Nationalism Germany and Italy

I can explain the unification of Germany and Italy

GERMANY• Early 1800s – no unified “Germany”• German-speaking people lived in Prussia and

other states (Bavaria, Saxony, etc…)• Napoleon’s raids had spurred German

nationalism and contempt for French• Otto von Bismarck – “The Iron Chancellor” –

highest official of the Prussian monarch.– Master of Realpolitik• Realistic policies based on the needs of the state; power

is more important than principles

Otto von Bismarck

Bismarck

• Began process of German unification– Built up Prussian army– Annexed smaller, weaker German states– “Started” the Franco-Prussian War.• Why would he start a war?• He knew other German states would unify against

France (Germans hated France since Napoleon)

Franco-Prussian War1870

• Started over a disagreement about an heir to the Spanish throne.

• He “edited” a telegram sent to him by the Prussian king, William.

• Made it look like King Will insulted France. Made Napoleon III furious. He declares war.

• Prussia beats France in 6 weeks– How? Modern technology (telegraphs, railroads,

breech-loading weapons)

Franco-Prussian War

• Humiliating for the French– Very quick defeat– Forced to pay Prussia to leave– Lose 2 border provinces: Alsace and Lorraine

• The huge Prussian victory led to the crowning of Will I as “Kaiser” William I (emperor)

• 1871 – “Germany” becomes a unified nation

ITALY

• Had not been a unified nation since the days of the Roman Empire

• People there spoke common language (Italian) but lived in several city-states ruled by Austria and other foreign powers.

• Reasons some wanted unification:– Made economic sense (remove tariffs)– Common language, history, culture

Nationalist Leaders

Giuseppe Mazzini

Count Camillo Cavour

Victor Emmanuel II

Giuseppe Garibaldi

Italy• Mazzini-founded Young Italy in the 1830s– A secret society– Organized a revolution, but it failed. He was

exiled. Important: planted seeds of nationalism• Cavour-became Prime Minister of Sardinia• King-Victor Emmanuel II• Cavour was a crafty politician like Bismarck• Secret alliance with France; provoked war with

Austria. Won and annexed some Italian states.

Garibaldi and the Red Shirts

• Garibaldi –longtime nationalist – recruited 1,000 red-shirted volunteers.

• Invaded Sicily and conquered north to Naples• Very patriotic, turned over his control to Victor

Emmanuel.• By 1870, all of Italy was unified.

CRITICAL CONNECTIONS

• What connections can you make between Bismarck and Cavour and an important Renaissance guidebook?

• In what ways can the nationalist movements of the 1800s be traced back to Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna?

• How does France’s humiliation in the Franco-Prussian war contribute to future conflict?