Otto Von Bismarck and German Unification: A Realpolitik Overview

1. German Unification

2. ● Creation of the German Confederation under the presidency of Austria. Prussia and Austria were the two most powerful German states. Traditionally Austria was recognized as the most important. Germany: 1815

3. Europe 1848

4. Europe today

5. Otto Von Bismarck: “The Iron Chancellor”1815-1898See Flagship p71

6. Bismarck and ‘Realpolitik’ • Realistic Politics based on the needs of the state • Whatever actions necessary to achieve his desired goals. • Power more important than principles • “Blood and Iron” Philosophy • He wanted to eliminate Austrian influence and bring about unification on Prussian terms. • Expand Germany’s Economy and Industrial base with use of its resources. • Do not make the same mistakes that were made by the French in 1848-1849.

7. 3 Wars for Unification • 1st: An 1864 Austrian-Prussian invasion of Schleswig-Holstein led to the end of Danish control of these provinces. Prussia gained a lot of support especially among German nationalists who wanted to see these provinces come under German control. • 2nd: 1866 Austro-Prussian War results in Prussian control (Annexes) of several northern German states. • Dissolved the old confederation and establishes a new one dominated by Prussia • Southern states were left independent, form military alliances with Prussia • 3rd: 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War results in the completion of German Unification • William I of Prussia assumes the role of Kaiser, or emperor of Germany, with Otto Von Bismarck as Chancellor.

8. Napoleon III (France) was shocked by speed of Bismarck’s victory against Austria Bismarck excluded Napoleon III from treaty negotiations (between Prussia and Austria) Napoleon was looking for territory in the Rhineland as reward for staying neutral while Prussia fought Austria Tension After 7 Weeks’ War - Prussia v Austria, 1866

9. Newspaper reports of German government’s anti-French statements caused fury in France. French public and newspapers demanded war. Napoleon III declared war on 19 July and Bismarck gained the support of all German states by claiming that Napoleon was the aggressor Franco-Prussian War, 1870

10. French mobilisation was chaotic; Prussian swift Nap. had no aptitude for military affairs Moltke led the Prussian forces Franco-Prussian War, 1870

11. Franco-Prussian War, 1870 • Foreign powers remained neutral • Russia promised to fight with Prussia if Austria joined France – both stayed out • Italy made too many demands of France for their support • British interests were not affected

12. Franco-Prussian War, 1870 • Prussian technology (especially breech-loading rifle) and tactics were far superior. • Prussia used 6 railway lines, France had 2 • Major defeats for France occurred at Metz and Sedan • Fearing defeat, Nap. rode around at Sedan ‘looking for a bullet’. • Sept. 1870, Bis., Moltke and Nap. met to agree the surrender

13. Meeting at Versailles

14. French Surrender • 84,000 French prisoners (inc. 39 generals and the Emperor) • Nap. imprisoned at Cassel until 1872 – then exile in Britain – died 1873 • Revolution in France replaced 2nd Empire with 3rd Republic. • War continued for a further 6 months and was ended in Jan. 1871 when Prussia laid siege to Paris.

15. Treaty of Frankfurt, May 1871 • France fined £5000m • Germany annexed Alsace and Lorraine (buffer-zone – contained fortresses of Metz and Strasbourg + rich in iron ore) • Peace terms led to long lasting enmity between Germany and France • Von Moltke: “What we have gained by arms in half a year, we must protect by arms for half a century”.

16. Germany 1871 ● The new German Empire emerged as Europe’s foremost military power. Prussia dominated this new German state.

17. United German States • Prussia dominated the new Germany that was called the Second Reich. • The new constitution drawn up by Bismarck was a Federal system. • Each of the twenty-five states had considerable control over their affairs and decided their own form of government; e.g. Bavaria and Saxony were ruled by kings. • Under the constitution there were to be three branches of the Federal government:

18. The Presidency • The Presidency which was held by the King of Prussia (now German Emperor – Kaiser Wilhelm I). The German Emperor had considerable powers. He had personal control of the armed forces. He appointed and dismissed all ministers including the Chancellor (Bismarck 1871-1890).

19. The Federal Council • The Federal Council (or Bundesrat) represented the different states of the Empire. It had fifty-eight members. Seventeen were from Prussia, six from Bavaria, four from Saxony. It had the power to change the constitution. However no change could be made to the constitution if fourteen delegates objected. This in practice meant that Prussia could always stop change.

20. The Parliament • The Parliament or Reichstag was elected by Universal Male Suffrage (all males over 25 could vote) and Secret Ballot. It voted on the Federal budget and its consent was needed for all legislation. This was the most advanced system in Europe at this time. • However, the powers of the Reichstag were limited: • It could not initiate legislation. • The Kaiser (and in effect Bismarck) could dissolve it any time with the agreement of the Bundesrat. • It had no say in the appointment or dismissal of the Chancellor or Imperial ministers. The Imperial Chancellor was appointed by the Emperor and was in charge of foreign policy.