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Congress of Vienna
This document signed by the Congress of Vienna represented a positive effect on the nationalism of the German people by giving them a newfound appreciation of their language, past, and traditions.The Congress of Vienna met to discuss the reorganiztion of Europe after the chaotic rule of Napoleon in France. During their meet, they turned Napoelon's Confederation of the Rhine into the German Comfederation. By restructuring the borders, nationalism throughout Germany increased (positive effect) by Germans now appreciating their language, past, and traditions more than ever before, creating a stronger Germany just through nationalisim. -
The Zollverein is created
The Zollverein had a positive effect on German unification because in encouraged partnership in business & trade, which would bring similar ideas & beliefs to the states.The Zollverein was a custom union created to abolish taxes that restricted trade among the German states. The goal was to spread industrialization, force the exchange of goods & ideas, and make states economically dependent. -
Frankfurt Assembly Creates a Constitution
This event brought a positive (nationalism) effect because it made the people happy again. The group had met their needs and satisfied them, which renewed their nationalist ideas for their country.Liberals had been meeting as the Frankfurt Assembly and created a constitution. They had been demanding a unified Germany and wanted Frederick William IV to be the ruler of the state. This constitution was basically provided a compromise, one that provided for a constitutional monarchy. The representatives were chosen by ballot, another representation of the want for democratic rule in Germany. -
Bismark's Rise to Power
Bismark's involvement in the government had a positive effect (on nationalism) in the German Unification because it gave people a sense of hope that the unification could happen. Without Bismark, the German Unification might not have been as successful as it was.Otto von Bismark, a landowning noble from Prussia's Junker class, was appointed by William I. He was a diplomat, prime minister, and chancellor during his political career. As chancellor, he was the highest official of the monarch, and used his "blood and iron" policy to unite the German states. He strengthend the army to win all of Prussia's three wars and ultimately was a necessary element in the German unification. His appointment brought a sense of hope for Prussia and Germany as a whole. -
The Danish War
The Danish War was a positive (nationalism) step towards German unification because Prussia gained more territory to go with the German people. This allowed the Germans to stay in one place. The Danish War was fought between Denmark & Prussia, with Austria as ally, over two German states bordering Denmark-Schleswig and Holstein. Won by Prussia, the territory was distributed so Austria gained Schleswig & Prussia gained Holstein. -
The Seven Weeks' War
This war was a positive (nationalism) effect towards unification because Prussia gained territory as well as control over what would become the North German Confederation. People were excited about what could possibly be coming (unification) and were displaying tons of nationalism during this time.The Seven Weeks' War was fought between Austria & Prussia because Prussia hoped to dimish Austria's power as a state, but Bismark made Austria declare war on Prussia. The Neighboring European countries were prevented from interferring in the war so that a true battle between the two could be fought. Prussia quickly defeated Austria because of their advancements in communication & technology. -
North German Confederation Created
The flag of the North German Confederation tried to represent the ideas and beliefs of the states that would become a part of this confederation.This event represented a positive effect (on nationalism) by showing that people were finally agreeing on topics and growing towards unification. This made the Germans excited and strengthened their nationalistic ideas towards their country.This confederation grew out of the original German Confederation broken into the German States created during the Congress of Vienna. The confederation contained the northern, Protestant German States that were dominated by Prussia. The confederation brought some democratic ideas and elements to Germany by introducing a legistative body ,Reichstag, (elected by universal male suffrage). The government remained an autocracy though, and Bismark wanted to unite the southern states through war. -
The EMS Dispatch
The EMS Dispatch (telegram) represents another positive (nationalism) step towards unification because it resulted in Southern and Northern Germany becoming unified which had a great influence on nationalism.Napoleon III requested that William prevent further rule of his relative because it could cause France to be surrounded by the German states. Bismark received the telegram for the king, but changed it to damage the reputation of France. He saw this as an opportunity to have France declare war and unite South & North Germany. This telegram "editing" would end up beginning the Fraco-Prussian War. -
The Franco-Prussian War
This war would have a positive effect on nationalist because it marked the ending of tensions between these states and brought a sense of unity. This could also be seen as a negative effect on their relations with foreign & neighboring countries. Some histories has said this was is Germany's "revenge" on France for Napoleon I's harsh conquests and actions.This war is considered to be the turning point of the German unification since it was the last (major) war fought before the unification. -
Formation of the German Empire
The newly written German Contitution brought forth a sense of nationalism in the people of Germany.This picture depicts the event and shows how people were proud of their country and had tons of nationalism.This event marked the end result of these events and ensured unification as the German Empire. Germany established William as kaiser and Bismark as the chancellor of the new empire. They established a constitution with new reforms and changes to align with the wants and needs of each state that would be unifying with them. The unification brought a positive effect on nationalism bringing people closer and creating a sense of pride, but political tension would begin with neighboring countries.
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