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Topic 14- Nationalism and the Spread of Democracy. Essential Question- What are the challenges of diversity?. 14.1- The Unification of Germany. Nationalism. Intense pride in/devotion to one’s nation. Usually occurs between people who share a common history, language, and culture.
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Topic 14- Nationalism and the Spread of Democracy Essential Question- What are the challenges of diversity?
Nationalism Intense pride in/devotion to one’s nation. Usually occurs between people who share a common history, language, and culture. • What is nationalism? • In Germany, nationalism is sparked by Napoleon’s invasions and by the Congress of Vienna
Congress of Vienna • At the Congress of Vienna, Prince Clemens von Metternich of Austria argued against a unified Germany because it would have dismantled existing governments • Instead, a weak German Confederation was created, headed by Austria. Confederation- a political unit where individual states have more power than the overall government
Prussia vs. Austria-Hungary • Prussia and Austria dominated the German Confederation • Prussia had many advantages that allowed it to become a unified state: • Primarily German • Powerful army • More industrialized • Austria-Hungary, on the other hand, had a difficult time unifying: • Many different ethnicities • Lacked prosperity Ethnic Groups in Austria-Hungary
Otto Von Bismarck • Otto Von Bismarck was the only one able to succeed in creating a unified Germany • Prussian diplomat in France and Russia, named Prime Minister of Prussia under King William (Wilhelm) I • Becomes Chancellor of a unified Germany in 1871
Blood and Iron Realpolitik- realistic politics based on the needs of the state • Bismarck’s strategy to create a unified German people is one of “blood and iron” • Blood- military might/war • Iron- industry (to create military weapons) • Bismarck was also a master of Realpolitik, willing to do whatever was necessary to accomplish his goals • Ironically, Bismarck was not a German nationalist- he wanted to unify Germany to secure Prussian dominance
Powerful Military • Bismarck’s first step was to create a powerful Prussian Army. • However, the Prussian legislature refused to provide him with funding for his army. Bismarck responded by simply taking money that had been collected for other purposes. The ends justify the means • The End- a well-trained and well-armed Prussian army • The Means- taking money set aside for other things to fund the army
Bismarck’s Army • Over the next decade, Bismarck’s army fights three wars that result in German unity under a Prussian Ruler • The first battle is over the Danish provinces of Schleswig and Holstein • Bismarck formed an alliance with Austria to “liberate” the two heavily German provinces from Denmark • Prussia gets Schleswig, Austria gets Holstein
War with Austria (1866) • Bismarck invents an excuse to attack Austria, and after 7 weeks of fighting the superior Prussian army wins • The weak Austrian-led German Confederation is dissolved and Bismarck establishes a Prussian dominated confederation in its place • But Bismarck is smart, and Austria remains independent....why?
Franco-Prussian War (1870) • France was concerned with the Prussian win over Austria • Germans recalled the invasions of Napoleon Bonaparte, and Bismarck played up the image of the “French menace” to ignite German nationalism • Then Bismarck sparked war by tampering with the records of a meeting between Prussian King William I and a French Ambassador, making it look like William I had insulted the French. • France declares war, and loses to the Germans in a few short weeks The ends justify the means...
German Empire • After France’s defeat, the Germans convince Prussia’s King William I to take the title of Kaiser (emperor). This begins the Second Reich (empire). • 1st Reich- Holy Roman Empire • 2nd Reich- Kaiser William I (Chancellor Bismarck) • 3rd Reich- Adolf Hitler
Limited Reforms • Under Kaiser William I, Germany set up a 2-house Legislature: • The Bundesrat could veto the Reichstag’s votes at any time. Therefore, power really just stayed with the Kaiser and his Chancellor- Otto Von Bismarck • What’s wrong with this set up? Does it remind you of a similar situation in France?
The Iron Chancellor • As Chancellor, Bismarck used the same realpolitik methods he used to achieve unification the ends justify the means • He worked to erase local loyalties and crushed all opposition to the new government, especially the Catholic Church and the Socialists • This earned him the nickname “The Iron Chancellor”