German Unification: Nationalism and Power

German Nationalism: Unification and Power

• German nationalists sought unification in the 1848 revolutions, exemplified by the Frankfurt Parliament.
• This attempt failed due to insufficient military support and opposition from Prussia and Austria.
• Otto von Bismarck, using realpolitik, strategically employed nationalism to unite Germany through wars.
• The Danish War (1864) established Prussian dominance in German affairs.
• The Austro-Prussian War (1866) resulted in Austria's exclusion from German unification.
• The Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) led to the unification of northern and southern German states against France, creating the German Empire under Prussian leadership.
• The unified Germany became an industrial, militarily powerful nation in Europe, fostering economic and military expansion, cultural identity, and loyalty to the state.
• By 1914, Germany's nationalism had solidified its status as a major European power.

Austrian Nationalism: Division and Decline

• The Austrian Empire, unlike Germany, was a multi-ethnic empire encompassing numerous nationalities (Germans, Hungarians, Czechs, etc.).
• Nationalist uprisings occurred in 1848, particularly in Hungary and Bohemia, as various ethnic groups sought independence or autonomy.
• Austria suppressed these revolts, leaving remaining tensions.
• The Austro-Prussian War diminished Austria's influence in German affairs, necessitating a focus on internal stability.
• The Austro-Hungarian Compromise (Dual Monarchy, 1867) emerged to appease Hungarian nationalism, granting Hungary self-governance but simultaneously failing to satisfy other ethnic groups.
• These ongoing nationalist tensions created a fragile political landscape within the empire, raising demands for autonomy or independence from various ethnic factions.
• Serbian nationalism significantly destabilized the Balkans, culminating in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, directly triggering World War I.
• Nationalism ultimately weakened the Austrian Empire by deepening internal divisions, leading to its collapse after World War I.

Comparison of German and Austrian Nationalism

• German nationalism led to unification and a powerful nation-state.
• Austrian nationalism, conversely, caused internal divisions and contributed to the empire's decline.
• By 1914, Germany emerged as a unified power, whereas Austria-Hungary was facing disintegration.

Explore German nationalism, from the failed 1848 revolutions to Otto von Bismarck's realpolitik. Learn about the Danish, Austro-Prussian, and Franco-Prussian Wars that led to German Unification. Discover how a unified Germany became a major European power by 1914.