Chapter 25 Nationalism

CHAPTER 25 NATIONALISM

25.2 The Unification of Germany

I. Prussia as LeaderA. Germany was a patchwork of

independent states- each had is own laws, currency, and ruler

B. Prussia became the strongest with a great military

C. Napoleon conquest instilled nationalism in the German States and created a rivalry between Prussia and Austria

II. The ZollvereinA. First major step was in economics

1. Many tariffs between states made trade costlyB. 1834 a customs union called the

Zollverein1. Made prices lower and more uniform2. Industrialization spread3. States adopt uniform system of weights,

measures, and currency4. German economy moves towards unification

III. Bismarck and Prussian StrengthA. William I king of Prussia appointed Otto von

Bismarck to head the Prussian cabinet1. Built the Prussian army into a powerful machine2. Opposed democracy- state not the people should

hold authority3. Believed it was Prussia’s destiny to lead the German

people 4. Ignored the Parliament and the constitution to

strengthen“The great questions of the day will not be settledby speeches and majority decisions … but by blood and

iron.”

IV. Wars of UnificationA. The Danish War (1863)

1. Over the duchies of Schleswig and Holsteina. Schleswig population mixed of Germans and

Danesb. Holstein all German

2. Prussia and Austria declare war on Denmarka. Denmark receives no help

3. Denmark quickly surrendered4. Prussia controls Schleswig Austria controls

Holstein

IV. Wars of Unification cont.B. The Seven Weeks’ War (1866)

1. Bismarck provoked Austria to declare war on Prussia over the Schleswig Holstein dispute2. Prussia’s military shines most modern3. defeats once powerful Austria in Seven Weeks4. Treaty of Prague ends the wara. Austria surrendered Holsteinb. North German states united with Prussia to form North German Confederation dominated by Prussia

IV. War of Unification contC. The Franco-Prussian War (1870)

1. Bismarck persuades southern states to join2. Ems dispatch- edited telegram- insults French- published- French declare war3. Southern states unite against threat4. France defeated in a few months

V. Formation of the German EmpireA. January 18, 1871 formation of the

German Empire- all states except Austria

B. Each state had its own ruler, federal government controlled national defense, foreign affairs, and commerce

C. King William I named Emperor 1. Otto von Bismarck named the chancellor

“Iron Chancellor”

V. Formation of the German Empire cont.D. Structure

1. The emperor or Kaiser headed governmenta. chose the Chancellor2. Legislative Brancha. Bundesrat- upper house- 58 membersb. Reichstag- lower house- 400 members3. Constitutiona. favored the state of Prussia