Bismarck, Napoleon and the Southern States

Transcription

1 Bismarck, Napoleon and the Southern States

2 Post 1866 The German Question- Habsburg influence removed, Prussian domination confirmed and the German Confederation dissolved...but Southern States were weak- their close economic and military ties with the North German Confederation seemed to indicate their absorption was only a matter of time Napoleon found himself in a predicament- his neutrality in 1866 left him exposed and could not allow any more Prussian aggrandizement Bismarck post 1866 had extreme pressure from the new National Liberals to complete unification

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4 Distraction Despite the pressure, Bismarck was cautious for fear of an European alliance forming against Prussia Luckily the Eastern Question lingered Croatian Revolt against the Ottomans Austria, Russia, Great Britain and even the Italian states- interested in the spoils of the failing Ottoman Empire

5 Bismarck s Attitude See Document 21- Bismarck and German Unity 1869 What does this tell us- if we source this properly of course We know he considered the Catholic south very foreign to him (sound familiar Cavour?)- but he also was aware of a power vacuum in the south- would France swoop in? According to AJP Taylor - Bismarck had no clear aim after he asked only to be left alone However, what is fact is that Bismarck set up a series of militaristic, economic and legal links with the south and the N.G. Confederation- for a purpose?

6 In the end, the South Germans, too, will join; we are obviously still too liberal for them!

7 It is one thing to know how to use a needle... But it s a skill that should not be abused

8 Will it fit under one hat? I believe it is more likely to come under a [Prussian] Pickelhaube!"

9 The Luxemburg Crisis Napoleon continued to seek territorial gains from Prussia for remaining neutral in he began to look at Luxemburg Luxemburg was ruled by King William of Holland but was for sale - however it had formed part of the former German Confederation and therefore had a history of Prussian garrisons Bismarck s actions are hard to decipher here: Retrospectively the French asserted that Bismarck had set a trap- but evidence at the time shows Bismarck actually gave advice to Napoleon AJP Taylor- Bismarck wanted to consolidate his power in the north without fear of French intervention

10 As tensions rose between France and Prussia, diplomats from other European nations, primarily Great Britain, intervened to bring the parties to the negotiating table. On May 11, 1867, an international accord recognized Luxembourg s status as an independent and perpetually neutral state and stipulated the withdrawal of the Prussian garrison.

11 Bismarck and Luxemburg Bismarck could not be seen to be allowing French expansion as the Nationalists were his base, however he could not be seen stoking the French for fear of international intervention The NGC Reichstag met to indicate its displeasure at the possibility of French purchase of Luxemburg- under pressure from Berlin, King William refused to sell the Duchy and it became independent Read Bismarck s letter in regards to this crisis : Bismarck on War 1867

12 France and Prussia Dress rehearsal for the crisis of Mosse 1958 Bismarck- genius move to isolate France? Simply doing what his government wanted? Was this just another of his strategy of alternatives? Regardless Bismarck has continued to bind the southern states into the NGC through economic unions (there s suggestion that Bismarck assumed a large portion of the elected Zollverein congress would be nationalists) But the south was not as industrialized and any of those members of the south who were in the Zollverein voted with essentially anti-prussian sentiment

13 The South Union with Prussia will mean excessive taxation, conscription and keeping your mouth shut Wurttemberg and Bavarian political party slogan Regardless one cannot deny that the Zollverein parliament forced northern and southern statesmen who shared a common language and history and culture, voted in both by the people to meet together for common goals Bismarck observed in the most difficult part of the task of national reconstruction is the removal of the existing. It what exists is breached, even though it be through a south German confederation, a healthy national life will grow by itself out of the ruins

14 Southern States on the eve of War Early certainly some serious barriers to North German unity with the south - Bavaria- Patriot Party won the elections - Wurrtemburg- massive anti-prussian sentiment swept through the state - Inside NGC- massive nationalist pressure on Bismarck to achieve unification but without conceding anything to France - Liberal opposition to the upcoming military budget (1871) - Attempt by Bismarck to get approval of the southern states to agree to Wilhelm I use of the title Emperor of Germany fails Without a dose of national enthusiasm unification would not occur- diplomacy was always favoured, but could war be used?

15 Did Bismarck plan a war with France? He gets a war, but was it part of his plan all along?

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