Otto von Bismarck's influence 1862-1866

Factors
leading to
the rise of
Prussia and
German
Unification

THE THREE
WARS OF
GERMAN
UNIFICATION

Against Denmark in Schleswig Holstein (1864)
Against Austria in the Seven Weeks War (1866)
Against France in the Franco Prussian War (1870)

Otto von Bismarck

•Born to parents of middle class and noble (Junker) backgrounds.

•Acts as a diplomat for Prussian govt.
(ambassador to France + Russia) pre 1848

•Supports suppression of 1848 uprisings and
rejection of the Frankfurt Parliament
Constitution

•Elected to govt. assembly and focused on promoting Prussian interests rather than playing nice w/ Austria

•Appointed Prime Minister by Wilhelm I in 1862

Bismarck’s

Domestic

Policy

(Pre-German

Empire)

Realpolitik- politics based on power rather than ideals. Looking practically at what is needed to maintain and
expand political power. Pragmatic in a sense.

Bismarck’s Domestic Realpolitik

Main goal: keep conservatives in power. Prevent spread of socialist + liberal leaders!

1.

Implements Europe’s first redistributive programs to appease socialists

– Social Security and Accident Insurance

2.

Kulturkampf: anti-Catholic policies to appease liberals and their desire to separation of church and state

3.

Industrialization: promoting/protecting industry for
liberal business owners and building of arms and supplies

Prussian
Military

and

Economy

• Wilhem I- Kaiser (King) of the Prussian Empire

• Landtag- lower Prussian Parliament (Liberal dominated)

Budget Crisis of 1862 (rejecting growth of military budget)

Landtag refuses to approve increased military spending in definace of the King's wishes.

Wilhelm I advised by his Minister of War, Roon, to send for
Bismarck to convince the Parliament- he delivers the famous “iron and blood” speech.

Bismarck and conservatives policies were unpopular and faced
great opposition after elections of 1863

Bismarck defies law and Landtag by going to war with
Austria in summer of 1866

Brainstorm

ideas to

answer a

Part A

question…

3 (a) Explain why Prussia was well
equipped under Bismarck to unify
Germany.

Plan using the chart below! Make sure to
use SPRITE to come up with your reasons.

Reason 1:

Reason 2:

Evidence 1:

Evidence 2:

Evidence 1:

Evidence 2: