4 - Nationalism and Unification

The Age of Metternich (1815-1848)

  • After Napoleon’s defeat, European leaders met at the Congress of Vienna (1815) to restore order and balance in Europe

  • Prince Metternich of Austria dominated the Congress, his goals

    • restore monarchies

    • stop the spread of nationalism and liberal ideas

    • maintain the status quo through conservative policies

  • The Congress redrew the map of Europe to strengthen monarchies and contain France. For example, the Austrian Empire controlled parts of Italy, and German states were grouped into the German Confederation under Austrian leadership

  • Metternich led efforts to suppress revolutions and nationalist movements

Growth of Nationalism

  • despite Metternich’s efforts Nationalist feelings grew

  • liberalism and demands for constitutional governments spread

Revolution of 1848

Italian Unification

  • Italy had been divided into small states many controlled by foreign powers like Austria.

  • Count Camillo di Cavour (the brain)

    • prime minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia. He used diplomacy and alliances (like with France) to drive Austria out of northern Italy

  • Giuseppe Garibaldi (the sword)

    • led the redshirts in southern Italy and captured Sicily and Naples

  • By 1871, Italy was unified under King Emmanuel II

German Unification

  • Before unification, Germany was a collection of independent states in the German Confederation

  • Otto von Bismark, prime minister of Prussia, believed in Realpolitik- practical politics focuses on power rather than ideals

  • His motto Blood and iron

    • unified through war and industrial strength