The document discusses the unification of Germany in the 19th century, detailing the rise of Otto von Bismarck and his realpolitik strategies which led to three wars for unification: the Austro-Prussian War, the Franco-Prussian War, and the establishment of the German Empire in 1871. It outlines the political structure of the newly formed empire, dominated by Prussia, and Bismarck's subsequent campaigns against the Catholic Church and socialist movements to maintain order. The document concludes with Bismarck's foreign alliances and the eventual dismissal by Kaiser William II, leading to shifting alliances that contributed to the outbreak of World War I.

1. German Unification
German Unification
Global History II Chapter 23
Global History II Chapter 23

2. 1848 Revolutions Follow
1848 Revolutions Follow
Napoleon’s Path of Conquest
Napoleon’s Path of Conquest

3. Europe 1848

4. Europe 2006
Europe 2006

5. Germany: 1815
Germany: 1815
● Creation of the German Confederation
under the presidency of Austria. Prussia and
Austria were the two most powerful German
states. Traditionally Austria was recognized as
the most important. There was a strong
popular movement for unification but neither
Austria nor Prussia was prepared to allow it
happen.

6. Otto Von Bismarck:
Otto Von Bismarck:
“The Iron Chancellor”
“The Iron Chancellor”
1815-1898
1815-1898

7. Realpolitik
Realpolitik
 Realistic Politics based on the needs
Realistic Politics based on the needs
of the state
of the state
– Whatever actions necessary to achieve his desired goals.
Whatever actions necessary to achieve his desired goals.
 Power more important than
Power more important than
principles
principles
 “
“Blood and Iron” Philosophy
Blood and Iron” Philosophy
– He wanted to eliminate Austrian influence and bring about unification
He wanted to eliminate Austrian influence and bring about unification
on Prussian terms.
on Prussian terms.
– Expand Germany’s Economy and Industrial base with use of its
Expand Germany’s Economy and Industrial base with use of its
resources.
resources.
– Do not make the same mistakes that were made by the French in 1848-
Do not make the same mistakes that were made by the French in 1848-
1849.
1849.

8. 3 Wars for Unification
3 Wars for Unification
 1
1st
st
: An Austrian-Prussian invasion of
: An Austrian-Prussian invasion of Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein led to the end of Danish
led to the end of Danish
control of these provinces. Prussia gained a lot of support especially among
control of these provinces. Prussia gained a lot of support especially among
German nationalists who wanted to see these provinces come under German
German nationalists who wanted to see these provinces come under German
control.
control.
 2
2nd
nd
:
: Austro-Prussian War results in Prussian control (Annexes) of several northern
Austro-Prussian War results in Prussian control (Annexes) of several northern
German states.
German states.
– Dissolved the old confederation and establishes a new one dominated by
Dissolved the old confederation and establishes a new one dominated by
Prussia
Prussia
– Southern states were left independent, form military alliances with Prussia
Southern states were left independent, form military alliances with Prussia
 3
3rd
rd
:
: Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War results in the completion of German Unification
results in the completion of German Unification
– William I of Prussia assumes the role of
William I of Prussia assumes the role of Kaiser
Kaiser, or emperor of Germany, with
, or emperor of Germany, with
Otto Von Bismarck as Chancellor.
Otto Von Bismarck as Chancellor.

9. Germany 1871
Germany 1871
● The new German Empire
emerged as Europe’s
foremost military power.
Prussia dominated this
new German state.

10. Meeting at Versailles
Meeting at Versailles

11. United German States
United German States
 Prussia dominated the new Germany that was
Prussia dominated the new Germany that was
called the
called the Second Reich
Second Reich.
.
 The new constitution drawn up by Bismarck was
The new constitution drawn up by Bismarck was
a Federal system.
a Federal system.
 Each of the twenty-five states had considerable
Each of the twenty-five states had considerable
control over their affairs and decided their own
control over their affairs and decided their own
form of government; e.g. Bavaria and Saxony
form of government; e.g. Bavaria and Saxony
were ruled by kings.
were ruled by kings.
 Under the constitution there were to be
Under the constitution there were to be three
three
branches of the Federal government:
branches of the Federal government:

12. The Presidency
The Presidency
 The Presidency
The Presidency which was held by the
which was held by the
King of Prussia
King of Prussia (as German Emperor).
(as German Emperor).
The German Emperor had considerable
The German Emperor had considerable
powers. He had personal control of the
powers. He had personal control of the
armed forces.
armed forces. He appointed and
He appointed and
dismissed all ministers including the
dismissed all ministers including the
Chancellor
Chancellor.
.

13. The Federal Council
The Federal Council
 The
The Federal Council
Federal Council (or
(or Bundesrat
Bundesrat)
)
represented the different states of the
represented the different states of the
Empire. It had fifty-eight members.
Empire. It had fifty-eight members.
Seventeen were from Prussia, six from
Seventeen were from Prussia, six from
Bavaria, four from Saxony. It had the
Bavaria, four from Saxony. It had the
power to change the constitution.
power to change the constitution.
However no change could be made to the
However no change could be made to the
constitution if fourteen delegates
constitution if fourteen delegates
objected. This in practice meant that
objected. This in practice meant that
Prussia could always stop change.
Prussia could always stop change.

14. The Parliament
The Parliament
 The
The Parliament
Parliament or
or Reichstag
Reichstag was elected by
was elected by Universal
Universal
Male Suffrage
Male Suffrage (all males over 25 could vote) and
(all males over 25 could vote) and Secret
Secret
Ballot
Ballot. It voted on the Federal budget and its consent was
. It voted on the Federal budget and its consent was
needed for all legislation. This was the most advanced
needed for all legislation. This was the most advanced
system in Europe at this time.
system in Europe at this time.
 However, the powers of the Reichstag were limited:
However, the powers of the Reichstag were limited:
– It could not initiate legislation.
It could not initiate legislation.
– It had no say in the appointment or dismissal of the
It had no say in the appointment or dismissal of the
Chancellor or Imperial ministers. The Imperial Chancellor
Chancellor or Imperial ministers. The Imperial Chancellor
was appointed by the Emperor.
was appointed by the Emperor. He was in charge of foreign
He was in charge of foreign
policy.
policy.
– The Kaiser (
The Kaiser (in effect Bismarck
in effect Bismarck) could dissolve it any time
) could dissolve it any time
with the agreement of the Bundesrat.
with the agreement of the Bundesrat.

15. Campaign Against the
Campaign Against the
Church
Church
 Bismarck Distrusts Catholics-especially clergy-thought loyalty
was with Pope and not Germany
 He Launches Kulturkampf or “battle for civilization”
– Laws passed to make Catholics put loyalty of state above loyalty to
Church
– Other laws would close religious orders, expel Jesuits, marriage by
civil authority
 Plan BACKFIRES-faithful rally behind Church
– Bismarck makes peace with the Church

16. Campaign Against the
Campaign Against the
Socialists
Socialists
 Threat-Growing power of Socialism (Social Democratic Party)
Threat-Growing power of Socialism (Social Democratic Party)
– Parliamentary democracy
Parliamentary democracy
– Laws to improve conditions for the working class
Laws to improve conditions for the working class
 Bismarck dissolves the Party, shuts down newspapers, bans
Bismarck dissolves the Party, shuts down newspapers, bans
meetings
meetings
 Plan BACKFIRES again
Plan BACKFIRES again
– To make amends, he sponsors laws to protect workers
To make amends, he sponsors laws to protect workers
– Health, accident, old-age insurance, and retirement benefits
Health, accident, old-age insurance, and retirement benefits
– Bismarck avoids revolution!!!
Bismarck avoids revolution!!!
 Proves
Proves Realpolitik
Realpolitik DOES have a “social reform” element
DOES have a “social reform” element

17. Bismarck’s Foreign
Bismarck’s Foreign
Alliances
Alliances
 Three Emperors League
Three Emperors League
– 1872 Alliance between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary.
1872 Alliance between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary.
 Goal of isolating France, who was still upset over the loss of Alsace-
Goal of isolating France, who was still upset over the loss of Alsace-
Lorraine and Revanche to Germany
Lorraine and Revanche to Germany
 Triple Alliance
Triple Alliance
– 1882 When the French occupied Tunisia, Bismarck took advantage of
1882 When the French occupied Tunisia, Bismarck took advantage of
Italian resentment towards France and created the
Italian resentment towards France and created the Triple Alliance
Triple Alliance
between Germany, Italy and Austria- Hungary
between Germany, Italy and Austria- Hungary
 In exchange for Italy's agreement to stay neutral if war broke out between
In exchange for Italy's agreement to stay neutral if war broke out between
Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary would protect
Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary would protect
Italy from France.
Italy from France.
 Reinsurance Treaty
Reinsurance Treaty
– 1887 Russia and Austria-Hungary grew suspicious of each other over
1887 Russia and Austria-Hungary grew suspicious of each other over
conflicts in the Balkans
conflicts in the Balkans
 Bismarck repaired the damage to his alliances with a
Bismarck repaired the damage to his alliances with a Reinsurance Treaty
Reinsurance Treaty
with Russia, allowing both powers to stay neutral if the other was at war.
with Russia, allowing both powers to stay neutral if the other was at war.

18. Kaiser William II
Kaiser William II
 Succeeds his Grandfather in 1888
Succeeds his Grandfather in 1888
 Dismisses Bismarck in 1890
Dismisses Bismarck in 1890
 He would continue some
He would continue some social
social
welfare
welfare programs such as cheap
programs such as cheap
transportation, electricity, and
transportation, electricity, and
public schooling
public schooling
 His main efforts, however, were
His main efforts, however, were
spent improving the German
spent improving the German
Navy and building an impressive
Navy and building an impressive
overseas empire through
overseas empire through
aggressive militarism rivaling
aggressive militarism rivaling
Britain and France
Britain and France
 Bismarck’s alliances would fall by
Bismarck’s alliances would fall by
the wayside and the French
the wayside and the French
would take advantage, eventually
would take advantage, eventually
forming the
forming the Triple Entente
Triple Entente with
with
Britain and Russia
Britain and Russia

19. World War I Alliances
World War I Alliances