1、Otto von Bismarck 1815-1894,“The Architect of the new Germany” ?,The German Bund, 1815,Prussia clearly shown as largest German state Important gains in 1815 Note also dominant position of Austria,Bismarck the man,Family influences a) his father b) his mother Political views Attitude towards a united
2、 Germany,The German Problem,Post Olmutz Germanys frontiers still ill-defined Legacy of Austrian influence Lack of nationalist tradition in Germany Weakness shown in 1848,Prussia to echo Piedmont ? BUT Prussia also major European power Economic developments clearly favouring Prussia over Austria,King
3、 William I,Served as King 1861-70 Devoted to the Army More resolute than his brother Felt humiliated over Olmutz anxious for army reform Military problems highlighted in 1859,Bismarck Minister President,King facing problems with Progressives over army budget Bismarck in Paris 1859-62 (comment by kin
4、g) Bismarck anti-liberal ”Germany does not look to Prussias liberalism ” “The great questions of the day will not be decided by speeches and resolutions of majorities but by blood and iron.” William persuaded to impose new taxes without consent of Diet,Bismarcks Ideology,Since 1851 had pushed for th
5、e exclusion of Austria from German affairs Bismarck NOT a German nationalist -Far more a Prussian nationalist Aware of need to maintain balance of power in Europe,The International Situation,All in Bismarcks favour in the 1860s Austria & Russia on poor terms France and Russia both seeking to change
6、balance of power What of GB?,The Polish Revolt,Poland divided between Austria, Prussia & Russia Feared revolt would spread Supported Russia not popular,Bismarck & Austria (1),Persuaded William not to support proposed change to Bund 1863 Danish king attempted to overturn the Treaty of London & annex
7、Schleswig-Holstein Provinces claimed by German prince Great upsurge in national feeling,Bismarck & Austria (2),Bismarck probably had designs for duchies However followed cautious approach January 1864 joint Austro-Prussian force went war against Denmark Following Convention of Gastein Prussia to adm
8、inister Schleswig, Austria Holstein “papering over the cracks,Austrias position by 1862,No chance of help from Russia,GB unwilling/ unable to help,French support unlikely!,Napoleon III persuaded to remain neutral,War with Austria, 1866,Duchies split by Convention of Gastein Bismarck had meeting with
9、 Napoleon III agreement made concerning Venetia Alliance made with Italy Bismarck manoeuvred Austria into declaring war Many German states sided with Austria!,The North German Confederation,Austrians defeated at Sadowa War ended by Treaty of Prague Austrians ceded Venetia, agreed to Prussian annexat
10、ion of Schleswig-Holstein & agreed to the end of the German Bund To be replaced by the North German Confederation,War with France,South German states excluded from new union France unhappy with new situation Hohenzollern candidature gave Bismarck opportunity to provoke war Doctored the Ems Telegram
11、Napoleon III provoked into war,Proclamation of the Empire,SGS sided with Prussia at outbreak of war French surrendered after defeat at Sedan German Reich proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles,Key Issues,How necessary was war with France to Bismarcks plans? Why did Bismarcks blood and iron
12、speech caused so much controversy in the period 1862-71? Did Bismarck have a clear aim or a clear strategy with regard to the four south German states?,Key Issues (2),How important was the army reform issue to the position and power of Bismarck in the period 1862-66? How important was the development of the Zollverein to the unification of Germany ? How far did the outcome of the war of 1866 marked the defeat of German liberalism ?,
