workers were outlawed during the Industrial Revolution, they were made legal in 1825, but were not allowed to go on strike until later reforms were made.
Fabian Society
A small socialist group that had a strong influence in Europe was formed in 1883, they vouched for gradual change through legal means opposed to violent methods.
Labour Party
A new socialist political party that began as a small group but quickly grew in membership until later when it surpassed the Liberal party.
Emmeline Pankhurst
A leading suffargist that believed that the only way to bring about change and reform was through aggressive tactics.
"Irish Question"
An issue that disrupted English politics and caused great debate about what England should do about Irelands push for reforms.
Home Rule
a term used to describe local self government, it was what Ireland was pushing for during the Irish question.
Third French Republic
This provisional government was put in place after the Second Empire was ended, it stayed together for 70 years adn had a two party system.
Paris Commune
A group set up by rebels in 1871 that was meant to save the Republic from royalists and dreamed of creating a new socialist order.
Boulanger Crisis
1886-1889 - the "affair" led by the charismatic and radical army officer who, through his popularity and appeal to the common French citizen, won various elections and ultimately threatened to overthrow the 3rd Republic; charged with conspiracy and fled to Belgium and England; later committed suicide; his fall helped bolster support for the republic.
Dreyfus Affair
Political scandal that caused deep divisions in France between Royalists and Liberals and republicans; centered on the 1894 wrongful conviction of Alfred Dreyfus, who was a Jewish officer in the French army.
Theodor Herzl
A Hungarian Jewish journalist who lived in France. Called for Jews to form their own separate state, where they would have rights that were denied to the European countries.
Zionism
Movement that devoted to rebuilding a Jewish state in Palestine.
David Lloyd George
(1863-1945) Chancellor of the Exchequer who presented a budget that called for the tax increases to support the new programs of social insurance and naval expansion. This was then later on called the ¨People´s Budget¨.
Parliament Act of 1911
This took place in 1911 when the House of Lords could no longer refuse to pass a money bill. The act said that the House of Lords could no longer prevent the adoption of other legislation if the house of commons passed it three times in a period no less than two years.
Credit Mobilier
(1867)The government established this and the Credit Foncier to help the development of railroads, public utilities, industry, and agriculture.
J'accuse
(1898) Emile Zola wrote this article. The title means ¨I Accuse¨. It charged the army with forging evidence that convicted Dreyfus and with purposefully suppressing evidence that would vindicate him.
Alexander III
(1881-1894) A determined autocrat who ruled Russia with an iron hand. He rejected all proposals for further reform.
Nicholas II
(1894-1917) He was the son of Alexander III and he was also the last of the Romanovs to rule Russia. He was just as determined as his father to uphold the autocracy. He lacked the iron will and determination of his father.
Sergei Witte
(1849-1915) Served as minister of finance from 1892 to 1903, he played a major role in Russia´s industrialization. He put Russia on the gold standard. This attracted foreign investment.
Mensheviks
(1903) When the social Democrats split into their two rival factions. This was the moderate group and the minority.
Bolsheviks
(1903) When the social Democrats split into their two rival factions. This was the hardcore revolutionarys and the majority.
Plombieres, 1859
A secret conference arranged by Cavour with Emperor Napoleon III for French military intervention in the event of Austrian aggression against Piedmont. In return for this help Piedmont had to cede Savoy and the county of Nice to France and outlaw the Mazzinian movement.
Adolphe Thiers
First president of the third republic. His historical works include a 10 volume Histoire de la révolution française and a 20-volume Histoire du consulat et de l'empire.
Jules Ferry
French Statesman of the early third republic who was notable for his anticlerical education policy and his success in extending the French colonial empire.
Jingoism
extreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy.
Mirs
Self-governing community of peasant households that elected its own officials and controlled local forests, fisheries, hunting grounds and vacant lands,
Falloux Law
an act granting legal status to independent secondary schools in France. Under the guise of freedom of education, it restored much of the church's traditional influence.
Syllabus of Errors, 1864
a document issued by Pope Pius IX in which he condemns a total of 80 heresies, and through that openly declared Catholic Church teaching on a number of philosophical and political questions. It remains a controversial document, and has been cited on numerous occasions by both Catholic traditionalists seeking to uphold traditional Catholic values and anti-Catholics seeking to criticize the church's positions.