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Bismarck and unification of germany 1848-71

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Reply 20

I've got this exam too. A bit scared, but it should be okay. Below is a time line of key events I've done. Please tell me if I've missed anything, and you are of course welcome to use it :p:

1815 – Congress of Vienna, German Confederation Established
1818 – Zollverein established
1845-6 – Potato crops failed
1847 – FW opens Unit Diet (no power)
1847-8 – Grain harvest failed
1848 February – French King overthrown, sparks revolution across Europe
1848 March – Liberals met at Frankfurt to discuss a National Constituent Assembly
1848 March – German Rebellion in S-H
1848 13th March – Emperor Ferdinand promises constitution
1848 21st March – FW rides through the streets of Berlin
1848 May – First meetings of the FP
1848 May – First meetings of PNA
1848 October – PNA ordered to leave, military strength in Berlin increased
1848 November – 2,000 demonstrators killed in Vienna
1848 December – PNA dissolved, FW granted new constitution
1849 March – FP Constitution finished
1849 March – Civil war in Austria Empire ends
1849 3rd April – FW declines offer of Kaiser
1849 April – FP collapses
1850 March – Erfurt Union created
1850 November – Humiliation of Olmutz
1852 – Zollverein included all states other than Austria
1852 – Treaty of London (S-H)
1854 – Crimean War
1859 – Austria went to war with France, Austria defeated
1859 – Nationalverein established
1861 January – Wilhelm I succeeds Friedrich Wilhelm IV
1862 – Constitutional Crisis
1862 23rd September – Bismarck appointed Minister-President
1863 – Polish revolt
1863 August – Austria Emperor calls princes to discuss reforming the confederation
1863 – Danish King attempts to incorporate Schleswig into Denmark
1863 December – Confederation troops move into Holstein, Austria and Prussia ally
1864 February-October – War with Denmark
1865 August – Convention of Gastein agreed
1865 October – Bismarck meets Napoleon at Biarritz
1866 (7 weeks) – Austro-Prussian War
1866 3rd July – Battle at Koniggratz, Austria decisively beaten
1866 August – Peace of Prague
1866 August – Napoleon demands western parts of Germany
1867 – Napoleon looked to buy Luxemburg
1868 – Spanish revolution
1870 – Hohenzollen offered Spanish throne
1870 – Ems Telegram released
1870 19th July – France declares war on Prussia
1870 2nd September – Battle of Sedan, 100,000 French troops captured
1871 January – French agree to armistice
1871 18th January – Second Reich proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles

Reply 21

Whoa, I would never ever remember that, i tend to do the opposite, get the sequence of events, and figure out the date from it!


Goodluck everyone!!

Reply 22

Anyone fancy explaining to me in simple terms the Erfurt Union and the Danish war and their significance?

Reply 23

juicylucy :)
Anyone fancy explaining to me in simple terms the Erfurt Union and the Danish war and their significance?


EEE-SAY. Here we go.

The Prussian Union Plan was unacceptable to Austria (reduced role of Austrias influence in German). However, Schwarzenburg was distracted by the Hungarian uprising at the time and could not deal with the situation.

It gave Prussias army (strongest ger authority) to press the plan. "Three Kings Alliance' between Prussia, Saxony and Hanover was the first step up. It was followed by smaller states agreeing to the Prussian Plan. Radowitz in the momentum called reps of all the states to Erfut in March 1950.

-A new Reich was formed.
-28 states agreed to a Prussian dominated Erfurt Union
-Some imp states didn't join fearful of Austrias reaction.

It prompted an Austrian response, which pulled major states like Hanover?, Saxony etc away from the idea with a shared power under an Austrian plan.

Then there was that whole Hesse Cassel affair...

By Danish war, do you mean the one in 1864? A little confused, or are you talking about the Danish war scare!? Which prompted nationalism within Ger ?

Reply 24

kashmir.noir
EEE-SAY. Here we go.

The Prussian Union Plan was unacceptable to Austria (reduced role of Austrias influence in German). However, Schwarzenburg was distracted by the Hungarian uprising at the time and could not deal with the situation.

It gave Prussias army (strongest ger authority) to press the plan. "Three Kings Alliance' between Prussia, Saxony and Hanover was the first step up. It was followed by smaller states agreeing to the Prussian Plan. Radowitz in the momentum called reps of all the states to Erfut in March 1950.

-A new Reich was formed.
-28 states agreed to a Prussian dominated Erfurt Union
-Some imp states didn't join fearful of Austrias reaction.

It prompted an Austrian response, which pulled major states like Hanover?, Saxony etc away from the idea with a shared power under an Austrian plan.

Then there was that whole Hesse Cassel affair...

By Danish war, do you mean the one in 1864? A little confused, or are you talking about the Danish war scare!? Which prompted nationalism within Ger ?


1864 February-October War with Denmark

I suspect it's that from the timeline?
Also, why did the Polish revolt happen?
Sorry for so many questions!

Reply 25

The war with Denmark started because the Danish King attempted to incorporate Schleswig into Denmark. This caused a surge of nationalism across Germany & the Duke of Augustenberg proclaimed himself Duke of Schleswig - this was largely supported by the German Confederation.
Old Bis didn't want another independent state in north Germany, and so worked with Austria (they didn't want a triumph in German nationalism) to prevent Augustenberg becoming Duke. However, Confederation troops moved in and Prussia and Austria went in to take control. Denmark was overwhelmed. The powers met in London to settle the situation, the Danish king was a stubborn git, which lost him international support. Bis was then able to ignore the Treaty of London. Prussia and Austria oversaw the running of the duchies for following two years.

Then the build up to the Austro-Prussian war. Therefore, the main significance of the war with Denmark was that it made a confrontation between Prussia and Austria inevitable (as they were left in charge of the duchies).

Polish revolt was because the Poles wanted independence, I believe.

Reply 26

Holldddddd up!

Wasn't Hollestien and Schleswig divided between Austria and Prussia. I forget which one it is, but one was more predominately Prussian, the other more predominately Austrian/Danish. And then both Austria and Prussia had "Dual Authority" over the Duchies.

*Runs to find text book to check*

Reply 27

That was the Convention of Gastein (sp?) in 1865, so a bit late for the Danish war, I think.

I've not learnt this stuff 100% yet (I prey there is still time), so I may well be wrong.

Reply 28

kashmir.noir
Holldddddd up!

Wasn't Hollestien and Schleswig divided between Austria and Prussia. I forget which one it is, but one was more predominately Prussian, the other more predominately Austrian/Danish. And then both Austria and Prussia had "Dual Authority" over the Duchies.

*Runs to find text book to check*


Holstein went to Austria and Schleswig to Prussia- just checked lol

New q- what did the revolutions of 1848/49 reveal about the weaknesses of those pressing for greater German unity? (20)

Reply 29

*Princess*
Holstein went to Austria and Schleswig to Prussia- just checked lol

Thankyouverymuch. :smile:

*Princess*
New q- what did the revolutions of 1848/49 reveal about the weaknesses of those pressing for greater German unity? (20)


-Wasn't widespread (limited revolution), riots in Berlin & unrest in Rhineland & Silesia. In smaller states peasants attacked land lords. In Baden there was a brief republic. Popular risings in Saxony & Bavaria put down quickly.

-Revolutionary division, the liberals vs. the radicals/republicans. Different aims (Grossdeutschland vs. Kliendeutschland vs. united empire) and views.
-Social groups interest division too.
-Frankfurt Parliament- doomed from the start. Didn't over throw power structures, it was to idealist =impractical, took ages to decide on constitution.

-Attitudes of Austria + Prussia, each wanted domination, and no rulers wanted to see their powers limited by a liberal constitution or a central authority.

-Rural apathy, the peasants weren't in desperate need, unenthusiastic.

-Loss of support, progress of Frankfurt Parliament took too long, loss of interest, short lived.

-Conservative strength, better organized, military power, determination. Restoration of Austrian power, with its policy back on line put everyone in its place. keeping Prussia divided and weak!

---

Next question.

How consistent were Bismarcks aims & methods from 1862-1872?

Reply 30

kashmir.noir
-Wasn't widespread, riots in Berlin & unrest in Rhineland & Silesia. In smaller states peasants attacked land lords. In Baden there was a brief republic.

-Revolutionary division, the liberals vs. the radicals/republicans. Different aims (Grossdeutschland vs. Kliendeutschland vs. united empire) and views.
-Social groups interest division too.

-Rural apathy, the peasants weren't in desperate need, unenthusiastic.

-Loss of support, progress of Frankfurt Parliament took too long, loss of interest, short lived.

-Conservative strength, better organized, military power, determination. Restoration of Austrian power, with its policy back on line put everyone in its place. keeping Prussia divided and weak!


wow great answer thanks
is that from memory or using the book lol!
i really need help memorising stuff in history, i just can't seem to get my head around it

ok- next q:
How did Bismarck in the years 1864-66, achieve a localised war with Austria? (20)
What factors worked against the inclusion of the Southern states within a united Germany in 1866, but nevertheless worked for their inclusion in 1871? (40)

Reply 31

*Princess*
wow great answer thanks
is that from memory or using the book lol!
i really need help memorising stuff in history, i just can't seem to get my head around it


To be honest, those were from my written notes. But I remembered a couple of them.
As I read I take them down, so technically its from the book.

Reply 32

I'll help if you give me this huge bank of questions :biggrin:

Bismarck secured France's neutrality at Biarritz
Bismarck allied with Italy (Italy agreed to attack Austria within three months)
Russia wasn't going to intervene - Austria hadn't helped in the Crimean war
GB was nice and neutral

That's all I can think of for that one.

Next one:

Hmmm, I'd guess nationalism - the war with Austria was disliked by most German states because it was against German nationalism (Prussia had been preventing Augustenberg's attempts to be Duke of Schleswig - this was against German nationalist interests). But in 1871 war was against France - Germany's historic enemy. Therefore there was great nationalist sentiments amongst the Germans throughout the nation.

But that's not 40 marks worth of answer :s-smilie:

Reply 33

To the b) question one can add that one of the southern minsters exclaimed that Bismarck was "Union dog infested with fleas" they were all suspicious of him. But come 1971, they were more united by common threat/suspicion of France?

Also- they had a secret military alliance signed in 1866 - and that helped to include them into the confederation in 1871.

I'm trying to think of more, but thats a tricky one. When I get back to this topic i'll check my notes!!

Reply 34

kashmir.noir
I'm trying to think of more, but thats a tricky one. When I get back to this topic i'll check my notes!!


Q: What factors worked against the inclusion of the Southern states within a united Germany in 1866, but nevertheless worked for their inclusion in 1871? (40)

To expand on and add some other points:

There were openly hostile factions to Bismarck in the Southern States in 1866. A small degree of military integration was achieved by putting Prussian troops in that area. Similar to an occupation, but where the Prussian army had no authority, it was just there.

Bismarck couldn't risk a war against France over the Southern states at this point, as France was advocating her rights in the Rhineland and actively seeking to annex Luxembourg.

Bismarck had to grant some concessions to the Southern States in 1871, as a price for joining the Confederation, and ultimately becoming Germany. These included taxes on tobacco and alcohol, and some political freedoms not in other states.

I think that's a pretty hard question to get 40 marks for, you've only got 5 years to focus on!
Hope that helps though. :smile:

Reply 35

Sagittarius_GBR
Q: What factors worked against the inclusion of the Southern states within a united Germany in 1866, but nevertheless worked for their inclusion in 1871? (40)

To expand on and add some other points:

There were openly hostile factions to Bismarck in the Southern States in 1866. A small degree of military integration was achieved by putting Prussian troops in that area. Similar to an occupation, but where the Prussian army had no authority, it was just there.

Bismarck couldn't risk a war against France over the Southern states at this point, as France was advocating her rights in the Rhineland and actively seeking to annex Luxembourg.

Bismarck had to grant some concessions to the Southern States in 1871, as a price for joining the Confederation, and ultimately becoming Germany. These included taxes on tobacco and alcohol, and some political freedoms not in other states.

I think that's a pretty hard question to get 40 marks for, you've only got 5 years to focus on!
Hope that helps though. :smile:


Yikes, thank you!!

I'm a little confused on your last point, could you elaborate? How did it work for their inclusion?

(Sorry if I'm being slow, its about 5:14 am where I am, i've been up since 1 pm)

Reply 36

kashmir.noir
Yikes, thank you!!

I'm a little confused on your last point, could you elaborate? How did it work for their inclusion?

(Sorry if I'm being slow, its about 5:14 am where I am, i've been up since 1 pm)


About the concessions? Sure.

Because the Southern States didn't really want to go with Germany, and it was the fact that Bismarck wanted them more (to keep France from nabbing them) than they wanted to be with him and Germany, he had to bribe them. So, they took the opportunity to demand tax freedoms, from alcohol, tobacco and several other things that I can't remember, and some more liberal freedoms were allowed as a 'price' for joining the German state. I also think they had a different number of representatives allowed in the Reichstag, but don't hold me to that I could have just made it up. :wink:

Reply 37

Sagittarius_GBR
About the concessions? Sure.

Because the Southern States didn't really want to go with Germany, and it was the fact that Bismarck wanted them more (to keep France from nabbing them) than they wanted to be with him and Germany, he had to bribe them. So, they took the opportunity to demand tax freedoms, from alcohol, tobacco and several other things that I can't remember, and some more liberal freedoms were allowed as a 'price' for joining the German state. I also think they had a different number of representatives allowed in the Reichstag, but don't hold me to that I could have just made it up. :wink:


Oh god, I must sound like a total nitpicker, but how did this prevent/work against their inclusion in 1866?

-Or did it in the sense that the taxes made the southern states more reluctant to join the North German Confederation in 1866?

Reply 38

kashmir.noir
Oh god, I must sound like a total nitpicker, but how did this prevent/work against their inclusion in 1866?

-Or did it in the sense that the taxes made the southern states more reluctant to join the North German Confederation?


Haha don't worry, we're all here to learn. :smile:
Or waste obscene amounts of time, I'm not sure which.

Erm how did it work against it in 1866? Well, basically cause they weren't being offered anything for their joining then. I'd also say that because they were closer to Austria, the Austrian elements in them were the ones that were resentful of Bismarck. And, Bismarck had forcefully annexed the North German Confederation after the Seven Weeks War, especially in the case of Hanover which was forcefully attached.

What I mean by the taxes is that they were granted freedoms. Sorry if I didn't put it clearly enough. Bismarck was forced into granting exceptions to the South states as their price for joining Germany. Whereas the rest of the nation was taxed on tobacco and alcohol, the South was not. The rest of the nation was subject to censorship and conservative rule, but the Southern states were granted some more liberal rules. Bismarck had to 'buy' them in a way.

I don't envy you being up this early for whatever insane reason. :wink:

Reply 39

Sagittarius_GBR
Haha don't worry, we're all here to learn. :smile:
Or waste obscene amounts of time, I'm not sure which.

Erm how did it work against it in 1866? Well, basically cause they weren't being offered anything for their joining then. I'd also say that because they were closer to Austria, the Austrian elements in them were the ones that were resentful of Bismarck. And, Bismarck had forcefully annexed the North German Confederation after the Seven Weeks War, especially in the case of Hanover which was forcefully attached.

What I mean by the taxes is that they were granted freedoms. Sorry if I didn't put it clearly enough. Bismarck was forced into granting exceptions to the South states as their price for joining Germany. Whereas the rest of the nation was taxed on tobacco and alcohol, the South was not. The rest of the nation was subject to censorship and conservative rule, but the Southern states were granted some more liberal rules. Bismarck had to 'buy' them in a way.

I don't envy you being up this early for whatever insane reason. :wink:

Got it! Pretty much atleast. I'm going to put all those points together and build a cohesive answer and post later, i'm only up because i'm currently tackling Russia 1900-1924 = )

Fun!
Not.

I have 5 days till take off!! And then only a week gap till I have another 3 hour history exam + a Literature one.

I figure to make the biggest effort now to make up for slacking and all the debauchery this year!

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