Europe Faces Revolution Nationalism Challenges Conservative

Power

Greece

Greeks- 1st to win self-rule• Former part of Ottoman Empire (which was

crumbling at this time, but not fully until 1918)

Cause of Greek independence was popular throughout Europe

Major powers such as Britain/Russia/France recognize an independent Greece in 1830.

1848 Revolutions There were ethnic uprisings in:

• France• Prussia (Germany, Austria)• Italy• Greece• Poland• Hungary

But revolutionaries failed to unite the nations, so they actually took a step backwards.

Russia 1800’s still under feudalism- no

industrialization Due to old ways, Russia was falling

behind other European countries Alexander II- freed serfs, 1861 Nationalism encouraged industrialism, and also ethic groups wanting their own nations.

Old Empires Fall Austria- lost the Austro-Prussian war

in 1866; split Austria and Hungary into independent states= Austro-Hungarian Empire

Russia- Russification- forced culture on all ethic groups

Ottoman- Turks felt superior to other ethnic groups; genocide against Armenians 1894-1896; 1915

France 1830- King wants absolute power Revolt of people Liberal King replaces old one A Paris mob overthrows gov’t replaces it with a representative

government- it falls apart Call for a president Louis-Napoleon III elected president- Nephew of Napoleon

Bonaparte. • Four years later- becomes emperor• Good leader

Italy Camillo Cavour – Prime minister of

Sardinia• Allied with Napoleon III, brought revolution

and unity in N. Italy Giuseppe Garibaldi – unified S. Italy Cavour invaded Papal states, so S.

voted to unite w/Cavour and N. Italy National unification of Italy, but still culturally, economically divided Capital = Rome

Germany German Confederation – loose union

of German states; Prussia – largest; Austria – head of confederation

Otto von Bismarck- Prussia’s Prime Minister

• Realpolitik – seek advantage for nation-state by any means, including war and breaking treaties• Wanted to go to war to unify• Germany under Prussian rule

Wars of Unification• 7 Weeks War – Bismarck & Prussia against Austria. Treaty ending the war set up a united Germany under Prussian control

Wars of Unification (cont.)• Franco-Prussian War – Napoleon III

declared war on Prussia. • Southern German states (not yet united

w/the rest of Germany) sided w/Prussia because disliked France. Defeated France and all German states now unified

• Following Franco-Prussian War all German States unified.

• Germany now an Empire w/Kaiser William I emperor

Bismarck Made laws against Catholics, only

served to strengthen Catholic influence in Germany

Strengthened Industry Tried to crush opposition parties Bismarck’s policies left Germany

strong, but w/o parliamentary democracy. When William I died, his son succeeded him (William II) and dismissed Bismarck (1890)

Results Balance of Power- Undone

• Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia no longer equal

• Britain and Prussia = strongest• France = middle• Austria and Russia = weak

Exit Slip 1. Which aging empires suffered from

the forces of nationalism? 2. What advantages did Prussia have

in leading the German states to unity?

3. How can nationalism be both a unifying and a disunifying force?