Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the main purpose of the German Confederation created in 1815?
What was the main purpose of the German Confederation created in 1815?
To unite the German-speaking states while limiting the power of Prussia and Austria.
Why did King Wilhelm I of Prussia appoint Otto von Bismarck as Minister-President?
Why did King Wilhelm I of Prussia appoint Otto von Bismarck as Minister-President?
To unify the German states under Prussian rule, despite opposition from the Parliament.
How did Bismarck initially deal with the Prussian Parliament's opposition to his military reforms?
How did Bismarck initially deal with the Prussian Parliament's opposition to his military reforms?
He ignored the parliament and proceeded with expanding and reforming the military.
What was the key difference between the liberal and Bismarck's approach to German unification?
What was the key difference between the liberal and Bismarck's approach to German unification?
Explain the meaning behind Bismarck's statement that Prussia's borders would be secured by 'blood and iron'.
Explain the meaning behind Bismarck's statement that Prussia's borders would be secured by 'blood and iron'.
What was Bismarck's primary objective in excluding Austria from a unified Germany?
What was Bismarck's primary objective in excluding Austria from a unified Germany?
How did Bismarck manipulate France into initiating the Franco-Prussian War?
How did Bismarck manipulate France into initiating the Franco-Prussian War?
What was the outcome of the Franco-Prussian War, and what empire collapsed as a result?
What was the outcome of the Franco-Prussian War, and what empire collapsed as a result?
Briefly describe the Holy Roman Empire's political structure before the German Confederation.
Briefly describe the Holy Roman Empire's political structure before the German Confederation.
What was Bismarck's strategy to consolidate the king's control of the army?
What was Bismarck's strategy to consolidate the king's control of the army?
Flashcards
Holy Roman Empire (HRE)
Holy Roman Empire (HRE)
A multi-ethnic political entity with hundreds of smaller states, with Germany at its heart.
German Confederation (1815)
German Confederation (1815)
An alliance meant to unify German-speaking states and balance Prussia and Austria.
King Wilhelm I
King Wilhelm I
King of Prussia who wanted to unite German states under Prussian rule.
Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck
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"Blood and Iron"
"Blood and Iron"
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Austro-Prussian War
Austro-Prussian War
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Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
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Study Notes
- For almost 1,000 years, Germany was at the center of the multi-ethnic Holy Roman Empire (HRE).
- The HRE was a collection of hundreds of smaller states.
- In 1815, Europe created a confederation to unite the many German-speaking states.
- The confederation also limited the power of Prussia and the Austrian Empire.
- King Wilhelm I of Prussia wanted to unify the German states under Prussian rule, but the Parliament opposed the war.
- Wilhelm appointed Otto von Bismarck as Minister-President.
- Bismarck ignored parliament and expanded/reformed the military, consolidating the king's control of the army.
- Conservatives and liberals in Prussia were nationalists, wanting a unified German nation-state.
- Many liberals wanted to achieve unification through negotiations with Austria.
- Bismarck warned that Prussia's borders would not be secured through speeches "but by blood and iron."
- Bismarck wanted a Germany free of Austrian influence and he needed war to achieve this.
- Prussia attacked Austria and won an easy victory in seven weeks.
- To unify Germany, Bismarck needed another war, this time against France.
- Bismarck tricked France into starting the war.
- The Prussian army quickly defeated the French in four weeks.
- The Second French Empire collapsed.
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