German Unification

Concert of Europe

a series of alliances among European nations in the 19th century, devised by Prince Klemens von Metternich to prevent the outbreak of revolutions and maintain a balance of power, created at the Congress of Vienna

Schleswig-Holstein

Bismarck formed an alliance with Austria to seize these colonies from Denmark

Danish War (1864)

Denmark tried to annex Schleswig-Holstein, but Austria and Prussia defeated them. Austria was put in charge of Holstein, and Prussia of Schleswig.

Austro-Prussian War (1866)

Prussia allied with Italy against Austria. Prussia won and created the North German Confederation

Franco-Prussian War (1870)

Bismarck provoked this war with France using the Ems Telegram. This helped unify the North German Confederation and the still independent German states by giving them a common enemy and heightened nationalism. This was the final step in creating a unified Germany

Radical

Favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms - generally working class, generally supporting socialism or communism

Napoleon III

Leader of France in Franco-Prussian War

Frederick Wilhelm IV

Prussian king, promised constitution and reforms, but then went back on his word, banned publications and organizations that support democracy

Wilhelm I

He became king of Prussia in 1861 and sought to increase Prussian power. He appointed Otto Von Bismarck as his Prime Minister. In 1871, at the Palace of Versailles after the Franco-Prussian war, he was proclaimed Kaiser of the German Empire by Otto von Bismarck.

Kaiser

Title for the Emperor of Germany

Otto von Bismarck

Chancellor of Prussia from 1862 until 1871, when he became chancellor of Germany. A conservative nationalist, he led Prussia to victory against Austria (1866) and France (1870) and was responsible for the creation of the German Empire

German Confederation

Association of German states established at the Congress of Vienna that replaced the Holy Roman Empire from 1815 to 1866

North German Confederation

New political organization created as a result of end of Austria-Prussian War, Austria doesn't get involved in German affairs, new organization is under rulership of Prussia. Major step towards German unification.

Prussia

A strong military state in the northern German region that was one of the two main states in the German Confederation, a leading state in the Zollverein, and the leader or German Unification after 1850

Austria

A strong military state in the southern German region that was one of the two main states in the German Confederation. Controlled by Metternich, the architect of the Congress of Vienna, very conservative leadership plagued by ethnic divisions, nationalist and liberal unrest

Frankfurt Parliament

Made an unsuccessful attempt to unify Germany in 1848. It intended to write a moderately liberal constitution for a unified Germany, but alienated conservatives, workers and liberals. Offered crown to Frederick Wilhelm IV, he called it a "crown from the gutter."

Professors Parliament

Critical term for Frankfurt Parliament

Metternich

Austrian foreign minister who basically controlled the Congress of Vienna. Wanted to promote peace, conservatism, and the repression of liberal nationalism throughout Europe.

Congress of Vienna

(1814-1815 CE) Meeting of representatives of European monarchs called to reestablish the old order after the defeat of Napoleon.

Zollverein

The name of the free trade zone that German states created in the early 19th century, decades prior to their unification - excluded Austria

Liberal

Favoring Enlightenment-style reforms, especially written constitutions and increased voting rights. Generally middle class.

Conservative

A person who believed in absolute monarchy and keeping power in the hands of the traditional elites - tended to be upper-class nobility/aristocracy

Junker

Prussian landowning nobility

Carlsbad Decrees

(1819) Repressive laws in the German states limiting freedom of speech and dissemination of liberal ideas in the universities. Also creating a police state now with excess limits on press and free speech in order to prevent the spread of liberal ideas.

Hambach Festival

Cultural/nationalist festival in Germany that ended up also supporting liberal political ideas and was repressed by the Prussian and Austrian elites.

Otto von Manteuffel

Prime minister of Prussia before Bismarck - conservative who also worked to increase the industrial revolution in Germany by encouraging railroads and iron industry, and improving working conditions of factory workers.

Vienna

Capital of Austria, center of Conservatism

Erfurt Union 1850

Prussia's 1st attempt to unify Germany without Austria

Humiliation of Olmutz

Prussia was forced to accept Austrian dominance and recognize Austria had a better military

1848

Year of Revolutions around Europe based on liberal ideas and lack of food from the "Hungry Forties"

Hungry 40's

Period of poor harvests, rising rent and increasing unemployment in Europe

Tariff

A tax on imported goods

Nationalism

A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country

Berlin

Capital of Germany

Ems Telegram

A telegram which the French gave to the Germans in anger over the Succession of the Throne in Spain, but Bismarck altered it to look like the French were rude and evil. The French declared war.

Blood and Iron speech

speech by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck given in 1862 about the unification of the German territories- saying power didn't come from debates, laws and written documents but from blood and iron

Treaty of Prague

This treaty ended the Seven Week's war and stated that Austria must remove itself from German affairs. By treating Austria generously, Bismarck expected to gain its friendship for the emerging German state.

Indemnity Bill

(1867) The bill passed by the German Reichstag that legitimated Bismarck's unconstitutional collection of taxes to modernize the army in 1863.

Landtag

Representative assembly in the Kingdom of Prussia formed in 1849

Hohenzollern candidature

Leopold, nephew of King Wilhelm I is offered up as the new king of Spain and rejected by France

Crimean War 1853

War between Russia and the Ottomans - when Austria failed to support Russia, Russia stopped supporting Austria in conflicts with Prussia

Venice

Land promised to Italy in return for their help in the Austro-Prussian War

Dreyse Rifle

rapid-firing firearm that gave Prussians an advantage in the Austro-Prussian War