Why was Germany united by 1871?

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Why was Germany united by 1871?

• Summary of Chapter 9 of Britain Scotland and
  Germany by John A. Kerr and James McGonigle.

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Intro

• Relationship between Prussia and Austria changed,
  so by 1860 a Prussian controlled unification
  began to seem possible
• Austria opposed unification as it saw it as a
  threat to its own empire. The German speaking
  minority in Austria were significant enough to
  worry Austria
• Upshot Austria and Prussia became rivals

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Intro

• Austria was getting weaker, losing Allies and
  losing influence. Prussia, on the other hand, was
  getting stronger, rapidly industrialising,
  building road and rail networks, as well as
  telegraph systems. Trade and wealth increasing.
  Prussia also had plenty natural resources.
• What helped Bismarck achieve unification was, he
  had a good hand to begin with.

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Bismarcks good hand

• 1848 Revolutions got more people interested in
  politics, increased national feelings and
  clarified political views and associations.
• Idea of unity gaining ground
• Military stronger
• Economy stronger
• Better rail and road network
• Increased iron and steel production
• Zollverien

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Bismarcks good hand

• Italian nationalists successful
• Austria weaker
• Sympathy from some European countries for those
  seeking independence and self determination.

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Changes in Austria

• Austrian blunder failed to support Russia in
  the war against Britain and France (Crimean War).
  Russia would never forgive Austria for this.
  Russia remained neutral in Austrias conflicts
  thereafter.
• Austria could do little to stop to tide of
  national feeling and the setting up of the
  Nationalverein (National Organisation). The
  Nationalverein essentially wanted a liberal,
  parliamentary Kleindeutsch, i.e. a Prussian led
  unified state.

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Economic changes

• Prussia stronger
• Govt support for workers schemes to help factory
  workers
• Helped peasants turn away from revolution and
  remain and support their rulers the Junkers
• Carried out a programme of social reforms
• Encouraged economic growth
• Zolverein
• New raw materials in the Rhine and Saar regions

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Economic changes

• Austrian decline
• Lacked raw materials
• Didnt join the Zollverein
• Introduced very few social reforms
• Industrial output stagnated or, at the very least
  it showed a slow increase.
• (See data on pp.109-110)

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Why are these figures important?

• As Prussia grew stronger, smaller German states
  realised the benefits of trade with Prussia.
  Smaller states increased trade with the German
  Confederation thanks to the Zollverein
• Austria tried to latch itself and other states
  outwith the Prussian trade area on to the
  Zollverein as a political move. This was
  successfully opposed by the Bund.

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Bismarck Arrives

• Did he plan this unification?
• Didnt like Austrias tactics in the Bund
• Knew it was important to keep on good terms with
  Russia
• Learned that French power was more apparent than
  real.

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Bismarck Arrives

• British Conservative Benjamin Disraeli claims
  Bismarck said -
• He was getting an army up and ready
• Wanted a war with Austria
• Wanted to dissolve the German Diet (German
  Assembly)
• Achieve natural unity under Prussian control.
• The authenticity of the Disraelis report is in
  doubt, but some historians use it to prove B
  planned it.

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Bismarck Arrives

• Was B an opportunist?
• A.J.P Taylor argues that B just followed day to
  day policy, doing what was needed to get what he
  wanted.
• Make sure you read p.3 of your question booklet.

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Bismarck Arrives

• King William wanted to improve the army but the
  Prussian Parliament kept blocking his demands for
  money to fund the improvements.
• The King threatened to abdicate, alarming many
  ministers.
• Minister of War, Von Roon, suggested getting B
  back from Paris to help solve the problem. The
  King eventually agrees and B returns as
  Chancellor.

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Bismarck Arrives

• Remember, B was not keen on liberal ideas, He
  wanted
• The constitutional crisis resolved (See p.3 of
  question booklet)
• Make Prussia more dominant than Austria in German
  affairs
• Create a greater role for Prussia in European
  affairs
• Maintain the position of the Junker ruling class
  (the Prussian nobility)

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Bismarck Arrives

• Realpolitik placing an emphasis on achieving
  realistic objectives rather than pursuing
  idealistic ambitions.
• It was realistic and practical but with B it
  became ruthless and manipulative

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Bismarck Arrives

• B accepted that unification was going to happen
  but he wanted the monarchy at the head of it
• Therefore, controlling the process of unification
  was crucial. It had to be a unified Germany,
  under Prussian control and the Prussian king at
  its head
• B was willing to end relations with Austria

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Bismarck Arrives

• Blood and Iron speech
• B wasnt going to wait or allow political parties
  or liberals to bring about unification.
• He was going to ensure that Prussia would unify
  Germany under their terms using the army,
  financed by the industrial and economic strength
  of Prussia blood and iron.

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Bismarck Arrives

• B got the Army Budget through by stating that, as
  the constitution didnt have a provision for the
  resolution of a dispute between the King and
  Parliament, then the final decision rested with
  the King who could carry on and pass the Bill
  without government approval.

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Army Reforms

• An increase from 2 to 3 years full time army
  training for all men
• An increase from 3 to 4 years in the reserves
• Part time soldiers to be virtually abolished
• An extra 49 regiments to be created
• Extra 9 million Thalers (about 1.5 million) to
  be raised each year to cover costs!

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Bismarcks Aims

• B knew that a united Germany would please the
  Liberal middle class, but done under the control
  of the King and Chancellor would not be the way
  they would want it to happen. B decided to
  achieve unification via foreign affairs.
• B got on Russias side by allowing them into
  Poland to find Polish rebels. This action by B is
  ironic as Poland also wanted to be an independent
  country, just like Germany, so B denies it to
  Poland so that Germany can get it!

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Bismarcks Aims

• Britain and France criticised B for allowing
  Russia into Poland. This criticism helped B as
  Russia could now see that Prussia was their only
  ally in Europe.
• Note B did all of these things without the
  Diets approval, but the result convinced a few
  liberals that Bs plan of unifying Germany may
  actually work.

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The Danish War

• The first dispute was over two pieces of land
  owned by dukes, (duchies) called Schleswig and
  Holstein. Since 1848 there had been a clash
  between the rival forces of Danish and German
  nationalism both seeking to control Schleswig
  and Holstein. In 1863, the new Danish King,
  Christian IX, tried to make Schleswig part of
  Denmark but this was against the Treaty of
  London of 1852 which stated that Denmark would
  respect the autonomy of the two Duchies.
  Bismarck wanted to get the Duchies for Prussia
  to assert Prussian leadership in Germany but he
  knew that non-German countries like Britain,
  France and Russia would intervene if Prussia
  acted alone. Bismarck managed to get Austria to
  agree to a joint Austro-Prussian invasion of the
  Duchies. After a short war, Denmark was forced
  to give up the Duchies to Austria and Prussia.

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The Danish War
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The Danish War

• The Schleswig-Holstein problem (1863-1865) was
  now solved and in 1865, Bismarck made a temporary
  settlement whereby Austria was to run Holstein
  and Prussia was to run Schleswig. This settlement
  was called The Convention of Gastein.
  Meanwhile, in April 1866, Bismarck made an
  alliance with Italy for a war with Austria within
  3 months and Italy would get Venetia as a reward.
  Bismarck was confident that Austria had few
  friends and that neither France nor Russia would
  come to her aid. He had also secured Frances
  word they would stay out of the conflict with
  Austria. Bismarck began to accuse Austria of not
  running Holstein properly and unleashed war on
  Austria. By June Prussian forces occupied
  Holstein and attacked Austria and any other
  German state which were fighting against Prussia.

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The Danish War

• Two benefits of the war with Denmark
• Prussia was seen as a defender of independent
  states, but ironically, nationalism.
• Outcome showed that the Army reforms have
  resulted in an efficient, powerful army, ready
  for future wars, leading to unification.

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The Danish War

• Got Austrias help so there wouldnt be a repeat
  of a previous attempt by Denmark to annex H S
  when Prussia acted alone and Austria told them to
  back down.
• Isolated his enemy-
• 1) B takes the lead Protector of German
  nationalism, not Austria (seen as just a land
  grabber ).
• 2) GB not in a position to help as it would be
  a war on the ground not at sea. Also Queen
  Victoria was keen for it to happen
• 3) FR Too busy in Mexico!
• 4) Russia Indifferent and friends with B.
• (Pupils should do something with the 4 points on
  p.4 of question booklet)

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Austro-Prussian War

• Make sure pupils copy the quotes and use them
  in essays
• Difference of opinions - B. Keen to annex the two
  territories. Austria fate should be decided by
  the Bund.
• B not ready for a war as his diplomatic and
  military preparations were incomplete and he had
  to play for time. Treaty of Gastein Patched up
  difference. This would settle things down long
  enough for B to finish his preparations.
• Master stroke ? Austria look like land
  grabbers See P.119 of textbook. I have never
  really understood this as B wanted to annex them
  not Austria.
• More importantly, Prussia controlled Austrias
  access to Holstein.

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The isolation of Austria

• Why France isolated i.e. neutral? B knew France
  wanted Germany to remain divided. Also Fr had
  ambitions for taken over southern states.
• How Isolated? met Napoleon III at Biarritz.
  Napoleon convinced that if Fr remained neutral,
  then Fr would have territorial compensation
  wherever French is spoken!
• B claims he never promised this.
• GB will not interfere. Not a naval battle
• Russia not friends with Austria.

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Isolation of Austria

• B sought an ally to show other European countries
  that this was not a civil war between two German
  powers. Therefore, these countries would stay
  out of it.
• Italy Chosen because 1) Italy saw Austria as a
  barrier to full unification due to Austria still
  in charge of Venetia. 2) Austrian war with Italy
  and Prussia meant a war on two fronts.

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Isolation of Austria

• B had to act quickly because of Italian
  conditions-
• Alliance with Italy last 3 months only
• Austria had to declare war
• Italy declare war after Prussia declares war
• Italy would get Venetia afterwards

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Isolation od Austria

• B wanted elections to the Bund by universal male
  suffrage! Welcomed by Liberals!
• Rejected by all other German States.
• These states looked like reactionaries
• B Looked like a Liberal light!
• Discuss top right of P5 of booklet

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Isolation of Austria

• Austrias actions
• Austria angry about B access to Holstein
• Austria mobilise before Prussian army because
  they knew their army was inferior.
• Austria mobilises also because Italy moved troops
  to Austrian border
• This made Austria look like the aggressor
  therefore not getting any sympathy, especially
  when Austria refused to be part of a Conference
  to stop any war.

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War with Austria

• On 14th June 1866 Austria declared war on
  Prussia. The Southern states sided with Austria.
  Austria were almost forced into it.
• B issued ultimatums to Southern States to either
  join Prussia or be considered enemies. They all
  sided with Austria. The Austro Prussian war
  began.
• B kept nationalists happy by portraying Prussia
  as fighting to establish a modern unified German
  state.

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War with Austria

• Resistance of small states weak compared to might
  of Prussian army.
• Italy kept Austrian troops distracted in the
  south, which helped Prussia with the only real
  battle of the war Battle of Koniggratz (or
  Sadowa) on 3 July 1866
• A stunning victory for Prussia. Modern
  Army/Railways/ Telegraph.

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War with Austria

• B wanted the war to be concluded quickly and get
  a lenient peace treaty. B wanted to avoid
  wounding Austria. B had achieved his aim of
  pushing Austrians out of German affairs. A quick
  treaty would also end the threat of a French
  invasion and Italian defeat.
• Treaty of Prague 23 August 1866.

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War with Austria

• Main parts of the Treaty-
• Austria to give Venetia to Italy
• Austria expelled from Bund. Lost no land and paid
  only a small compensation.
• 21 States north of River Main came under Prussian
  leadership and formed North German Confederation.
• Southern states could remain independent, but
  were forced to pay money to Prussia. They were
  also forced into military alliances with Prussia.

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War with Austria

• Other consequences of Austro Prussian war
• French power reduced
• B now regarded as a national hero. Even Liberals
  forgive him and reward him 60,000!
• See Feuchtwangers Quote, P123

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Franco-Prussia war

• B Realised that the best way to get the southern
  states to unify with the NGC would be to create
  an enemy who would threaten the southern states
  and they would look to Prussia for protection.
  That enemy would be France.
• See Quote P.124

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Background to the war

• Tensions between France and Prussia-
• Napoleon III annoyed he hadnt been rewarded for
  staying neutral in the Austro-Prussian war. B
  got Napoleon to write out his demands. B leaked
  demands to press and the southern states were
  furious that spme of their land would be given to
  France. Southern states joined with Prussia for
  protection. B now got southern states within his
  control and Fr angered.

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Spanish Candidature. Ems Telegram

• (See Pp. 124 126). Also listen to Mr
  Davidsons summing up. We may also have time to
  watch AJP Taylor.
• Great example of B taking advantage of situations
  that arise.
• See D Thompson quote, P. 124
• The upshot of the EMS telegram incident is that
  France declared war on Prussia, yet again making
  Prussia look like the innocent defender.
  Southern states joined with Prussia and Prussia
  won a decisive victory over the French.

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Outcome of Franco-Prussian war

• 18 January 1871, in the hall of Mirrors in the
  palace of Versailles, William I, King of Prussia
  was proclaimed German Emperor. Emperor of a
  united Germany.
• France suffered a harsh peace treaty. A fact
  that explains why France enacted such a harsh
  treaty on Germany in 1918.

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Importance of B in unification

• Different views
• In the past, Generally accepted that B alone
  responsible
• Recently, views have changed-
• Williamson B exploited forces which already
  existed economic, liberalism and nationalism
• Mosse Bs task was made easier by circumstances

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Importance of B in unification

• Medlicott Bs admirers exaggerated the extent
  of the obstacles in his path
• Aronson B was an opportunist
• Stiles B used flexible policies
• Eyck Unification was a natural and desirable
  development, ie it was going to happen
• Seaman it was Prussias economic power that
  really got the unification process completed.

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