Inquiry Question: What were the causes and consequences of the Unification of Germany in 1871?

“Not by speeches and votes of the majority, are the great questions of the time decided — that was the error of 1848 and 1849 — but by iron and blood.” – Otto von Bismarck (1862)

Use your computer to research what happened in 1848 and 1849. In other words, what is Bismarck referring to in this quotation?

“Nations are, among other things, a collective agreement, partly coerced, to affirm a common history as the basis for a shared future.” – Thomas Bender, American historian

“Nations are like families. We are born into them. We recognize and accept each other as a part of the nation. We know who is and isn’t part of our family. Nations shape the identities and values of their citizens just as parents do with their children.” – Mr. Mitchler (yes I can make up quotes if I want to)

Source B: “Germany Before World War I,” AlphaHistory

“Why was this new model of statehood so attractive? Early nation-states—France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States—quickly became more powerful than the old dynastic kingdoms and empires. Nationalism allowed rulers to raise more taxes from the ruled and to count on their political loyalty. Perhaps most important, nation-states proved able to defeat empires on the battlefield. Universal military conscription—invented by the revolutionary government of France—enabled nation-states to recruit massive armies whose soldiers were motivated to fight for their fatherland. From 1816 to 2001, nation-states won somewhere between 70 and 90 percent of their wars with empires or dynastic states.” – Andreas Wimmer, Professor of Sociology and Political Philosophy at Columbia University, published in Foreign Affairs (2019)

In Summary…

The Unification of Germany in 1871 was perhaps the most politically significant event in the 19th century. For the first time in its history, Europe had a cohesive and unified German state in the heart of the continent. This fundamentally altered the balance of power established by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Over the following decades, Germany’s military and economic power would grow alarming its neighbors, particularly Russia and France. The appearance of this new powerful state would dominate relations between European great powers up to the outbreak of World War One. Furthermore, the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany created strong nationalism in France and the French Third Republic would continue to look for ways to reclaim its lost territory. Finally, Germany’s imperial ambitions under Kaiser Wilhelm II would lead Germany into greater competition with Great Britain.

Key Terminology

Nationalism	The concept or belief that each nation should be free and independent within its natural “homeland”. The government exists to protect the independence and security of the nation and to carry out their will. Nationalism also encourages people to have pride in their national identity (similar to patriotism).
Nation	A nation is concept that refers to a large group of people who share a common history, culture and language. Technically, a country is not the same thing as a nation. (e.g. French nation)
State	The state is a legal and political entity that governs a defined territory, has a central government, and possesses a permanent territory.
Austro-Prussian War	A short war between Austria and Prussia in 1866. Prussia won and as a result Austria’s influence over the independent German states ended. Afterwards, Austria would focus its efforts on expanding in the Balkan region (eastern Europe). Prussia greatly expanded its territory in northern Germany.
Otto von Bismarck	Nicknamed the “iron chancellor”, Bismarck was the de facto leader of Prussia from 1862-1891. Known for realpolitik, meaning everything he did was to increase the power of Prussia (later Germany) and not for ideological or idealistic reasons (e.g. religion, patriotism, morality). Bismarck’s actions were instrumental in leading to the Unification of Germany in 1871. He would later be removed from government by Kaiser Wilhelm II who did not appreciate the chancellor’s political influence. Wilhelm would then take a larger role in German international diplomacy.
Franco-Prussian War	Another short war fought in 1870-71 between Prussia and France. Although France declared war first, the conflict was provoked by Bismarck who wanted to motivate the southern German states to join Prussia. France lost decisively, ending the reign of Emperor Napoleon III and leading to the establishment of the French Third Republic. Upon victory, the German Empire was proclaimed. In the Treaty of Frankfurt, France was forced to hand over the territory of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany and pay a heavy indemnity. This humiliation and loss of territory viewed by many French as part of their homeland was a reason for France to fight WWI.
Alsace-Lorraine	A territory in central Europe with a mixture of French and German speaking people. France lost the territory in the Franco-Prussian War. Germany claimed it because of its German speaking population.
Revanchism	A feeling of humiliation and desire for revenge against a perceived wrong or injustice. Closely related to nationalism, revanchism leads to bad feelings towards another nation or state. France experienced revanchism towards Germany after the Franco-Prussian War because they wanted to retake Alsace-Lorraine.