Nationalism, the Franco-Prussian

Transcription

1 Nationalism, the Franco-Prussian War, and the Origins of WWI The Unification of German, and the idea of a German Fatherland, Spring 2012 Revised

2 European Nationalism The Congress of Vienna was a distant memory by the late 19th century, as European nations used Imperialism as a mantra to conquer markets and people across the globe. Within Europe, tensions rose as some powers sought to spread their influence over the small states of central Europe. Prussia, a strong, highly militarized state, pushed for control over the principalities that made up what we now call Germany.

3 Otto von Bismarck, Prime Minister of Prussia Bismarck was a giant of a man, and a military and political genius. He spoke eloquently about the power of the Prussian people and a desire to unify all German-speaking people under one government. He was knowledgeable about the world, spoke fluent English, and negotiated the complicated politics of Europe.

4 Bismarck, con t At an early age he was known for his prowess in fighting, and was selected to an elite fighting corps the Hannovera. In a famous speech in 1862, he stated, The great questions of the day will not be decided by speeches...that was the blunder of but by blood and iron. He was set on the unification of the German-speaking peoples under one all-encompassing state.

5 Nationalism: Unification leads to War Bismarck worked tirelessly for the Unification of the northern states of the Germanies under Prussia rule. Many of these states bordered French territory and some were claimed by France under the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century. Many Germans were angry that Napoleon had forced many Germans into military service (about 250,000 soldiers). Bismarck appealed to the pride of the German people and used the terms fatherland and Germany to describe the connection between the place people lived in and the identity of the Germanspeaking people.

6 Napoleon III: The Last of the Napoleonic Dynasty To counter the threat of Prussia, France looked to a new leader, Napoleon III. The king was the son of the brother of Napoleon and claimed the throne in the name of his father and Napoleon. He was, initially, a popular leader because of his anger at Prussia and their interest in territory controlled by France. We was elected leader in 1848, and soon after staged a coup d etat. He swept away the Constitutional restrictions on his dictatorship, and took complete power over the French government. Louis-Napoleon, as he was called, went on a massive military buildup, attempting to restore France to its former grandeur. Napoleon III

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8 Napoleon III vs. Bismarck The Prussia victory over Austrian forces in a border war in 1866 fueled the resentment between France and Prussia, and led both countries to invest millions in military munitions and troops. The crisis between the two countries reached a fever pitch when the Spanish government requested a new king as leader for the country. Spain had been ruled by the relatives of Napoleon, and Spain sought a German prince, Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern- Sigmaringen, nephew of King Wilhelm I of Prussia as their new leader. The French were furious and demanded that King Wilhelm I of Prussia denounce this request. Prince Leopold

9 The Franco-Prussian War Wilhelm I backed down, and then, when the French openly insulted his leadership, unleashed the angry of Bismarck. The Prime Minister and military leader provoked the French government. In a telegram to the French government and Napoleon III, he insulted their leadership and people. The telegram was seen as a grave insult and Napoleon III declared war on Prussia on July 15, This act was exactly was Bismarck wanted. Because France declared war on Prussia, Bismarck was able to get the German states of northern Europe into a close alliance with Prussia.

10 The Ugly Defeat France was no match for the powerful and welltrained Prussian Army. The French Army could not defend the capital city and Paris fell to Prussia. Worse still, Prussia captured Napoleon III hiding in a farmhouse in Sedan. The Siege of Paris

11 Paris after the assault French Surrender at Sedan Crowning of Wilhelm I at Versailles

12 German Troops Marching Through Paris, 1871

13 The Rise of Germany The Franco-Prussian War was a statement to the countries of Europe that Prussia was a serious force in politics and society across the continent. In addition, German troops occupied northern France until the French government paid Germany an indemnity of 5 billion francs. The Treaty of Frankfurt in 1871 gave a united Germany the former French states of Alsace and Lorraine. Finally, the war marked the beginning of a unified German state.

14 The German Empire and Nationalism The German state was named Germany after the language of the majority of people who lived in the region. The leader of the now-unified states was declared an emperor, or, in German, Kaiser. The delicate Balance of Power so carefully established at the Congress of Vienna was destroyed and Germany became an Imperial power intent on dominating European affairs. The driving force behind most of these changes in Europe was Nationalism.

15 France Collapses With Germany s rise to power, France collapsed. Internal divisions between the French people and some of the leaders of the country resulted in a civil war. People stormed the streets and removed many of the symbols of the government established by Napoleon in the early 19th century. The French militia (mitrailleuse) executed thousands of protestors in an attempt to control the violence. Over 20,000 people were killed in one week alone in the fall of Toppling of the Place Vendôme Column of Napoleon I

16 The Coming Conflict: World War I The French never forgave the Prussians for the humiliation, and when the chance at a war came around again, the French jumped at the opportunity to address their grievances. The Treaty of Frankfurt was considered an abomination by the French people and the government. With the growing power of Germany and the now open conflict between European powers, it was just a matter of time before the continent broke out into full-scale war.

17 Bismarck s Plan Bismarck, first Prime Minister of Prussia and then Chancellor of the German Empire (once he had assembled it), set about the construction of Germany through high politics judiciously assisted by war against Austria and France. Appointed Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Prussia by Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1862, Bismarck was consumed with a desire to achieve the creation of a German Empire out of the collection of smaller German states largely led by Austria's influence (another Germanspeaking nation).

18 The Plan in Action He began by negotiating, in 1873, the Three Emperors League, which tied Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia to each other's aid in time of war. This however only lasted until Russia's withdrawal five years later in 1878, leaving Bismarck with a new Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary in Two years after Germany and Austria-Hungary concluded their agreement, Italy was brought into the fold with the signing of the Triple Alliance in Under the provisions of this treaty, Germany and Austria-Hungary promised to assist Italy if she were attacked by France, and vice versa: Italy was bound to lend aid to Germany or Austria-Hungary if France declared war against either.

19 Interlocking Alliances Potentially of greater importance - although it was allowed to lapse three years after its signature - Bismarck, in 1887, agreed to a so-called Reinsurance Treaty with Russia.