Unification of Germany

Unification of Germany

Period: Oct 20, 1834 to Oct 20, 1871

Zollverien

Oct 30, 1834

An important step in the creation of German economic unity was begun by Prussia in 1818 with the creation of a free-trade area within its boundaries. In 1834 the tariffs and trade barriers between 18 states were eliminated, and by the middle of the century all states except Austria had joined the Customs Union.The establishment of a customs union that was to initiate the liberal economic era in the German Confederation was not begun as an economic measure, but rather one of enlightened bureaucratic rationalization. When the Holy Roman Empire was abolished in 1806, Germany was burdened by not only political particularism but also economic particularism. All bureaucratic proposals to establish a uniform currency and abolish trade barriers were foiled by the selfish interests of the territorial princes. At the end of the Napoleonic era Prussia acquired new territories at the Congress of Vienna, including territories along the Rhine and in Saxony to the southeast. Imports brought into Germany at ports along the Rhine had to traverse other states, which charged tariffs and generally made distribution to other parts of Prussia more difficult. As early as 1818 Prussian officials in the Ministry of Finance proposed the establishment of a customs union (Zollverein), attempting to lower costs and facilitate a more liberal trade policy by eliminating its 67 different tariff schedules. This single market favored the grain producers, mainly the noble landowners to the east (Junkers), but was disadvantageous for the infant German industries that needed protection from cheaper imported English goods. At the port of entry member states were to charge a tax that would be divided among the states according to population, but transit taxes were abolished. This applied to Prussia and its immediate neighbors, such as Hanover and Hesse. The states to the south, Bavaria, Württemberg, and Baden, traditionally distrusted Protestant Prussia and often allied themselves with Catholic Austria. Because of fears of losing their political independence, the proposals were not implemented for them until 1834. This political fear was balanced, however, by a greater fear of economic isolation, because the Austrian Empire had in the meantime established its own separate customs union, including its territories within the Confederation. Furthermore, the currency of the Prussian-led Customs Union of 1834 became the Thaler, the currency of Prussia. Consequently, these measures effectually left the economic leadership of the German Confederation to Prussia.The actual economic unification of Germany under Prussian leadership was essentially the work of Friedrich von Motz (b. 1775–d. 1830) the Prussian minister of finance. He was a more progressive member of the Prussian cabinet who had grown up in the era of Prussian reforms. He was an advocate of the free-trade ideas of Adam Smith, appreciated the role of the middle class in the Industrial Revolution, and had the clusion of the southern German states would eventually lead to their becoming part of a unified Germany under Prussian leadership.

Johann Gustav Droysen: Speech to the Frankfurt Assembly, 1848

Oct 20, 1848

We cannot conceal the fact that the whole German question is a simple alternative between Prussia and Austria. In these states German life has its positive and negative poles--in the former, all the interests which are national and reformative, in the latter, all that are dynastic and destructive. The German question is not a constitutional question, but a question of power; and the Prussian monarchy is now wholly German, while that of Austria cannot be. . . .We need a powerful ruling house. Austria's power meant lack of power for us, whereas Prussia desired German unity in order to supply the deficiencies of her own power. Already Prussia is Germany in embryo. She will "merge" with Germany. . .

Otto von Bismarck: Letter to Minister von Manteuffel

Oct 30, 1856

Because of the policy of Vienna [the Congress of Vienna, 1815], Germany is clearly too small for us both [Prussia and Austria]; as long as an honorable arrangement concerning the influence of each in Germany cannot be concluded and carried out, we will both plough the same disputed acre, and Austria will remain the only state to whom we can permanently lose or from whom we can permanently gain. . . .I wish only to express my conviction that, in the not too distant future, we shall have to fight for our existence against Austria and that it is not within our power to avoid that, since the course of events in Germany has no other solution.

William I King of Prussia

Oct 30, 1861

Essentially conservative, William fled to England during the revolutionary uprisings of 1848 in Prussia, and upon his return (1849) he commanded the troops that crushed the republican insurrection in Baden. When his brother King Frederick William IV was declared insane, William became (1858) regent, and on Frederick William's death William became king of Prussia. William immediately set about reorganizing and strengthening the army, and when he met the opposition of the legislature, he appointed

Treaty of Vienna

Oct 30, 1864

The Treaty of Vienna, a peace treaty signed between the Austria, Prussia, and Denmark. Based on the terms of the treaty, Prussia would administer Schleswig and Austria would administer Holstein. Disputes over the administration of the two provinces would lead to the Austro-Prussian War.

War with Denmark

Oct 30, 1864

Germany became a modern, unified nation under the leadership of the “Iron Chancellor” Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898), who between 1862 and 1890 effectively ruled first Prussia and then all of Germany. A master strategist, Bismarck initiated decisive wars with Denmark, Austria and France to unite 39 independent German states under Prussian leadership. Although an arch-conservative, Bismarck introduced progressive reforms—including universal male suffrage and the establishment of the first welfare state—in order to achieve his goals. He manipulated European rivalries to make Germany a world power, but in doing so laid the groundwork for both World Wars.

Treaty of Prague

Aug 23, 1866

ARTICLE I.There shall be Peace and Friendship between His Majesty the Emperor of Austria and His Majesty the King of Prussia, and between their heirs and successors, as well as between their respective States and subjects, henceforth and for ever.ARTICLE II.For the purpose of carrying out Article VI of the Preliminaries of Peace concluded at Nikolsburg on the 26th July, 1866, and as His Majesty the Emperor of the French officially declared through his accredited Ambassador to His Majesty the King of Prussia, on the 29th July, 1866, qu'en ce qui concerne le Gouvernement de I'Empereur, la Vénétie est acquise à l'Italie pour lui être remise a la Paix,— His Majesty the Emperor of Austria also accedes on his part to that Declaration and gives his consent to the Union of the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom with the Kingdom of Italy, without any other burdensome condition than the liquidation of those Debts which, being charged on the Territories ceded, are to be recognized in accordance with the precedent of the Treaty of Zurich.ARTICLE III.The Prisoners of War shall be set at liberty immediately on both sides.ARTICLE IV.His Majesty the Emperor of Austria acknowledges the dissolution of the Germanic Confederation as hitherto constituted, and gives his consent to a new organization of Germany without the participation of the Imperial Austrian State. His Majesty likewise promises to recognize the more restricted Federal relations which His Majesty the King of Prussia will establish to the north of the line of the Main; and he declares his concurrence in the formation of an Association of the German States situated to the south of that line, whose national connexion with the North German Confederation is reserved for further arrangement between the parties, and which will have an independent international existence.ARTICLE V.His Majesty the Emperor of Austria transfers to His Majesty the King of Prussia all the rights which he acquired by the Vienna Treaty of Peace of 30th October, 1864, over the Duchies of Holstein and Schleswig, with the condition that the populations of the Northern Districts of Schleswig shall be ceded to Denmark if, by a free vote, they express a wish to be united to Denmark.1ARTICLE VI.At the desire of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, His Majesty the King of Prussia declares his willingness to let the present Territorial condition of the Kingdom of Saxony remain to the same extent as before, in the alterations which are about to be made in Germany; but he reserves to himself the right of arranging the contribution of Saxony to the expenses of the War, and the future position of the Kingdom of Saxony in the North German Confederation, by a special Treaty to be concluded with His Majesty the King of Saxony.On the other hand, His Majesty the Emperor of Austria promises to recognise the new arrangements that will be made by His Majesty the King of Prussia in North Germany, including the Territorial alterations.ARTICLE VII.For the purpose of making arrangements respecting the late Federal Property, a Commission will meet at Frankfort-on-the-Main within 6 weeks at farthest from the Ratification of this Treaty, to which Commission all claims and demands on the German Confederation are to be sent in, and they will be liquidated within 6 months. Austria and Prussia will send Representatives to that Commission, and all the other late Federal Governments are at liberty to do the same.ARTICLE VIII.Austria has the right of removing or otherwise disposing of the Imperial Property in the Federal Fortresses and the part of the movable Federal Property belonging to Austria, according to specification; the same is the case with all the movable effects of the Confederation.ARTICLE IX.The Pensions to which the regular Officials, Servants, and Pensioners of the Confederation are entitled, or which have already been granted, will be secured to them pro rata of the register.The Royal Prussian Government, however, undertakes the Pensions and Allowances hitherto paid out of the Federal matriculation fund to the Officers of the former Schleswig-Holstein Army and their survivors.ARTICLE X.The persons interested in the Pensions granted by the Imperial Royal Austrian Lieutenancy in Holstein will still be allowed to draw them.The sum of 449,500 thalers of Danish currency in 4 per cent. Danish State Bonds, which is still in the custody of the Imperial Royal Austrian Government, and which belongs to the Holstein Treasury, will be restored to it immediately after the Ratification of the present Treaty.No one belonging to the Duchies of Holstein and Schleswig, and no subject of their Majesties the Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia will be prosecuted, molested, or obstructed in his person or property on account of his Political conduct during the late events and the War.ARTICLE XI.His Majesty the Emperor of Austria undertakes to pay to His Majesty the King of Prussia the sum of 40,000,000 Prussian thalers, to cover part of the expenses which Prussia has been put to by the War. From that sum is however to be deducted the amount of the War expenses which His Majesty the Emperor of Austria has still to demand from the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, according to Article XII of the aforesaid Treaty of Vienna of the 30th October, 1864, to the extent of 15,000,000 Prussian thalers, as well as a further sum of 5,000,000, as an equivalent for the free maintenance which the Prussian Army is to have in those parts of the Austrian Territories which it occupies, until the conclusion of Peace; so that there only remain 20,000,000 to be paid in ready money.One-half of that sum is to be settled when the Ratification of the present Treaty takes place, the second half 3 weeks later at Oppeln in cash.ARTICLE XII.The Evacuation of the Austrian Territories held by the Royal Prussian troops shall be completed within 3 weeks after the exchange of the Ratifications of the Treaty of Peace. From the day of the exchange of the Ratifications the Prussian General Governments will confine their functions to the purely military sphere of operations.The special stipulations according to which the Evacuation is to take place are settled in a separate Protocol which forms an Appendix to the present Treaty.ARTICLE XIII.All the Treaties and Conventions concluded between the High Contracting Parties before the War are hereby again brought into force, in so far as they by their nature, must not lose their effect by the dissolution of the relations of the Germanic Confederation. The General Cartel Convention between the German Federal States, of the 10th February, 1831, together with the supplementary stipulations belonging thereto, will especially retain its validity between Austria and Prussia. The Imperial Royal Austrian Government declares, however, that the Monetary Treaty concluded the 24th January, 1857, loses its most essential value for Austria by the dissolution of the German Federal relations, and the Royal Prussian Government declares its willingness to enter into negotiations with Austria and the other participators in that Treaty for the abrogation thereof.In like manner, the High Contracting Parties reserve to themselves to enter into a negotiation as soon as possible for the Revision of the Commercial and Customs Treaty of the 11th April, 1865, for the further facilitation of their reciprocal traffic. Meanwhile the said Treaty shall again come into force, on the condition that each of the High Contracting Parties reserves the right of putting an end to its operation after 6 months' notice.ARTICLE XIV.The Ratifications of the present Treaty shall be exchanged at Prague within the space of 8 days, or sooner if possible.In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty, and have affixed to it the Seals of their Arms.Done at Prague, on the 23rd day of the month of August, in the year of Salvation ,1866.

Ems Telegram

Jul 13, 1870

Ems Telegram. The French demanded official renunciation of Prussian candidacy for the Spanish throne. William I argreed Bismark changed what William I said in the telegram to cause the Franco-Prussian War.

The Imperial Proclamation

Jan 18, 1871

Whereas the German princes and the free cities have unanimously called upon us to renew and to assume, with the restoration of the German Empire, the German imperial office, which has been empty for more than sixty years; and Whereas adequate arrangements have been provided for this in the constitution of the German Confederation;
We, Wilhelm, by the grace of God King of Prussia, do herewith declare that we have considered it a duty to our common fatherland to answer the summons of the united

Treaty of Frankfurt am Main ends Franco-Prussian War

May 10, 1871

The humiliating defeat of Louis Napoleon's Second Empire of France is made complete on May 10, 1871, when the Treaty of Frankfurt am Main is signed, ending the Franco-Prussian War and marking the decisive entry of a newly unified German state on the stage of European power politics, so long dominated by the great empires of England and France.At the root of the Franco-Prussian conflict was the desire of the ambitious statesman Prince Otto von Bismarck to unify the collection of German states under the control of the most powerful of them, his own Prussia. The event that immediately precipitated the war was the Bismarck-engineered bid by Prince Leopold, of the Prussian Hohenzollern royal family, for the throne of Spain, left empty after a revolution in 1868. Horrified by the idea of a Prussian-Spanish alliance, the French government of Louis Napoleon (or Napoleon III) blocked this idea and, determined to humiliate Prussia into subordination, insisted that the Prussian king, Wilhelm I, personally apologize to the French sovereign and promise that there be no further such attempts by the Hohenzollerns. Wilhelm refused, and subsequently authorized Bismarck to publish the French demands and his own rejection of them; the prince did so knowing such a move would precipitate a war, which he himself greatly desired in order to free Prussia completely from French influence.Eager to regain prestige after numerous defeats abroad and reassert its military dominance on the European continent, France declared war on July 19, 1870. Unfortunately for the French, the states of southern Germany honored their treaties with mighty Prussia and immediately backed Wilhelm's armies. Thus the Germans were able to marshal some 400,000 men, double the number of French troops, at the outset of the war. Under the supreme command of Wilhelm and guided by Count Helmuth von Moltke—known as Moltke The Elder, to distinguish him from his nephew, who would command German forces during World War I—three German armies cut a broad swath through France, gaining the upper hand almost from the beginning of the fighting.The crucial battle of the war, fought around the town of Sedan in northern France, resulted in a crushing German victory, in which Napoleon III himself was captured. Upon learning of the emperor's capture, Paris exploded into rebellion; the legislative assembly was dissolved, and France was declared a republic. Meanwhile, the Germans were closing in: by the end of September, they had captured Strasbourg and completely surrounded France's capital city, which they subjected to merciless siege and bombardment for the next several months. On January 19, 1871, the French government was forced to open negotiations for surrender. A day earlier, in an added humiliation for France, the Bismarckian dream of unification was fulfilled, as Wilhelm I of Prussia was crowned emperor, or kaiser, of the new German state, in a ceremony that took place in the sumptuous Hall of Mirrors, at Paris's Versailles palace.By the terms of the final treaty, signed on May 10, 1871, at Frankfurt am Main, Germany annexed the French provinces of Alsace (excluding Belfort) and Lorraine; the French were also ordered to pay an indemnity of five billion francs. German troops occupied France until September 1873, when the amount had been paid in full. The Franco-Prussian War and the nearly three years of German occupation that followed marked the beginning of a growing enmity between anxious France, its influence and power in decline, and striving Germany, a technologically and industrially superior nation that by the first decade of the 20th century had built the most powerful land army on the European continent. In the summer of 1914, this rivalry would explode into full-scale global warfare, pitting France and the Allies against Germany and the Central Powers in the most devastating conflict the world had yet seen.