1. Unification of Germany Not!!!!

2. Before 1500 • The region of central Europe was initially unified under Charlemagne back in 800. • His kingdom was called the Holy Roman Empire. • It did not last after his son’s death in 843. • Successive smaller princes tried to replicate Charlemagne with limited success. • While a united Europe remained a dream, the title of Holy Roman Emperor remained. • By 1500 it really only covered central Europe and parts of Italy.

3. The Process • The title of HRE was a sought after prize as it offered a lot of informal power through the Pope. • To become the HRE you needed to be elected by both the German princes and the church. • Each member of the council held the prestigious title of Elector. • Initially the council was made up of 6 kings and 3 Arch bishops. • All were in German states.

4. Table of Electors

5. HRE Shaken • The Protestant Reformation started within the HRE and quickly divided the small kingdoms. • Initially the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V did little to suppress the dissidents. • By the 1540s the Charles started to move against them. • The challenge to openly defy or comply with the HRE escalated the violence. • Because of his conflict with France, he was too weak to easily suppress the dissident states. • In 1555, a peace was brokered among the states. • Peace of Augsburg • Cuius regio, eius religio = as a ruler, so the religion

6. German Unification? • The Peace of Augsburg ended the violence, but it also upheld the balance of power. • The HRE was still the top dog. • Since 1452 and until 1806 it was controlled by one family – the Hapsburgs. • Princes’ still had enough power to keep their autonomy. • Under this system, no one saw any need for change.