German Unification (1815-1890)

Vormärz

The period post-Napoleonic wars and before the revolutions of March 1848. The Austrian government is in control and suppresses nationalistic and liberal movements. Highlighted the tensions between conservative monarchies and liberal forces.

Addresses to the German People

Written by Jonathan Gottlieb Fichte and delivered in 1808, they were a series of nationalistic speeches calling for spiritual and cultural unification of the german people. Argues that language and culture create the natural boundaries of Germany. Was the elierest justifier of unification through cultural ans spiritual similarities.

Needle gun

A new “high speed” wepon first adopted by the Prussian army in the 1860s. Most notiably used in the Austro-Prussian (1866) and Franco-Prussian Wars (1870-71). This technological and tactical advantage won Prussia many wars which allowed them to exclude Austria from the new Germany.

Six Articles

These were decrees issued by the German Confederation, spearheaded by Austria, attempting to promote monarchies and suppress liberalism.

Otto von Bismarck

Prime Minister of Prussia (1862-90) and First Chancellor of the German Empire (1817-90). Led the effort to unify Germany under Prussian control. “Blood and iron speech”. Wanted Austria to have nothing to do with German unification. He was removed from his position in 1890.

Albrecht von Roon

He was the Prussian Minister of War (1859-73) and a close ally of Bismarck. He prepared the Prussian military to fight in key wars for German Unification.

Battle of Düppel

Was a battle between Prussia and Denmark ending in a Prussian victory (April 1864). Fought over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, which had mixed German and Danish populations. The Prussian military won because of its superior artillery and organization. This war is seen as the first step in German unification. It gave Prussia prestige and positioned Bismarck as a leader in German Unification.

Alsace and Lorraine

These two border provinces were annexed by Germany from France in 1871 during the Franco-Prussian War. They became a sign of German nationalism and the Franco-German rivalry.

Kulturkampf

A series of anti-catholic policies and laws implemented by Bismarck aimed at reducing the influence of the Catholic Church and ensuring loyalty to the new secular German State. Expelled Jesuits from Germany. Made Priests declare loyalty to the state. Translates to Cultural Struggle. (1871-78)

Grossdeutschland

A proposed solution to German unification introduced on 1848. Called for a unified German state including Austria. Bismarck rejected this model in favor of Prussian leadership of unification.

cultural nationalism

was a movement that emphasized shared language, traditions, history, and folklore as the foundation of a common German identity, laying the ideological groundwork for unification before political or military action took place. The brothers Grimm first published their book of German fairy tales in 1812.

Protocol of Troppau

Created in November 1820, it was an international agreement between conservative monarchies—Austria, Prussia, and Russia—that asserted their right to intervene in countries experiencing revolution, in order to preserve monarchical authority and suppress liberal uprisings.

Frederick Wilhelm IV

He was king of Prussia (1840-61). Notably rejected Frankfurt’s Parliments offer to unify Germany under a liberal constitutional monarchy in 1848-9. It is a symbol of the clash between liberal nationalism and conservative monarchies.

Junker

were the landowning aristocracy of Prussia, primarily based in eastern Germany, who played a powerful role in politics, the military, and society during the 19th century. They were conservative, monarchist, and strongly anti-liberal.

‘Blood and Iron’

This was an influential speech given by Bismarck in 1862. argued that the unification of Germany would not be achieved through speeches or democratic means, but through war (blood) and industrial/military strength (iron).

North German Confederation

It was a union of 22 northern German states led by Prussia, created after the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. It marked a major step toward German unification under Prussian dominance. After Germany defeated Austria, Bismarck dissolved the original confederation for this one, which excluded Austria.

The Paris Commune

A short-lived French revolutionary government was established after the Franco-Prussian war (1870-71). It represented a working-class uprising against both the French monarchy and the conditions worsened by the war.

Kleindeutschland

A model for German Unification that excluded Austria, favoring a Germany lead by Prussia alone. This became the dominate model under Bismarck who viewed Austria as a rival to Prussian dominance. Austria’s loss in the Austro-Prussian war (1866) solidified their exclusion.

Zollverein

Established in 1834, it was a German customs union led by Prussia that eliminated internal tariffs between German states and established a shared economic policy. Created to promote trade and economic unity within the Germatic states.

Carlsbad Decrees

were a series of reactionary laws passed to suppress liberal and nationalist movements within the German Confederation in 1819. They targeted universities, student organizations, and the press, aiming to stop the spread of ideas that threatened the conservative order. They slowed the unification process as they suppressed liberal efforts. Reinforced Austrian dominance.

Frankfurt Assembly

was the first elected parliment of Germany. Created during the revolutions of 1848 with the goal of creating a unified, liberal German nation-state. Debated the models of Grossdeutschland and Kleindeutschland. Drafted a liberal constitution but it was rejected by Kaiser Fredrick Wilhelm IV. Operated from 1848-9.

Prince Wilhelm I

King of Prussia (1861-1888) & Emperor of Germany (1871-1888). Appointed Bismarck as Chief Minister in 1861 thus giving him the political backing to unify Germany.

Schleswig & Holstein

Territories in the Northern part of Germany. Following Denmark’s defeat, Schleswig was annexed by Prussia, and Holstein was placed under joint control of Prussia and Austria.

Ems Telegram

A telegram between Kaiser Wilhelm I and Bismarck in regards to the Spanish throne. In order to provoke France in to war, Bismarck altred and publisehd the telegram. France delcared war 19 July 1870.

Bundesrat

Establish in 1867 after the formation the the Northern German Confederation. It was the upper house of the legislature in the North German Confederation and later the German Empire. It represented the interests of the individual German states and played a key role in the political structure of newly unifyed Germany.