IB History HL - Unification of Germany (Content)

Bismarck, Metternich and the Congress of Vienna; Material about the HL topic on the German unification of 1871 and the 1815 Congress of Vienna.

Otto von Bismarck

Prussian statesman and first chancellor of Germany; Appointed as Prussian PM in 1862 by Wilhelm I

• He was a product of the 1848 revolutions: a master media manipulator who exploited the power of nationalism

Klemens von Metternich

Austrian diplomat and statesman; key figure in the Congress of Vienna and advocate for the balance of power in Europe.

(Kaiser) Wilhelm I

King of Prussia from 1861 until he became the Kaiser of Germany in 1871; supported Bismarck’s policies

Frederick William III

King of Prussia from 1797 to 1840; Ruled Prussia during the Napoleonic Wars

• Signed military alliance with Russia and Austria in 1813 → aided in the German campaign (1813) which resulted in the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte

Fredrick William IV

King of Prussia from 1850 to 1861 (when he died); Oversaw Prussia during the immediate after shocks of the 1848 revolutions

Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern

Cousin to Wilhelm I and proposed candidate to the Spanish throne following the Spanish Revolution in 1868.

His candidacy resulted in the Ems Dispatch in 1870 and escalating tensions between France and Prussia.

General Moltke

Chief of the Prussian and German General staff; Key figure in the victories of the Unification → developed modern military strategies;

• Fought in the Second Schleswig War

• Planned and executed military strategy for the Austrian-Prussian War (Seven weeks war)

• Led the Prussian forces in the Franco Prussian War

Emperor Napoleon III

President of France from 1848 to 1852, then Emperor of France until his deposition in 1870 by the Franco-Prussian War

Junkers

Landowning aristocracy from Prussia and East Germany

• Backbone to the Prussian military; conservative beliefs aligned with Bismarck’s strategies for unification

They staffed the Prussian army but were generally opposed to unification as it would limit their influence

Revanchisme

A political ideology that aims to aggressively reclaim lost territory; in this case, it referred to Alsace-Lorraine, which France lost to Prussia

• It is generally regarded as “vengeful”

Napoleonic Wars

Series of Conflicts between 1803 and 1815, led by Napoleon Bonaparte (France) and his conquest to conquer Europe.

• There was a period of French domination of Central Europe, however Napoleon was eventually defeated

• Napoleon notably occupied the Confederation of the Rhine

• Defeated at the Battle of Waterloo (1815) [ABBA mentioned!!]

Effects of the Napoleonic Wars

Rise of Nationalism → national identity and union was fueled by resistance to French Domination

Reorganisation of Territory → Dissolved the Confederation of the Rhine, created the German Confederation

Spread of Enlightenment ideas with the Napoleonic Code

The Congress of Vienna and the call for the European Balance of Power

Congress of Vienna 1815

Aimed to establish peace and order in Europe following the Napoleonic wars; led and organised by Metternich:

• Prussia is given Westphalia

• The German Confederation is established

• Redefined the ~300 German states into the German Confederation (39 states + Prussia/parts of Austria)

Prussia was forced to cede much of its Polish territory, gained Saxony; this was beneficial for unification because it consolidated ethnic groups

Balance of Power

Aimed at preventing a single nation from growing too powerful (as France did in the Napoleonic Wars)

Ensure a period of peace/limit the scale of wars

• Containment of France

• Concert of Europe (maintain territorial boundaries)

• Alliances → Holy alliance and Quadruple Alliance

The German Confederation (1815-1866)

Association of 39 predominantly German-speaking states (included Prussia and parts of Austria)

• Proposed by Metternich and created by the Congress of Vienna 1815

Operated through a federal Diet in Frankfurt upon which Metternich exerted significant influence → used it to suppress extremist ideas (nationalism and extremism)

• Carlsbad Decrees 1819

Metternich used the German Confederation to work against Prussian dominance and keep Bismarck in check

Carlsbad Decrees 1819-1848

Primarily imposed by Klemens von Metternich; series of repressive measures to suppress nationalist and liberal movements throughout the German Confederation

• Press and student censorships

• Permit the removal of teachers who taught ‘harmful ideologies’

• Encouraged resentment and a reactionary style of social unrest directed at Austria → Nationalism grew

Hambach Festival (1832)

Called for unity, freedom and democracy; held at Hambach Castle with 20,000 - 30,000 attendants;

• Influence on the Vormärz era (1815-1848, a period of unrest in Germany calling for reforms

• Sparked a wave of suppression but paved the way for the 1848 revolutions

Signs that radicals were growing more bold and Carlsbad decrees were becoming draconian

The Zollverein 1834

Also referred to as the “The German Custom’s Union,” it facilitated economic unity for the German Confederation

Measured, weights, and currencies were standardised + internal tariffs were abolished

Prussia held strong influence over the Zollverein → Austria was deliberately excluded (also, Austria’s industry was weak and needed tariffs which the Zollverein didn’t have)

Created a free trade area throughout the Germany

Economic Nationalism - industrialism increased (Prussia produced coal, Silesia produced iron), Railway system connecting German states

Ideas of Enlightenment

Immanuel Kant, Alexander von Humboldt, Karl Marx → Shaped philosophical traditions

• Reforms in science, education, and administration (somewhat contributed to the revolutions in 1841)

• Emphasis on rationality and national identity provided the intellectual foundation for social and political change

General criticism of the Status Quo; Ideas of ‘Laissez-faire’ (less gov. intervention w/ economy) were popular

Growth of liberalism comes out of the philosophical ideas of secularism, equality, and freedom of thought

• Industrialisation broke down traditional hierarchies

Rising tensions amid Prussia and Austria

Particularly between Austria and Prussia

• Prussia was Protestant, Austria was Catholic; following growing liberal ideas (Vormärz) it became apparent that Conservative Catholicism was incompatible with liberal gov.

• Religious tensions also resulted in southern German states being excluded from Bismarck’s North German Confederation

Revolutions of 1848

Also known as ‘Springtime of Nations,’ these were a series of revolts against European monarchies; Started in Sicily before spreading to France, Austria, Italy, and Germany (not yet unified)

• Driven by combination of demands reform and social unrest

• Sparked nationalist pursuits, particularly important for the unification of Germany (Pan-Germanism)

• The revolutions burned out quickly and most were quelled within a few months of starting up

Metternich was unable to prevent the rebellions and was forced to resign (decline of Austrian influence → he was a vital statesman for Austrian foreign affairs)

Frankfurt Parliament (1849) → Developed the Paulskirche Constitution but Fredrick IV, who was offered the imperial throne, rejected it, calling it “a crown from the gutter”

First Schleswig War (1848-1851)

Fought over the Schleswig-Holstein question (Danish or German); There was a nationalist uprising in Holstein that spread to Schleswig, supported by Austria and Prussia

• Nationalists called for the independence of S-H and their union to the German Confederation

• King Fredrick VII (Danish) defended his claim to the duchies

• Treaty of London (1852) → Recognises Denmark’s claim

Second Schleswig War 1864

Between Denmark and the allied Kingdom of Prussia and the Austrian Empire;

• Triggered by succession conflict, the joint ties of the territories to Germany and Denmark resulted in tension

• Defeat of Denmark and the signing of the Treaty of Vienna (1964) → ceding of Schleswig and Holstein (and Laurenburg) to Austria and Prussia

• Conflict led to the Austrian-Prussian War of 1866

Prussian-Austrian War 1866

Also referred to as the “Seven Weeks War;” Following the Schleswig Holstein War of 1864, was fought between Austria and Prussia over disputing claims about S-H

• Prussia’s victory expelled Austria from Germany, allowing Prussia to become the dominant state and influence unification

Bismarck allied with Italy, which diverted some Austrian troops to the south.

Prussia’s modernised military discipline helped it prevail over Austria.

Napoleon III was pressured into being more demanding → requested the Saarland

• Bismarck told the South who accepted Prussia’s military protection

• Bismarck manoeuvred a military alliance with the south, who were more closely tied to Austria (Catholic) → diminish Austrian influence

The Treaty of Prague 1866

Officially ended the Austro-Prussian War (the Seven Weeks War); Dissolved the German Confederation and created the North German Confederation → Excluded Austria and southern German states

*Primarily, it eliminated Austria’s influence from German Affairs, allowing Prussia to lead the unification process*

(Minor impacts on the Italian peninsula: Venetia was ceded from Austria to France, who gave it to Italy → solidified unification)

The North German Confederation (1867-1870)

Initially a military alliance led by the Kingdom of Prussia; it explicitly excluded Austria, who had been in the previous German Confederation → Prussia was now more influential over Germany than Austria

• The Confederation had a bicameral [two chamber] legislation: the Reichstag and the Bundesrat

The Reichstag was popularly elected (universal suffrage for men) while the upper house, the Bundesrat, was formed of appointed officials who would represent state interests → Laws passed needed approval from both

• Wilhelm I (King of Prussia) wielded considerable power, he directed the military, could make treaties and appoint the chancellor

• The Reichstag was limited to fiscal matters [reduced influence]

• Prussia had high representation due to size in the Bundesrat

Ems Dispatch / Telegram 1870

In response to the proposed candidacy of Leopold Hohenzollern, Franz sent a diplomat to Ems to request Wilhelm I not to follow through.

Wilhelm I sent a telegram from Ems to Bismarck, detailing the meeting. Bismarck altered the text, making the French seem more aggressive and demanding.

This allowed Prussia to be seen not as aggressors while still provoking France into war.

“Wave a red rag in front of the Gallic bull” - Bismarck

Franco-Prussian War (1870 - 1871)

Between France and the coalition of German States led by Prussia

• Prussian victory and annexation of Alsace-Lorraine

• Germany had superior military logistics and training (literate army, could read maps)

• Prussian forces led by General Moltke

• France could not present a unified front (had to sent troops on railways)

• Siege of Paris (Sep. 1970 - Jan. 1971)

Bismarck’s strategy

The famous description “Blood and iron,” coined by Bismarck himself, referred to shrewd diplomacy and leverage through military might

• Realpolitik: pragmatic approach to foreign policy that prioritises national interests

• Consolidation of Prussian power and increase in military

Diplomacy: Bismarck built alliances that isolated Prussia’s enemies. He antagonised/provoked other nations and engineered conflicts.

Excluding Austria as an influence over Germany

Used German nationalism to create a ‘German identity’ and encourage support for unification

• Also, finding common enemies (particularly in the Franco-Prussian War 1870)

Treaty of Frankfurt 1871

Ended the Franco-Prussian War → factor for Revanchisme

Signed by Bismarck and Jules Favre (French foreign minister); Terms: Alsace-Lorraine was ceded to Germany, France had to pay 5 million Francs as reparations

Reasons for French defeat

Generally, France was unprepared militaristically when facing Germany; they had severely underestimated their opponent

• France’s locomotives and railways were inefficient, prevented a unified front

• Obsolete military [particularly when it came to artillery weaponry]; Military was not modernised

• Napoleon III faced internal strife and tribulation, preventing him from effectively executing a war

Prussian Military advantages

Following the Napoleonic Era, the Prussian military grew more merit based → Soldiers were effective and well-trained with strong generals; The military was also very disciplined

• Canton system: A system of conscription which ensured a steady flow of soldiers

Bismarck did go against the Parliment and used taxes to fund the military

The army was also literate, meaning that it could read maps and letters (faster direction)

Railway system was efficient, helped develop unified fronts for war

Conflicts around the Alsace-Lorraine territory

Germany annexed Alsace-Lorraine during the Franco-Prussian War, resulting in lasting resentment and a rise in Revanchisme

• Became a source of anti-German sentiment (Note France’s harsh terms directed at Germany in the Treaty of Versailles 1919)

• Fueled nationalistic sentiments on both sides → escalated tensions

Short term effects of unification

France:

• Revanchisme for Alsace-Lorraine

• Paris Commune overthrows Second French Republic

Germany (First German Reich):

• Became dominant power in Continental Europe

• Rivalry w/ Austria-Hungary for dominant German state

• Unified economic system

Long term effects of unification

Upset the balance of European powers outline by C. of Vienna (1815)

• Tension throughout Europe bc of Germany’s newfound might

• France is particularly bitter

Strong nationalistic viewpoints, Germany unified through war and nationalism → attempted to continue its conquest in Africa (Moroccan Crisis)

Militarism grew in importance, large militaries were reasons fro national pride → Germany involves itself in arms races (Naval arms race with Britain)

• Massive armies (militarism) as a cause for WW1

Timeline of Events