Revolutions of 1848

In 1848, a series of revolts against European monarchies began in Sicily, and spread to France, Germany, Italy, and the Austrian Empire.

• They all ended in failure and repression and were followed by widespread disillusionment among those who sought for additional political rights and freedom

• Unsuccessful revolutions of 1848 increased nationalistic tensions

• They pave the way, however, for Italy and Germany to finally unify

Unification of Italy

Prior to the 1800’s, Italy was not united politically

• After Congress of Vienna, Austria’s prince Metternich controlled Northern Italy and the French ruled Southern Italy

• With the increased feeling of nationalism, Italians began to meet secretly to rid themselves of Austrian rule

Between 1820 and 1848, nationalists fought and lost to Austrian armies.

• Italians looked to the Italian nation state of Sardinia (the largest Italian state) for aide

Count Camillo di Cavour

Prime minister of Sardinia

Cavour’s goal was to get control of Northern Italy for Sardinia

• To obtain North Italy. He has to get rid of Austria

• Teamed up with the French to drive Austrians out of Northern Italy in 1858

Giuseppe Garibaldi

Count Cavour’s next goal was to obtain Southern Italy

• Secretly aided southern rebels led by Giuseppe Garibaldi

In 1860, Garibaldi captured Sicily and gained support to unite the Southern area he conquered with the kingdom of Sardinia in the North

Papal States

Last state to join a unified Italy in 1870

• Governed by Roman Catholic Popes

• Rome came under italian control and became the capital of the United Kingdom of Italy

• The Pope would continue to govern a small section of Rome known as Vatican City

Germany - Setting the Stage

Start of early 1800’s, 39 German states formed the German Confederation

• Two largest states were Austro-Hungarian (Empire) and Prussia

Prussia had a large advantage because of strong German population,

• military and industrialization = nationalism

Ethnic groups in the Austro-Hungarian Empire kept the state divided

Otto Von Bismarck

Prussia experienced major shifts in power in 1848

• In 1861, Wilhelm I became Prussian king, he had two big goals

  • Reformed army

  • Double the size of Prussia

  • Refused money by Parliament

Wilhelm gained support from wealthy, landowning nobles

Otto Von Bismarck was a conservative landowner who became Wilhelm’s Prime Minister

• Supported realpolitik: justified all means to achieve and hold power

He would eventually become one of the most commanding figure in all of German history

Realpolitik under Bismarck

• Wanted to increase military power

• Formed alliance between Prussia and Austria - wanted to stir tension to eventually eliminate Austria

• Went to war against Denmark to obtain new territory

• New victories led to nationalism and new respect as leader in Prussia

Franco-Prussian War

1867, southern Germany still remained independent from Prussia

Bismarck wanted to create a threat to Southern states so he could gain their support by aiding them in the fight

Bismarck set up a fake telegram to create tension between France and the southern German states

The French declared war on Prussia in 1870

Germany is Unified

The Prussians attacked France and came out victorious

Southern France finally accepted Prussian leadership and nationalistic fever spread quickly

On January 18, 1871, Wilhelm I was crowned Kaiser, or emperor, of the german State (Germany)

The Balance of Power Shifts

The 1815 Congress of Vienna established five Great Powers in Europe - Britain, France, Austria, Prussia, and Russia.

• In 1815, the Great Powers were nearly equal in strength.

• The mid-1800s greatly strengthened one of the Great Powers, as Prussia became Germany.

• By 1871, Britain and Germany were clearly the most powerful - both militarily and economically

The European balance of power had broken down.

• The Congress of Vienna had failed…

Unification of Italy

Count Cavour unified Northern italy

• Giuseppe Garibaldi joined southern Italy to northern Italy

The Papal States (including Rome) became the last to join Italy

Otto von Bismarck led Prussia in the unification of Germany through war and by appealing to nationalist feelings.

• Prussian Prime minister in 1862