Bismarcks Appointment

1
Bismarcks Appointment

• The Early Years 1862-63

2
Bismarcks aims in 1862

• Read pp. 58-60 which of the following most
  accurately describe Bismarcks aims in 1862?
• To bring about German unity
• To weaken Austria
• To follow a traditional, military programme in
  Prussia
• To take advantage of opportunities presented to
  him
• To follow an idealistic liberal / nationalist
  agenda

3
The Constitutional Crisis I

• Liberals were very concerned with Bismarcks
  appointment they didnt expect him to last
  long!
• Germany does not look to Prussian liberalism,
  but to its power. Bavaria, Wurttemburg, Baden can
  indulge in liberalism, but no one will expect
  them to undertake Prussias role.It is not
  through speeches and majority decisions that the
  great questions of the day are decided. That was
  the great mistake of 1848-9. It is by blood and
  iron.

4
Constitutional Crisis II

• This speech was meant to appease the liberals.
  For German nationalism, Prussia would need a
  strong army.
• The words backfired though and provoked the
  liberals into resistance.

5
Constitutional Crisis III

• Bismarck went ahead and financed the plans out of
  existing taxation and when he raised new illegal
  taxes he threatened the liberals by saying that
  he had 200,000 soldiers ready to persuade them!
• For 4 years, this continued and von Roons plans
  were fully followed through.
• The liberals were powerless as they had no
  military force to do anything about it. They also
  failed to organise a tax boycott.

6
The end of the crisis

• Bismarck hoped that success in foreign policy
  would bring his opponents on side.
• After defeating Denmark in 1864 and Austria in
  1866, the Prussian Parliament passed the
  Indemnity Bill which effectively legalised
  retrospectively, Bismarcks actions.

7
Bismarcks prospects

• Take one section each of pp. 60-62. Brainstorm
  the factors that were on Bismarcks side in 1862.
• Army
• Economy
• Zollverein
• Nationalism
• International situation

8
The Polish Revolt I

• In the 18C. Poland had been divided up between
  Russia, Prussia and Austria.
• In 1863 the inhabitants of Russian Poland rose up
  against the Tsar.
• Tsar Alexander II ordered the protest to be
  suppressed Britain, France and Austria objected.

9
The Polish Revolt II

• Bismarck offered military assistance to Alexander
  II to gain Russian friendship
• The Tsar refused, but agreed that Prussia would
  hand over any Polish rebels who crossed the
  Prussian border
• Britain and France protested strongly
• THINK why was Bismarck prepared to risk British
  and French hostility to gain Russian friendship?

10
Polish Revolt III

• Bismarck withdrew the offer to Russia in the end
  which angered the Tsar.
• However the result was that although Bismarck had
  angered both sides, the likelihood of a Russian /
  French / British alliance was now unlikely.
• THINK why was this important for Prussia?

11
Conclusion.

• Discuss how do you rate Bismarcks early
  decisions as Chief Minister of Prussia.
• Cooper argues that Bismarcks first 3 years in
  office were a failure. Do you agree so far?