Higher history

Whole class task. Use the information on pages 108/109.

You are the head of the Austrian civil service. The Prussian King has mocked your boss, saying that Austria is a declining power! The Austrian Emperor is confused- he believes that Austria is the major German power.

It is your task to prepare to explain to the Austrian Emperor (classmates) why Austria is a declining power and why Prussia is overtaking you. This will be done using the hot seat. One member of the class will be selected for the hot seat in the role of the head of the civil service and prepare to answer questions. The rest of the class will play the role of the Austrian Emperor and ask questions about Austria’s decline.

Use the information on pages 108/109 to help you prepare. If you are selected as the head of the civil service be ready with some key facts and figures! If you are given the role of the Austrian Emperor be ready with questions for the civil servant. Be prepared to play both roles!

3. 
   
   3. 
      Introduction to Bismarck
      
   
   

9. 
   What were the main lessons Bismarck learned from his time in
   

1. 
   The Bund b) St Petersburg and c) Paris.
   

10. 
    What historical debate exists about Bismarck’s intentions regarding German unification? (Page 112)
    

11. 
    Write your own definition of Realpolitik (as described by Feuchtwanger) on page 113. Compare this with your neighbour.
    

12. 
    What did Bismarck think was likely to happen to the German states in the future and how did he plan to influence it? (Page 113)
    

13. 
    What does Bismarck mean when he talks of “iron and blood” (Page 114)
    

'Iceberg' task. Your teacher will give you out a sheet of A3. Working in groups you should first of all draw on the top third of the sheet the outline of an iceberg. On this 'iceberg' you should write down as many factors as you can think of that have lead to the German states becoming closer by the time Bismarck becomes Chancellor in 1862. Think back to all of your previous work on the German unit. Below an iceberg is what we cannot see or do not know. What do you think are the key obstacles that Bismarck will have to overcome to unite Germany?

Think about the states, religion etc. Each group should then take part in a 'walk and talk' exercise to peer assess each other's work. (Walk and talk- each group is given another groups work to peer assess. Each iceberg will be passed round the room and can be assessed using group specific coloured pens or post it notes)
Poland

14. 
    What did Bismarck hope would happen in Prussian domestic politics if he attempted to unite the German states? (Page 114)
    

Read the section on the Polish war on page 115, copy and complete the passage using the words in the word bank below.

Russians generosity Progressives Britain

relations border freedom tsar, nineteenth rebellions

In the mid ________________ century the Polish people desperately wanted to gain their _______________. The Kingdom of Poland was ruled over by the Prussians, the Austrians and the _______________.

1863 saw the latest in a long line of _________________ take place in the Russian section. Bismarck decided to involve Prussia because he did not want trouble in their part of Poland and he wanted to improve _____________ with the eastern neighbour.

Bismarck allowed the Russian army access to the Prussian ____________ to help them put down the revolt. The Russians were very happy at this display of ____________.

The negative reaction of ____________ and France also helped Bismarck as it made the _________ even more convinced that Prussia was a loyal friend.

Overall, Bismarck improved the relationship between Prussia and Russia and also made him popular with the Prussian _____________ .

4. 
   
   4. 
      The Wars of Unification: The Danish War
      
   
   

(The Danish War and Austro Prussian War is a PowerPoint note saved under Schleswig in the shared History folder. Teacher will discuss content and pupils are to copy the note)

The first episode in the saga of German unification under Bismarck came with the Schleswig-Holstein Question. On 15 November 1863, King Christian IX of Denmark became king of Denmark and duke of Schleswig and Holstein. On 18 November 1863, he signed the Danish November Constitution and declared the Duchy of Schleswig a part of Denmark. The German Confederation saw this act as a violation of the London Protocol of 1852, which emphasized the status of the kingdom of Denmark as distinct from the independent duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. The populations of Schleswig and Holstein, furthermore, greatly valued this separate status. The German Confederation could use the ethnicities of these duchies as a rallying cry: large portions of both Schleswig and Holstein were of German origin and spoke German in everyday life (though Schleswig had a sizable Danish minority).

Diplomatic attempts to have the November Constitution repealed collapsed, and fighting began when Prussian and Austrian troops crossed the border into Schleswig on 1 February 1864. Initially, the Danes attempted to defend their country using an ancient earthen wall known as the Danevirke, but this proved futile. The Danes were no match for the combined Prussian and Austrian forces, and they could not rely on help from their allies in the other Scandinavian states because Denmark had nullified its alliance rights by violating the London Protocol.

The Needle Gun, one of the first bolt action rifles to be used in conflict, aided the Prussians in both this war and the Austro-Prussian War two years later. The rifle enabled a Prussian soldier to fire five shots while lying prone, while his muzzle-loading counterpart could only fire one shot and had to be reloaded while standing. The Second Schleswig War resulted in victory for the combined armies of Prussia and Austria, and the two countries won control of Schleswig and Holstein in the concluding peace of Vienna, signed on 30 October 1864.

5. 
   
   5. 
      The Wars of Unification: The Austro-Prussian War
      
   
   

The second episode in Bismarck's unification efforts occurred in 1866, where Bismarck created a diplomatic environment in which Austria declared war on Prussia. In April 1866, the Prussian representative in Florence signed a secret agreement with the Italian government, committing each state to assist the other in a war against Austria. The next day, the Prussian delegate to the Frankfurt assembly presented a plan calling for a national constitution, a directly elected national Diet, and universal suffrage. German liberals were justifiably skeptical of this, and saw the proposal as a ploy to enhance Prussian power rather than a progressive agenda of reform.

Although several German states initially sided with Austria, they stayed on the defensive and failed to take effective initiatives against Prussian troops. The Austrian army therefore faced the technologically superior Prussian army with support only from Saxony (one of the individual German states). France promised aid, but it came late and was insufficient. Complicating the situation for Austria, the Italian mobilization on Austria's southern border required a diversion of forces away from battle with Prussia, to fight on a second front in Venetia. The day-long Battle of Königgrätz, near the village of Sadová, gave Prussia an uncontested and decisive victory.

A quick peace was essential to keep Russia from entering the conflict on Austria's side. Prussia annexed Hanover, Hesse-Kassel, and Nassau. The states south of the Main River (Baden, Württemberg, and Bavaria) signed separate treaties requiring them to pay indemnities and to form alliances bringing them into Prussia's sphere of influence. Austria, and most of her allies were excluded from the newly established ‘North German Confederation’ (which replaced the German Confederation.

The Austro-Prussian War also damaged relations with the French government. At a meeting in Biarritz in September 1865 with Napoleon III, Bismarck had let it be understood (or Napoleon had thought he understood) that France might annex parts of Belgium and Luxembourg in exchange for its neutrality in the war. These annexations did not happen, resulting in animosity from Napoleon towards Bismarck.

The reality of defeat for Austria caused a re-evaluation of internal divisions, local autonomy, and liberalism. The new North German Confederation had its own constitution, flag, and governmental and administrative structures. Through military victory, Prussia (under Bismarck's influence) had overcome Austria's active resistance to the idea of a unified Germany.

15. 
    Create a storyboard to show the key events of the Danish and Austro-Prussian wars using pictures and text. This should be no more than 9 sections.
    

6. 
   
   6. 
      The Wars of Unification: The Franco-Prussian War
      
   
   

In 1866, most mid-sized German states had opposed Prussia, but by 1870 these states had been coerced and coaxed into mutually protective alliances with Prussia. In the event that a European state declared war on one of their members, they all would come to the defense of the attacked state. With skillful manipulation of European politics, Bismarck created a situation in which France would play the role of aggressor in German affairs, while Prussia would play that of the protector of German rights and liberties.

16. 
    Sum up the last paragraph on page 123 in 3 bullet points.
    

17. 
    What were the main sources of tension between Prussia and France? (page 124 paragraph 1
    

18. 
    How did Bismarck manipulate the southern German states and Napoleon III? (page 124 paragraphs 1 and 2)
    

19. 
    Using the information on pages 123 and 124 create a spider diagram to demonstrate the background/build up to the Franco-Prussian War. (This will be peer assessed and gone over as a class)
    

The Spanish Candidature

As always, Bismarck sought an excuse for war. The issue he decided upon was the succession to the Spanish throne. This served to both antagonise France and, make it feel threatened. Ultimately, Bismarck wanted to provoke a war with France- but on his terms and at a time of his choosing.

In 1868 a revolution in Spain overthrew Queen Isabella II, and the throne remained empty while Isabella lived in exile in Paris. The Spanish, looking for a suitable successor, had offered the post to three European princes, each of whom was rejected by Napoleon III (leader of France). Finally, in 1870 the crown was offered to Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a prince of the Prussian Hohenzollern line. The ensuing uproar in Europe, has been dubbed by historians as the Hohenzollern candidature, and sometimes the Spanish candidature.

Bismarck encouraged Leopold to accept the offer. A successful installment of a Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen king in Spain would mean that two countries on either side of France both had German kings of Hohenzollern descent. This may have been a pleasing prospect for Bismarck, but it was unacceptable to Napoleon III. France wrote a sharply formulated ultimatum to Wilhelm (the Prussian King), as head of the Hohenzollern family, stating that if any Hohenzollern prince should accept the crown of Spain, the French government would respond (although he left ambiguous the nature of such response).

The prince withdrew as a candidate, thus defusing the crisis, but the French ambassador to Berlin would not let the issue lie. He approached Wilhelm directly, whilst he was vacationing in Ems Spa, demanding that the King release a statement saying he would never again put forward a Hohenzollern candidate for the Spanish throne. Wilhelm refused, and he sent Bismarck a dispatch by telegram describing the French demands. Bismarck used the king's telegram, called the Ems Dispatch (or Ems Telegram), as a template for a short statement to the press. With its wording edited by Bismarck, the Ems Telegram raised an angry furor in France. The French public demanded war.

20. 
    Explain the Thomson quote on page 124 in your own words- you can use this in a potential essay.
    
21. 
    Why was Bismarck so keen to put forward a German prince to become the new king of Spain?
    

22. 
    What does the nomination of Prince Leopold demonstrate about Bismarck's power/authority in Prussia?
    

War

Napoleon III had tried to secure territorial compensations from both sides before and after the Austro-Prussian War, but had ended up with nothing. He then hoped that Austria would join in a war of revenge and that her former allies — particularly the southern German states of Baden, Württemberg, and Bavaria — would join in the cause. This hope would prove futile since the 1866 treaty came into effect and united all German states militarily to fight against France. Instead of a war of revenge against Prussia, supported by various German allies, France engaged in a war against all of the German states without any allies of her own.

The reorganization of the military by von Roon and the operational strategy of Moltke combined against France to great effect. The speed of Prussian mobilisation astonished the French; and the Prussian ability to concentrate power at specific points overwhelmed French mobilization. Utilising their efficiently laid rail grid, Prussian troops were delivered to battle areas rested and prepared to fight, whereas French troops had to march for considerable distances to reach combat zones. After a number of battles, notably Spicheren, Wörth, Mars la Tour, and Gravelotte, the Prussians defeated the main French armies and advanced on the French capital of Paris. They captured Napoleon III and took an entire army as prisoners at Sedan on 1 September 1870.

Victory in the Franco-Prussian War proved the capstone of the nationalist issue. In the first half of the 1860s, Austria and Prussia both contended to speak for the German states; both maintained they could support German interests abroad and protect German interests at home. In responding to the Schleswig-Holstein Question, they both proved equally diligent in doing so. After the victory over Austria in 1866, Prussia began internally asserting her authority to speak for the German states and defend German interests, while Austria began directing more and more of her attention to possessions in the Balkans.

The victory over France in 1871 greatly expanded Prussian hegemony in the German states. With the proclamation of Wilhelm as Kaiser, Prussia assumed the leadership of the new empire. The war ended and the southern states became officially incorporated into a unified Germany at the Treaty of Frankfurt of 10 May 1871.

23. 
    Create a timeline from the French discovery of Bismarck's scheme to put Leopold on the throne of Spain to the decision of the Southern German states to side with Prussia against France.
    

24. 
    Look at the two historian's quotes on page 126.
    

(i) What is Seaman saying about Bismarck's actions?

(ii) Does Feuchtwanger consider war between Prussia and France to be important to the process of German unification? Why?

Class debate: Bismarck was lucky in the way that events turned out in the Spanish Candidature. Discuss.

Bismarck enjoying his victory Birth of the German Empire

25. 
    What were the main reasons for the Prussian victory? (Page 126)
    

26. 
    When did the German Empire come into existence?
    

27. 
    Why are Cameron, Henderson and Robertson of the opinion that the Treaty of Frankfurt was a 'cruel, victors peace'?
    

Task

PowerPoint presentation - the importance of Bismarck to German unification

Your teacher will discuss how historians view Bismarck's role in German unification and you will be required to explain why they think the way they do. (Write a note on this in your jotter)

Consider: The importance of Bismarck to German unification

Refer back to your sheet that you have been adding events to under the headings:

• 
  Decline of Austria
  
• 
  Prussian economic strength
  
• 
  Bismarck
  
• 
  Prussian military strength
  
• 
  Attitude of foreign states
  
• 
  Actions of Napoleon III
  

If you haven’t already done so, finish filling in your sheet. Consider each of the factors. Which factor do you think is the most important and why?

In your groups use the knowledge you now have of German unification to complete this table. Does the evidence point towards Bismarck being a clever opportunist (following a day to day policy and taking the course most likely to achieve his aims) or someone with a long term plan?

Look at the key events where Bismarck was in charge of Prussian policy:

• 
  Poland
  
• 
  The Danish War
  
• 
  The Austro-Prussian War
  
• 
  The Franco-Prussian War.
  

Also consider anything Bismarck may himself have said about German unification, anything his contemporaries said and what historians have said.

Some of the evidence has been laid out below. There is a lot more than this though!

Events out with Bismarck’s control	Actions Bismarck took
>Schleswig Holstein. Seized on the opportunity created by this crisis to strengthen Prussia's position as the defender of German nationalism. > A. J. P. Taylor argues that Bismarck followed a day to day policy. > Bismarck practiced Realpolitik.	>Bismarck's long term aim was to unite Germany under Prussian leadership. > Bismarck always made sure his enemies were isolated and that Prussia had allies.

Revision activities: quiz-quiz-trade cards (saved in folder marked New Germany unit in History shared area)


Historians

Williamson – Bismarck did not fashion German unity alone. He exploited powerful forces that already existed- economics, liberalism and nationalism

Mosse – unification was made easier by circumstance e.g. he exploited Schleswig Holstein situation and had advantages as the chancellor of a powerful state (economic influence, powerful army etc)

Aronson – Bismarck was an opportunist.

Stiles – Bismarck had a flexible approach to his goal of unification

Eyck – German unification in the third quarter of the nineteenth century was a natural development

Pflanze – Only under the stimulation provided by Bismarck for his own political ends did German nationalism begin to move the masses



Sample essay questions:

[Bold/underlined = isolated factor]

How important was Bismarck’s leadership to German unification?
“Bismarck’s task of unifying Germany was made easier by circumstance. If he played his hand with great skill, it was a good one in the first place.” How valid is this view of German unification?

To what extent was Prussia's economic power, the key factor in achieving German unification?