AP Euro: German Unification

Summary

The unification of Italy and Germany in the 19th century reshaped European politics. Italy's unification, led by figures like Cavour and Garibaldi, culminated in 1871, while Germany’s unification was driven by Otto von Bismarck through a series of wars: the Danish, Austro-Prussian, and Franco-Prussian wars. Bismarck’s Realpolitik and military strategy successfully unified Germany, establishing it as Europe's dominant power. This shift disrupted the balance of power, humiliated France, and led to a new era of diplomatic alliances. These events set the stage for future European tensions and conflict in the 20th century.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bismarck was the architect behind German unification, using realpolitik to achieve his goals through diplomacy and war.
• 😀 The unification of Germany took place in three key phases, each marked by a pivotal war that shifted the European balance of power.
• 😀 The first key war, the Prussian-Danish War, helped Prussia and Austria liberate two provinces from Denmark, setting the stage for further conflict.
• 😀 Bismarck’s goal was to keep Austria out of the German unification process, which he achieved through the Austro-Prussian War.
• 😀 In the Austro-Prussian War, Prussia decisively defeated Austria, and peace terms included Austria’s withdrawal from German affairs and the ceding of Venice to Italy.
• 😀 The Franco-Prussian War in 1870 was a diplomatic maneuver by Bismarck, who provoked France into declaring war, thus uniting the German states.
• 😀 The Franco-Prussian War united the German states against France, leading to a swift victory and the harsh treatment of France in the peace terms.
• 😀 France had to pay reparations and cede the territories of Alsace and Lorraine to the newly unified German Empire.
• 😀 The German Empire was officially proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles in 1871, symbolizing both victory and the humiliation of France.
• 😀 The unification of Germany disrupted the European balance of power, making Germany the dominant power in Europe and leading to the creation of new alliances.

Q & A

Who was the key figure behind German unification?

Otto von Bismarck was the key figure behind German unification. He employed realpolitik, using pragmatic and often ruthless methods to unify Germany under Prussian leadership.

What was the main problem Germany faced before unification?

Germany was fragmented into many independent states, and the main issue was determining whether they would unify under the Habsburgs of Austria or the Hohenzollerns of Prussia.

What does the term 'realpolitik' mean in the context of Bismarck's actions?

Realpolitik refers to Bismarck's approach of making political decisions based on practical considerations rather than ideological beliefs, often using manipulation, diplomacy, and war to achieve goals.

What were the key wars that helped in the unification of Germany?

The three key wars were the Prussian-Danish War, the Austro-Prussian War, and the Franco-Prussian War.

How did Bismarck justify Prussia's involvement in the Prussian-Danish War?

Bismarck argued that the provinces controlled by Denmark were culturally German and should be ruled by Germans. He formed an alliance with Austria to free these provinces from Danish control.

What was the outcome of the Austro-Prussian War for Austria?

Austria was defeated in the Austro-Prussian War and was forced to agree to peace terms that included staying out of German affairs and ceding Venice to Italy.

How did Bismarck ensure the success of the Austro-Prussian War?

Bismarck secured non-interference agreements with other great powers like France and Russia, making sure they would not intervene in the conflict, and he manipulated tensions to provoke Austria into the war.

Why did Bismarck provoke France into declaring war in 1870?

Bismarck needed a common enemy to unite the southern German states with the north. He doctored the Ems Dispatch, making it appear that a Prussian diplomat insulted Napoleon III, provoking France into declaring war.

What were the peace terms after the Franco-Prussian War?

After the Franco-Prussian War, France had to pay large reparations, cede the territories of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany, and the German Empire was proclaimed with Wilhelm I crowned Kaiser in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

How did the unification of Germany affect the balance of power in Europe?

The unification of Germany upset the European balance of power, as Germany became the most powerful nation in Europe, challenging France and altering the dynamics of European diplomacy.