Building a German Nation

1
Building a German Nation
2
German Unity

• In the early 1800s, German-speaking people lived
  in a number of medium-sized states
• Goal Unify Germany
• Otto von Bismarck Chancellor of Germany (prime
  minister) united German states under Prussian
  rule
• Realpolitik- Realistic politics based on the
  needs of the state

3
Prussian Wars

• Bismarck led Prussia into war to increase power
  and pave way for German unity
• War with Denmark Austria ended in decisive
  Prussian victory, Prussia annexed several
  northern German states
• Franco-Prussian War France defeated by Prussia

4
Otto von Bismarck

• Iron Chancellor
• Kulturkampf- Battle for civilization
• Goal To make Catholics put loyalty to the state
  above allegiance to the church
• Did not trust Catholics (He was Lutheran)
• Also campaigned against socialists
• Saw a threat to German empire
• Plans were only partly successful some backfired

5
The German Empire

• William I of Prussia took the title Kaiser-
  emperor of Germany
• Second Reich- second empire, heir to the Holy
  Roman Empire
• Germany industrialized became a European
  industrial power

6
Kaiser William II

• Asked Bismarck to resign
• Believed his right to rule came from God
• Government provided services
• Social welfare Programs to help certain groups
  of people
• Taught students obedience to the emperor along
  with reading, writing, and mathematics
• Nationalism aggressive militarism will increase
  tensions prior to WWI