The Revolutions of 1848

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Bismarck German Unification
Nice Guys Finish Last
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1848 - The turning point at which history failed
to turn. --- George Macaulay
Trevelyn 1937
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Centers of Revolution in 1848
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THEAFTERMATH
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Democrats Swept Out of Europe
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The Communist Manifesto
Karl Marx
Friedrich Engels
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Why did the 1848 Revolutions fail?

• Not enough support from the working classes.
• The middle classes were not radical so they held
  back.
• Nationalism divided more than united.
• The Old Guard was left in place and they turned
  brutally against the revolutionaries.

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The Bottom Line

• It looked like the Conservative forces had
  triumphed.
• BUT
• Things had changed forever.
• Economic/social problems continued to be constant
  challenges to the ruling order.
• Conservatives would have to make concessions in
  order to stay in power.
• Many of the limited Liberal achievements remained
  permanent.

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So, how can conservatives distract the people?

• Nationalism
• The belief that people should be primarily loyal
  to their own country.
• Militarism
• Policy of glorifying military power.

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Germania - 1848
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(No Transcript)
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Like France, Liberals Win Early In Germany
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Frankfurt Assembly Meets
CHAOS!
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Liberalism Discredited in Germany

• Little popular support.
• The union of liberals and democrats didnt last.
• Rule of force was the only winner!
• There was a massive exodus of liberal
  intellectuals.
• Militarism, hierarchy, and statism were
  triumphant!
• Capitalists followed suit.

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The Three Germanies
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Enter Bismarck, in Prussia (1862)
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Bismarck Rejects Liberalism

• The master of Realpolitik
• Politics based on reality, not idealism
• Defies Parliament over taxes
• Blood Iron!

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Bismarck, Keeping It Real

• It is true that we can hardly escape
  complications in Germany, although we do not seek
  them. Germany does not look to Prussia's
  liberalism, but to her power. The south German
  States - Bavaria, Wurtenberg, and Baden - would
  like to indulge in liberalism, and because of
  that no one will assign Prussia's role to them!
  Prussia must collect her forces and hold them in
  reserve for an opportune moment, which has
  already come and gone several times. Since the
  Treaty of Vienna, our frontiers have not been
  favorably designed for a healthy body politic.
  Not by speeches and majorities will the great
  questions of the day be decided - that was the
  mistake of 1848 and 1849 - but by iron and blood.
  

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First, Prussia Attacks Denmark - 1864

• Prussia Austria vs. Denmark

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Second, Prussia Attacks Austria - 1866

• Prussia Italy vs. Austria

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Prussian Wins Big

• Prussia wins the light blue area.

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Next, Bismarck Provokes A War With France - 1870

• Franco-Prussian War Prussia vs. France

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Prussia Kicks Frances Butt

• Area Temporarily Occupied By Prussia

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The United German Empire - 1871
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The United German Empire - 1871
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Formation Of The German Reich - 1870
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The Triple Alliance