German Unification OH-series.

Background:

· Vienna Congress 1814/15: German Confederation, Austria.

· Prussia Zollverein 1834. Growing economy and political power.

1850 Erfurt to Olmütz:

· Revolts of 1848/49 weakened Austria.

· Radowitz (advisor to Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm) suggests a North German Union which would exclude Austria.

· Called Erfurt union 1850.

· German small states not interested and Austria “we shall not let ourselves be thrown out of Germany”.

· Austria gets Russian support.

· Forces Prussia to abandon the Erfurt Union at the meeting in Olmütz.

· Austria has won the first victory.

Austria attempted to extend power:

· Austria tries to get access to the Zollverein.

· The small states were not interested in letting in Austria. They feared an military and economically strong Austria.

· Austria signs agreement with Prussia and can trade with the Zollverein but remains outside.

Foreign politics:

· The Crimean War 1853 -1856:

o Prussia neutral. Smart not to take advantage of temporary Russian weakness and showing that Prussia guaranteed the borders between Prussia and Russia.

o Austria only cared about its imperial status and supported the British and French against the Russians.

o This upset the Russians and meant an end to the alliance between Austria and Russia.

· Italy:

o War against Austria.

o Prussia doesn’t want to support isolated Austria.

o Austria looses.

o Prussia then moves troops towards the Rhine-border to hault French expansionism.

o Sends the signal that Prussia is willing to support German interests.

o In 1860 Prussia supports south german states and this means that Napoleon III can’t expand further east.

The Prussian Army:

· Helmut von Moltke:

o Political genius.

o Reforms the army.

· Size organization technology:

o Could mobilize 370 000 men.

o Railway

o Strict training of officers.

o Quick mobilization

o New weapons.

Prussian economy:

· Natural resources

· Tax reforms

· Coal and Iron.

· Krupp’s Industries.

· “the German Empire was not founded on blood and iron but on coal and iron”

· Zollverein.

Prussian constitutional crisis:

· Wilhelm succeeds F W 1860.

· Liberal vs Conservative

· Otto von Bismarck.

o 1862

o “Gap Theory”

o Blood and Iron.

Bismarckian foreign policies:

· Polish revolt 1863. Once again showing the Russians that he didn’t want a conflict with them.

· Excluding the Austrians from Zollverein 1865

· Austria answers with summoning the Assembly of Princes, but Prussia refuses to attend and therefore it has little or no legitimacy.

· Was this planned by Bismarck? Historical discussion.

Schleswig-Holstein:

· London protocol 1852, left both the Danish and the princes unsatisfied.

· 1863 Christian IX upsets the Germans.

· Did Bismarck set up a trap for Austria?

· Prussia and Austria attacks.

· Peace in Vienna 1864.

· Joint rule. Prussia responsible for Schleswig, Austria for Holstein.

The Austro-Prussian War

· Diplomatic preparations:

o 1864 and early 1865 war with Austria was to risky

§ what would France do? Bismarck met with Napoleon III who guaranteed neutrality.

§ What would happen with Italy, could they open up a second front on Austria? Yes, an agreement with Prussia and Italy concerning Zollverein is reached. Italy would agree to fight on Prussia’s side if they would be rewarded Venetia.

· The war begins in June 1866

o Prussia accused Austria of harboring refugees from the harsh Prussian rule in Schleswig.

o Prussia also goes to war against southern German states (Bavaria and Würtemberg the most important ones).

o July 3 Battle at Sadowa the Austrians is defeated. The road to Vienna is opened.

o Prussia stops there. They fear the French reaction. Balance of power since Vienna Congress.

· The Treaty of Prague.

o Read the quote on p 89 in the handouts you got “The entire Prussian campaign…”

o North German Confederation under Prussia’s rule is formed for all territories above the river Main.

o Austria surrenders only but significantly in Pride not in territory.

o Austria turns it’s hungry eyes towards the Balkans instead. Consequence WW1.

o Hungary gets partial sovereignty with the Compromise of 1867.

The Surrender of Prussian liberals:

· Bismarck Act of Indemnity. Gets Pardon from Parliament.

· The constitution of the Confederation:

o Universal manhood suffrage

o Freedom of speech

o Submitting the budget to parliament.

o BUT Bismarck is responsible, but to whom?

The southern states:

· Bavaria, catholic anti-prussian. But none to cooperate with.

Germany and France:

· In Luxemburg Bismarck fails.

· Hohenzollern candidature:

o Revolution in Spain 1868 house of Bourbon kicked out.

o Ems Telegram, published by Prussian newspapers. Show them.

o France declared war July 19

o Prussia wins. Consequence for WW1.

o Gets king of Bavaria to agree to unification in nov 1870.

o January 18 1871 in Versailles German Emperor.