Welcome to the Story of Germany: 1815–1871

Welcome! In this chapter, we are going to explore how a collection of 39 independent states transformed into a single, powerful German Empire. This journey wasn't smooth—it involved failed revolutions, clever (and sometimes ruthless) politics, and three major wars. Whether you love political drama or military strategy, there is something here for everyone. By the end of these notes, you’ll understand how Nationalism (the desire for a united country) and Liberalism (the desire for rights and parliaments) shaped modern Europe.

Note: This chapter follows the "France, 1774–1814" section. While Napoleon's conquest of German lands helped spark early nationalism, our focus here starts with the peace that followed his defeat.

1. Why did Revolution break out in 1848?

Before 1848, there was no "Germany." Instead, there was the German Confederation, a loose group of states dominated by Austria and Prussia. By 1848, the pressure for change became too much to ignore. We can break the causes down into three main areas:

A. Political Causes: Liberalism and Nationalism

Many educated middle-class people (lawyers, students, professors) were frustrated. They wanted:

  • Liberalism: They wanted a constitution, freedom of the press, and a parliament where people had a voice.
  • Nationalism: They wanted to get rid of the 39 separate borders and create one single German nation.

B. Economic and Social Problems

It wasn't just the middle class who were angry. The working class and peasants were suffering:

  • The "Hungry Forties": A series of bad harvests (especially the potato blight) led to starvation and rising food prices.
  • The Industrial Revolution: As machines moved in, traditional craftsmen lost their jobs. Meanwhile, rapidly growing cities became overcrowded and disease-ridden.
  • Population Growth: The population was growing faster than the economy could provide jobs or food.

C. The "Spark"

In February 1848, a revolution broke out in France. This acted like a signal across Europe. When news reached German states, people took to the streets in Berlin and Vienna, demanding change. Don't worry if this seems like a lot of factors—just remember it was a "perfect storm" of hungry people and frustrated thinkers.

Quick Review: The revolutions were caused by a mix of middle-class political goals (voting and unity) and working-class desperation (hunger and unemployment).

2. The 1848–49 Revolutions: What happened and why did they fail?

In 1848, it looked like the liberals had won. The rulers of the German states were terrified and allowed the creation of the Frankfurt Parliament—the first-ever National Assembly for all German states.

The Frankfurt Parliament: High Hopes and Big Arguments

The Parliament met to write a constitution for a united Germany. However, they spent a year arguing over two main issues:

  • Grossdeutschland (Big Germany): A Germany that included Austria.
  • Kleindeutschland (Small Germany): A Germany without Austria, led by Prussia.

Why did the Revolutions fail?

By 1849, the revolution collapsed. Here is why:

1. Indecision: The Frankfurt Parliament took too long to make decisions. By the time they offered the crown of a united Germany to King Frederick William IV of Prussia, the kings had regained their confidence.

2. The "Crown from the Gutter": Frederick William IV refused the crown. He famously said he would not accept a crown offered by "the people"—he believed only other kings could give him that power.

3. Military Power: The liberals had ideas, but the monarchs had the armies. Once the rulers realized the revolutionaries were divided, they used their soldiers to crush the movement.

Consequences of 1848–49

On the surface, it looked like everything went back to the way it was (the Old Order was restored). However, two things had changed forever:
- Prussia was now seen as the only real alternative to Austrian leadership.
- It proved that nationalism alone wasn't enough to unite Germany; it would need military power.

3. Otto von Bismarck: His Appointment and Aims

In 1862, a man named Otto von Bismarck was appointed Minister-President of Prussia. This is a turning point in history.

Why was he appointed?

The new King of Prussia, Wilhelm I, was in a massive fight with the Prussian Parliament. The King wanted more money for the army, but the liberal Parliament refused to approve the taxes. The King needed someone "tough" to handle the situation, so he called in Bismarck.

What were Bismarck's Aims?

Bismarck was not a romantic nationalist. He was a practitioner of Realpolitik—this means "politics of reality." He didn't care about speeches or voting; he cared about power. His goals were:

  • Prussian Dominance: He wanted to make Prussia the strongest state in Germany.
  • Weakening Austria: He knew that for Prussia to lead, Austria had to be pushed out of German affairs.
  • Protecting the Monarchy: He wanted to keep the King in power and stop the spread of liberal democracy.

Key Term: "Blood and Iron"
Bismarck famously told Parliament that the great questions of the day would not be decided by speeches or majority votes, but by "Eisen und Blut" (Iron and Blood)—meaning military force and industrial might.

4. How and Why was German Unification Achieved?

Bismarck achieved unification through a series of three carefully managed wars. He used diplomacy to isolate his enemies before his modernized army crushed them.

Step 1: The Danish War (1864)

Prussia and Austria teamed up to fight Denmark over two territories, Schleswig and Holstein. They won easily. Why it mattered: It gave Bismarck an excuse to start a fight with Austria later over how to govern these new lands.

Step 2: The Austro-Prussian War (1866)

Also known as the Seven Weeks' War. Bismarck provoked Austria into declaring war. Thanks to modern railways and better rifles (the "needle gun"), Prussia won a crushing victory at the Battle of Sadowa.

The Outcome: Austria was kicked out of German affairs. Bismarck created the North German Confederation, dominated by Prussia. He was halfway to his goal.

Step 3: The Franco-Prussian War (1870–71)

Bismarck needed the Catholic states in the South to join his new Germany. He knew a war against a common enemy—France—would unite all Germans.

The "Ems Telegram": Bismarck cleverly edited a telegram from the King to make it look like the King had insulted the French ambassador. This tricked France into declaring war on Prussia, making Prussia look like the victim!

The Outcome: Prussia won. In January 1871, in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles (in France!), the German Empire was proclaimed. Wilhelm I became the Kaiser (Emperor), and Bismarck became the Chancellor.

Did you know? Proclaiming the German Empire in the heart of France was a huge insult to the French and would lead to major tensions later in history (like World War I).

Summary: The "Big Picture"

To succeed in your exams, remember these four stages of German history:

  1. 1815–1848: Tension builds between the old rulers and people wanting liberalism and nationalism.
  2. 1848–1849: The "failed" revolution. Liberals try to unite Germany with words and fail because they lack military power.
  3. 1862: Bismarck arrives. He decides to unite Germany "from above" using the Prussian army and Realpolitik.
  4. 1864–1871: Three wars (Denmark, Austria, France) prove that "Blood and Iron" works. A united German Empire is born.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume Bismarck planned everything from the very beginning. Many historians believe he was an opportunist—he was very good at waiting for a situation to arise and then using it to Prussia's advantage.

Key Takeaway: German unification wasn't just about people feeling "German"; it was about Prussian military power and Bismarck’s clever diplomacy replacing Austrian influence in Europe.