Unit 3: Liberalism and Nationalism in Germany 1815-1871 Unit 3: Liberalism and Nationalism in Germany 1815-1871

Clemens von Metternich

Austrian statesman who led post-Napoleonic Europe in resisting liberal and nationalist movements; enforced conservative order through the German Confederation after 1815.

Frederick William IV

King of Prussia who initially accepted reforms during the 1848 Revolutions but later rejected the offer of a German crown from the Frankfurt Parliament.

Otto von Bismarck

Prussian Minister-President who unified Germany through a series of wars and diplomatic strategies between 1862 and 1871, using a policy known as Realpolitik.

Albrecht von Roon

Prussian Minister of War who modernized the army and played a key role in the military successes leading to German unification.

Helmuth von Moltke

Chief of the Prussian General Staff whose military strategies ensured victories over Austria in 1866 and France in 1870-71.

Karl Marx

German philosopher and journalist who critiqued capitalism and called for a proletarian revolution; co-authored 'The Communist Manifesto' in 1848.

Ludwig I of Bavaria

King of Bavaria who abdicated during the 1848 revolutions due to political pressure and scandal involving his mistress, Lola Montez.

Frederick August II of Saxony

Saxon king who accepted liberal reforms peacefully during the 1848 revolutions, avoiding violent confrontation.

Heinrich von Gagern

Liberal politician who helped organize the Frankfurt Parliament in 1848 in an attempt to unify Germany under a constitutional framework.

Franz Josef I

Austrian Emperor who came to power in 1848 and reasserted Habsburg control, later forming the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867.

Napoleon III

French Emperor from 1851 to 1870 who was defeated by Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War, paving the way for German unification.

William I of Prussia

King of Prussia who became the first German Emperor in 1871 after the victory over France and the proclamation at Versailles.

Christian of Glucksberg

Danish king whose annexation of Schleswig and Holstein led to the Second Schleswig War with Austria and Prussia in 1864.

Adolphe Thiers

French statesman who led negotiations for peace after France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and helped suppress the Paris Commune.

Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern

Prussian prince whose candidacy for the Spanish throne provoked French opposition and contributed to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War.

Nationalism

Ideology promoting the unity and independence of people with shared language, culture, and history; grew in Germany post-1815.

Liberalism

Political philosophy advocating for individual freedoms, constitutional government, and civil liberties; central to the 1848 revolutions.

Realpolitik

Pragmatic, power-based approach to politics used by Bismarck to achieve unification without regard to ideology or ethics.

Zollverein

A customs union established by Prussia in 1834 to promote economic unity among German states and exclude Austria.

Carlsbad Decrees

Repressive laws enacted in 1819 to curb liberal and nationalist activity in German universities and the press.

Holy Roman Empire

A multi-ethnic complex of territories in central Europe dissolved by Napoleon in 1806.

German Confederation

A loose association of 39 German states created at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 under Austrian leadership.

Kleindeutschland

The idea of a 'Lesser Germany' that excluded Austria, favored by Bismarck in creating a unified Germany.

Grossdeutschland

The concept of a 'Greater Germany' that included Austria; debated during the 1848 Frankfurt Parliament.

Universal Male Suffrage

Voting system introduced in the North German Confederation allowing all adult males to vote, though with limited power.

Burschenschaften

Nationalist and liberal student associations in early 19th-century Germany, often suppressed by conservative regimes.

Proletariat

Working class in industrial society, central to Marxist theory as the group destined to overthrow capitalism.

Bourgeoisie

Middle class, often owning means of production; seen by Marxists as exploiters of the proletariat.

Socialism

Economic and political ideology that advocates for collective or governmental ownership of production and distribution.

Three-Class Franchise

Prussian electoral system favoring the wealthy, where votes were weighted by the amount of taxes paid.

Congress of Vienna

A diplomatic meeting in 1815 that reorganized Europe after the Napoleonic Wars and established the German Confederation under Austrian dominance.

Revolutions of 1848

A series of political upheavals across German states sparked by demands for liberal reform, national unification, and improved social conditions.

Frankfurt Parliament

An assembly convened in 1848 to draft a constitution for a unified Germany; ultimately failed due to internal divisions and lack of support.

March Days

Protests and uprisings in Berlin during March 1848 that forced King Frederick William IV to make political concessions.

Wartburg Festival

A nationalist demonstration held in 1817 by German students to celebrate unity and protest against repression.

Hambach Festival

A major political demonstration in 1832 promoting German unity, freedom of speech, and liberal reforms.

Six Articles

Decrees issued in 1832 to strengthen monarchical authority and restrict the rights of representative assemblies in the German Confederation.

Battle of Sadowa

A decisive battle in July 1866 where Prussian forces defeated Austria, leading to the exclusion of Austria from German affairs.

Erfurt Union

A failed Prussian attempt in 1849-50 to unite German states under its leadership without Austrian involvement.

Humiliation of Olmütz

An event in 1850 where Prussia backed down from its unification efforts after pressure from Austria and Russia.

Convention of Gastein

A 1865 agreement between Prussia and Austria dividing the administration of Schleswig and Holstein, setting the stage for future conflict.

Schleswig-Holstein Crisis

A territorial dispute with Denmark that led to the 1864 war, resulting in Prussian and Austrian control over the duchies.

Austro-Prussian War

A seven-week conflict in 1866 between Austria and Prussia over dominance in Germany; ended in Prussian victory and exclusion of Austria.

Franco-Prussian War

A conflict between France and Prussia (1870-71) sparked by Bismarck's diplomacy, which led to the unification of Germany.

Ems Telegram

A diplomatic communication edited by Bismarck in 1870 to provoke French outrage and unify German states against France.

Treaty of Frankfurt

The 1871 treaty that ended the Franco-Prussian War, giving Germany Alsace-Lorraine and imposing heavy reparations on France.

Formation of the North German Confederation

A Prussian-led alliance of German states created in 1867 that laid the groundwork for the German Empire.

Proclamation of the German Empire

The formal unification of Germany in January 1871, declared in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.

Industrialization in Prussia

A period of rapid economic growth beginning in the 1850s, characterized by factory expansion, railway building, and increased coal and iron production.

Urbanization

The growth of cities in Germany during the 19th century as people moved from rural areas to work in industrial centers, fueling middle-class and working-class expansion.