Nationalism and the Unification of Germany and Italy
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