Reforms in Europe and the Unification of Germany & Italy

Unit 7: 19th Century Nationalism

What is Nationalism?

• A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one’s country–Patriotism–Desire for unification or a national identity–Positive & negative

19th Century Nationalism

• Growing belief that loyalty lies within the nation itself (among the people), not with the ruler.

• Nationalism is created through a shared territory, language, culture, history, or religion.

• Most nationalists were considered radical or liberal. They wanted a constitutional government and nation-state formation.–Nation-state: nation with its own independent

government.

Types of Nationalism• Unification: People who live in a similar area

become united despite political and cultural differences. (Italy & Germany)

• Separation: Differing groups of people resist being a part of the state.–Ex: Austrian, Russian, and Ottoman Empire

• State-building: Different groups of people are joined together in the acceptance of a single culture.–Ex: U.S.A.

Germans

• 1806- 1813: Napoleon dissolved the Holy Roman Empire & annexed land along the Rhine River – created the Rhine Confederation.

• 1814: Treaty of Paris declared the German states independent.

• 1815-1839: German states were loosely grouped and formed the German Confederation, dominated by the Austrian Empire.

The Prussian Empire had a primarily German population. This contrasted with the various ethnic groups in Austria-Hungary that tore the empire apart.

Moving towards a German Nation

• 1815: Congress of Vienna redrew the political map of Europe and created a confederation of German states with Prussia as the head

• 1830s: Tariffs between German states were taken away, creating economic unity between them

German Nation Continued

1848: A liberal constitution paved the way for unification. At Frankfurt Assembly the crown of a unified Germany was offered to Frederick William IV of Prussia, but he turned it down. 1861- Wilhelm I succeeded throne and sought reforms Junkers- strongly conservative Prussian landowners who supported Wilhelm I

Enter Otto von Bismarck• Born in Prussia, a Junker(nobility)

• 1862: became chancellor or prime minister

• Realpolitik: “the politics of reality”– Tough power politics with no idealism

Bismarck cont.

Bismarck received the king’s approval to rule without parliamentary consent and without a legal budget These acts violated the constitution, but Bismarck felt that power was more important than

principles… Loyal to Hohenzollern’s (Prussian royals) Basically having tied everyone in economically he manipulated the politics.

Land Seized by Bismarck

Military Under Bismarck• Strengthened the military

• Britain and Germany became the most powerful countries in Europe

• 1. 1864: Prussia & Austria allied against Denmark took Shleswig & Holstein

• (Increased national pride among Prussians)

Military Under Bismarck

• 2. 1866: Seven Weeks’ War – Bismarck provoked Austria into declaring war on Prussia, and Austria was defeated in the seven weeks.

– Venetia was given to Italy

– Prussia annexed more German territory

– Eastern and western parts of the Prussian kingdom were joined with northern Germany

– 1867- remaining northern states joined the Prussian-controlled North German Confederation

Military Under Bismarck

1870: Franco-Prussian War – Napoleon III declared war on Prussia & was defeated within weeks. This finalized Germany’s unification.

Southern Germans accepted Prussian leadership.

Prussia’s King Wilhelm I crowned Kaiser (emperor)The German empire was called the Second ReichPrussian dominance was achieved

The Second Reich• After all the victories, William I of

Prussia became Kaiser or emperor

• Bismarck drafted a new constitution:

– Two-house legislature– Bundesrat: upper house/appointed by rulers– Reichstag: lower house/elected by males

Germany Industrializes

• Leader of continental Europe

• Focused on chemical and electrical industries

• Resources: iron and coal

• Disciplined & • educated workforce

Industrialized Nation cont.

Population boom (lots of buyers & producers)

Railroads Single German currency

Protective tariffs

The Iron Chancellor: Bismarck

• “A government must not waiver once it has chosen it's course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward.” -Otto von Bismarck

• Continued to weaken France

• Crushed local loyalties (to the Church, to ethnic groups– the nation was everything!)

Bismarck cont.

Kulturkampf: battle for civilization – against the Catholic Church Fought against the Social Democratic Party (Socialists/Marxists)

Actually introduced many ideas that we now consider socialist (healthcare, workers comp)

Kaiser William II• Succeeded his grandfather in 1890• Believed in divine right• Asked Bismarck to step down• Strengthened Germany’s military &

navy – wanted an overseas empire• Created many social programs &

further funded education

Road to Italian Unification

• Shared the Italian language but not much else• Hadn’t been ruled together since Rome• People identified with local regions• Congress of Vienna (1815): Austria took

northern Italy, Hapsburgs took other parts & the French took Naples & Sicily in the south

Nationalism Grows in Italy

• Giuseppe Mazzini formed “Young Italy”: a secret society

• “Ideas grow quickly when watered by the blood of martyrs”

• Reminded Italians of their former glory & history (i.e. Rome)

Count Camillo Cavour

• Appointed Prime Minister of • Sardinia• Improved economy• Wanted to take over northern territories from

Austria• Napoleon III of France helped Cavour remove

the Austrians & take back territory

Kingdom of Two Sicilies• Giuseppe Garibaldi recruited 1,000 “red-shirt” volunteers

with the help of Cavour

• Took Sicily first, then went after Naples

• Garibaldi turned over Naples & Sicily to King Victor Emmanuel (ruler of Sardinia)

• Eventually took back the North/Venice

• France abandoned Rome in 1870

Problems that Italy Faced•No tradition of unity

•Strong regional rivalries: north & south

•Power struggle between the Catholic Church – forced to “relocate” in the Vatican

•Political struggle: two-house legislature was set up but very few could vote

•Anarchists attempted to overthrow the government

•Many emigrated to the US, Canada & Latin America

Europe in 1871