The Unification of Germany and the Rise of Nationalism

Napoleon

French Emperor who influenced German states' structure.

German Confederation

Alliance of German states created in 1806.

Confederation of the Rhine

Group of 16 German states under Napoleon's protection formed in 1806.

Federal Diet

Governing body managing internal affairs of the Confederation.

Duchy of Warsaw

Buffer state created from Polish territories taken from Prussia.

Peace of Schonbrunn

Treaty where Austria lost territories to Napoleon.

Landwehr

Territorial army created during Prussian reforms.

Abitur

School leaving certificate in German education system.

Wartburg Festival

First gathering for a united Germany in 1817.

Frankfurt National Assembly

Met in 1848 to draft a constitution for Germany.

Grossdeutsch movement

Advocated for Austria's inclusion in a united Germany.

Kleindeutsch party

Argued against Austria's role in German unification.

Metternich

Austrian statesman symbolizing the established order.

Congress of Vienna

1815 meeting to reshape post-Napoleonic Europe.

Industrial Revolution

Period of rapid industrial growth in Germany.

Continental Blockade

Napoleon's trade restrictions disrupting German economy.

Jena and Auerstedt

Battles where Brandenburg-Prussia was defeated.

Biedermeier Family

Symbol of conservative, class-structured German society.

Emigration

Movement of people from Germany during economic hardship.

Napoleon's military contingent

Confederation states promised 63,000 soldiers to Napoleon.

Serfdom

Feudal system abolished in Prussia by reforms.

Rothschilds Bank

Prominent banking family active in Germany.

Crippling war reparations

Heavy payments imposed on Prussia post-defeat.

Cultural superiority

Prussian belief in their leadership for Germany.

Habsburgs

Austrian royal family with interests in Germany.

Urban unemployment

Economic issue contributing to 1848 revolutions.

Childhood

Focus on children's rights and education in society.

Oktoberfest

Cultural festival started in 1810 in Germany.

Economic depression

Severe downturn leading to widespread discontent in 1840s.

Conservatism

Political philosophy emphasizing tradition and stability.

Liberalism

Political ideology advocating for individual freedoms.

Zollverein

Customs union promoting economic unity among German states.

Police State

Government maintaining strict control over society.

Franz Joseph

Austrian Emperor known for absolutist rule.

Crimean War

Conflict (1853-1856) involving Russia, Britain, and France.

Bismarck's Diplomacy

Strategic foreign policy focused on German unification.

Treaty of Frankfurt

Peace treaty imposing harsh penalties on France.

Alsace and Lorraine

Territories annexed from France after the Franco-Prussian War.

William I

Regent of Prussia who became German Emperor.

Iron and Blood

Bismarck's approach to achieving German unification.

Casus Belli

Justification for war; used in the conflict with Denmark.

Balkan Nationalism

Movement threatening Austria's multi-ethnic empire.

Eastern Question

Diplomatic issues regarding the decline of the Ottoman Empire.

Treaty of San Stefano

Agreement creating a pro-Russian Bulgaria post-Balkan War.

Congress of Berlin

1878 meeting to renegotiate peace after Balkan War.

Dual Alliance

1879 pact between Germany and Austria against Russia.

Bismarck's Peace Strategy

Maintaining balance of power to secure German Empire.

Third Republic

French government established after the Franco-Prussian War.

War Indemnity

Compensation paid by France after the Franco-Prussian War.

MittelEuropa

Central European region crucial for German security.

Austro-Russian Friendship

Bismarck's strategy to prevent a two-front war.

Polish Uprising

Rebellion against Russian control in Polish provinces.

Bismarck's Isolation of France

Efforts to diplomatically weaken France post-war.

Franco-German Entente

Diplomatic agreement to counter British imperialism.

Bismarck's Legacy

Influential role in shaping modern European diplomacy.

Bismarck's Objectives

Preserving peace while enhancing German security.

Austrian Occupation

Austria's control over Bosnia-Herzegovina post-Congress.

Kulturkampf

Bismarck's struggle against Catholic influence in Germany.

Dreikaiserbund

Formal alliance among Germany, Austria, and Russia in 1881.

Triple Alliance

Defensive military alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's strategy to quickly defeat France before Russia.

Franco-Russian Alliance

Military alliance formed in 1894 against Central Powers.

Central Powers

Coalition of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

His assassination triggered World War I in 1914.

Ottoman Empire

Joined Central Powers to regain lost territories in 1914.

Bulgaria

Joined Central Powers in 1915 for territorial gains.

Triple Entente

Alliance of France, Russia, and Great Britain before WWI.

Entente Cordiale

Agreements between France and Britain resolving colonial disputes.

Anglo-Russian Entente

Agreement resolving disputes between Britain and Russia in 1907.

Plan XVII

France's military strategy for offensive action against Germany.

Junker

Prussian landowning aristocrats supporting Bismarck's policies.

Romania

Joined Bismarck's alliances to counter Russian influence.

Franco-German tensions

Strained relations due to territorial disputes and military rivalry.

Economic prerequisites

Financial ties that supported the Russo-French Alliance.

Balkan Wars

Conflicts in 1912-1913 leading to Bulgaria's territorial ambitions.

Gallipoli Campaign

Failed Allied campaign against the Ottoman Empire in WWI.

T.E. Lawrence

British officer known for leading the Arab Revolt.

Military setbacks

Austria-Hungary's struggles against Serbia and Russia in WWI.

Nationalism

Political ideology threatening Austria-Hungary's multi-ethnic empire.

Imperial ambitions

Desire of powers to expand territories and influence.

Diplomatic agreements

Treaties uniting powers against the Central Powers' threat.

Balance of power

Political strategy to prevent any one nation from dominating.

Economic relationships

Longstanding ties supporting alliances among European powers.

Military alliances

Formal agreements for mutual defense among nations.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

German leader promoting aggressive foreign policy.

Alliances

Agreements meant to deter war but escalated conflicts.

Militarism

Arms race among nations leading to increased tensions.

Universal conscription

Mandatory military service implemented in many nations.

Imperialism

Competition for colonies increased global tensions.

Balkans

Region known as the 'powder keg' of Europe.

Erich Ludendorff (1865–1937)

A German general who played a key role in World War I as the de facto leader of the German military, leading major battles like Tannenberg and the 1918 Spring Offensive. After the war, he promoted the “stab-in-the-back” myth, blaming Germany’s defeat on internal betrayal. He was briefly aligned with the Nazi movement, participating in the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch before later distancing himself from Hitler.

Tirpitz

Key figure in building the German Navy.

Bethmann Hollweg

German Chancellor during the early years of WWI.

Septemberprogramm

Plan outlining Germany's goals if victorious in WWI.

Social Democratic Party

Largest political party in Germany before WWI.

First Battle of the Marne

Battle halting German advance near Paris in 1914.

Battle of the Frontiers

Early engagements attempting to execute the Schlieffen Plan.

Machine guns

New technology causing unprecedented battlefield casualties.

Telegraph

Communication technology impacting military coordination.

Propaganda

Used to shape public perception and support for war.