reasons for german unification prussian military

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Page 1: Reasons for german unification   prussian military
Page 2: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Economic success

Prussia had a very strong economy, partly due to the

success of the Zollverein.

This financial success gave Prussia the ability to build a strong army.

Page 3: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Stronger Prussian army

King Wilhelm wanted to build a bigger, stronger

army but was blocked by the Prussian Landtag

(Parliament).

Bismarck simply defied them and took the taxes to make army reforms.

Page 4: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

War with Denmark

In 1863, Denmark took control of Schleswig and Holstein, two states with

German populations.

Prussia persuaded Austria to support them in a war

against Denmark in 1864. Germany easily won this war.

Page 5: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Austro-Prussian War

Bismarck took steps to isolate Austria, including blocking their access to

Holstein.

He persuaded France to not support Austria. Italy

backed Prussia and Russia refused to support

Austria.

Page 6: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Austro-Prussian War

In June 1866, Austria declared war on Prussia, and gained some support from smaller

states.

Prussia easily and quickly defeated Austria (it is known as the Seven Weeks War). However Bismarck did not want to humiliate Austria.

Page 7: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Austro-Prussian War outcomes

• Austria was expelled from the German Confederation

• 21 states north of the River Main formed the North

German Confederation (led by Prussia)

• Southern German states had to pay money to Prussia

and enter military alliances with them

Page 8: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Franco-Prussian War

The northern German states were united;

Bismarck believed the south would do so if they

faced a major enemy.

Bismarck took steps to provoke France and

isolate them from the rest of Europe.

Page 9: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Spanish Candidature and Ems

Bismarck proposed that a Prussian prince take the

Spanish throne, meaning France would be

surrounded.

Bismarck also published the ‘Ems Telegram’

which greatly insulted France.

Page 10: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

His Majesty the King has written to me:

Count Benedetti intercepted me on the promenade and ended by demanding of me, in a very importunate manner, that I should authorize him to telegraph at once that I bound myself in perpetuity never again to give my consent if the Hohenzollerns renewed their candidature.

I rejected this demand somewhat sternly, as it is neither right nor possible to undertake engagements of this kind [for ever and ever]. Naturally, I told him that I had not yet received any news and, since he had been better informed via Paris and Madrid than I was, he must surely see that my government was not concerned in the matter.

[The King, on the advice of one of his ministers], decided, in view of the above-mentioned demands, not to receive Count Benedetti any more, but to have him informed, by an adjutant, that His Majesty had now received [from Leopold] confirmation of the news which Benedetti had already had from Paris and had nothing further to say to the ambassador.

His Majesty suggests to Your Excellency, that Benedetti's new demand and its rejection might well be communicated both to our ambassadors and to the Press.

After the news of the renunciation of the Prince von Hohenzollern had been communicated to the Imperial French government by the Royal Spanish government, the French Ambassador in Ems made a further demand on His Majesty the King that he should authorize him to telegraph to Paris that His Majesty the King undertook for all time never again to give his assent should the Hohenzollerns once more take up their candidature.

His Majesty the King thereupon refused to receive the Ambassador again and had the latter informed by the Adjutant of the day that His Majesty had no further communication to make to the Ambassador.

Real version

Bismarck’s version

Page 11: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Franco-Prussian War

France declared war on Prussia in 1870. The southern

German states joined the north to fight. Germany easily defeated France and took land,

including Alsace-Lorraine.

Wilhelm was declared Emperor of Germany in

January 1871.

Page 12: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Arguments for importance

Prussia’s military strength was vital in keeping control of their own

country.

Although many members of the Prussian Landtag opposed army changes, they could not rebel due

to army strength.

Page 13: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Loyalty from other states

Prussia’s ability to stand up to Denmark showed

other German states that its army could protect

them all.

It also made clear to other states the problems with

opposing Prussian wishes.

Page 14: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Bismarck’s role

Prussia’s military strength was important in

achieving unification – but it was really due to

Bismarck.

It was he who defied the Prussian Landtag to

collect the taxes needed for the army.

Page 15: Reasons for german unification   prussian military

Bismarck’s role

Bismarck also helped engineer the wars with

Austria and France.

Many believe this is what he planned for from the start when he took steps to build a strong Prussian

army.