National UNIFICATIONS and Diplomatic Tensions [AP Euro Review—Unit 7 Topic 3]

Summary

This video explores the key events leading up to World War I, starting with the Crimean War and its impact on European power dynamics. It covers the unification of Italy under Cavour and Garibaldi, as well as Germany's unification orchestrated by Bismarck. The video delves into Bismarck's realpolitik, his strategic wars, and alliances to isolate France. Additionally, it examines growing nationalist movements in the Balkans, the instability they caused, and how European alliances set the stage for the First World War. This historical narrative links pivotal events that reshaped Europe’s political landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Crimean War (1853-1856) broke the Concert of Europe, ending a long period of peace and setting the stage for future conflicts in Europe.
• 😀 The Crimean War arose from religious tensions within the Ottoman Empire and the strategic ambitions of France and Russia.
• 😀 Despite being humiliated, Russia's defeat in the Crimean War led to a reorganization of European power dynamics, which benefited Italy and Germany's unification efforts.
• 😀 Italian unification was driven by key leaders such as Count Cavour, who worked to expel Austrian influence from Northern Italy and align with France for military support.
• 😀 Giuseppe Garibaldi played a crucial role in unifying Southern Italy with his military campaigns, ultimately leading to the formation of a united Italy under Victor Emmanuel II.
• 😀 Otto von Bismarck's use of realpolitik—pragmatic political strategies aimed at achieving practical goals—was key to German unification through strategic wars and alliances.
• 😀 The Danish War (1864), Austro-Prussian War (1866), and Franco-Prussian War (1870) were the three key wars Bismarck used to unite the German states under Prussia's leadership.
• 😀 Bismarck’s manipulation of international diplomacy, including the creation of alliances like the Three Emperors’ League and the Triple Alliance, isolated France and strengthened Germany.
• 😀 The Congress of Berlin (1878) failed to address nationalist movements in the Balkans, contributing to instability in the region, which later played a role in the outbreak of WWI.
• 😀 Rising nationalist movements in the Balkans, combined with the complex system of alliances in Europe, created the tensions that would ultimately lead to World War I.

Q & A

What was the Crimean War, and what were its main causes?

The Crimean War, fought from 1853 to 1856, was a conflict between Russia and an alliance of France, Britain, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia. Its primary causes were religious tensions in the Ottoman Empire, Russia's desire to expand its influence, and both France and Russia seeking to weaken the Ottoman Empire.

How did the Crimean War affect the Concert of Europe?

The Crimean War effectively broke up the Concert of Europe, a system that had maintained peace in Europe since the Napoleonic Wars. The war's outcome and the withdrawal of Britain and Russia from continental affairs left a power vacuum that led to the unifications of Italy and Germany.

What was Count Cavour's role in the unification of Italy?

Count Cavour, the Prime Minister of Piedmont-Sardinia, was a key figure in Italian unification. He used political strategies, alliances, and military power to drive out Austrian influence and lead the movement for a unified Italy. His negotiations with Napoleon III helped facilitate the removal of Austria from northern Italy.

What role did Giuseppe Garibaldi play in unifying southern Italy?

Giuseppe Garibaldi was a military leader who led the nationalist 'Red Shirts' in southern Italy. He successfully conquered the southern regions and then handed over control to Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont, contributing significantly to the unification of Italy.

How did the Franco-Prussian War contribute to the unification of Germany?

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870 was crucial for German unification. Otto von Bismarck used the war to rally the southern German states to Prussia's side by provoking France into declaring war. The victory over France united Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1871.

What was Otto von Bismarck's strategy for unifying Germany?

Otto von Bismarck used realpolitik—a pragmatic, power-driven approach—to unify Germany. He manipulated diplomatic situations and engineered wars (such as the Danish, Austro-Prussian, and Franco-Prussian Wars) to increase Prussia's power and unite the German states under Prussian leadership.

What was the significance of the Three Emperors' League?

The Three Emperors' League, formed in 1873, was an alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. It aimed to stabilize Eastern Europe, particularly the Balkans, and isolate France. However, it eventually collapsed due to differing interests, particularly over the Balkans.

How did Bismarck use alliances to strengthen Germany's position in Europe?

Bismarck formed key alliances, such as the Three Emperors' League and the Triple Alliance, to diplomatically isolate France and secure Germany's position as the dominant power in Europe. These alliances ensured that Germany would not face a two-front war and helped maintain peace in Europe until his dismissal in 1890.

Why was the Balkans a source of tension in Europe during the 19th century?

The Balkans were a region of growing nationalist movements, as various ethnic groups sought independence from Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire. The major European powers were involved in the region's politics, which increased tensions and eventually contributed to the outbreak of World War I.

What role did the Congress of Berlin play in the Balkans?

The Congress of Berlin in 1878 aimed to resolve the growing tensions in the Balkans by addressing the nationalistic aspirations of various groups. However, the decisions made at the congress largely ignored these nationalist movements and instead focused on maintaining the balance of power between the European great powers, which ultimately exacerbated tensions in the region.