History 332 – German History – October 4, 2004  

BISMARCK – Part II  

I.                   1862 – ENTER BISMARCK

A.    The “Way Things Are”

1.      Monarchy

2.      Elite Privilege (“Junkers”)

3.      Key role of Army & Bureaucracy

4.      Authority, Hierarchy, Command, etc.

B.     Two attacks on Monarchy & Aristocracy

1.      1789 – French Revolution inspires some Germans to think about Democracy – but – 1793, Terror; 1805, French Invasion!

2.      1848 – Second attempt to create Democracy – fails

C.    1862 – Liberals demand control over military budget;  King Wilhelm I threatens to abolish the Landtag

D.    Wilhelm appoints Bismarck Chancellor (note that Wilhelm does NOT need Landtag’s approval to appoint a Chancellor)  

II.                FROM DOMENSTIC CRISIS TO FOREIGN WARS (1862-1871)

A.    Bismarck rules by decree – and Landtag fails to act (B. argues that there’s a “lücke” in the constitution; no rule about how to rule when King and Landtag are deadlocked – so – Bismarck says it’s o.k. simply to rule by decree!

B.     Bismarck finds an opening!

1.      German “LIBERALS” had always wanted NATIONAL UNITY (remember that at Frankfurt, many liberals wanted a “Kleindeutsch” solution, that is, national unity led by Prussia)

2.      So – Bismarck promises Unity but with no Democracy, and

3.      Many liberals – the NATIONAL LIBERALS – accept the deal!

C.    Bismarck launches three wars to encourage national unity at home – Foreign Policy used for Domestic reasons

D.    1864 – WAR WITH DENMARK

1.      Schleswig-Holstein

2.      Europe stunned by Bismarck’s use of violence

3.      Prussian army performs brilliantly

4.      In Prussia – “RALLY AROUND THE KING AND BISMARCK!” (“we’re at war!  No time to critize the government!” “all REAL PATRIOTS must support the King & Bismarck!”

E.     1866 – WAR WITH AUSTRIA

1.      old feud over Central Europe

2.      excuse? Schleswig-Holstein settlement

3.      Prussia wins lightning war! (Fieldmarshal von Moltke)

4.      Battle of Königgrätz

F.     1870-1 – WAR WITH FRANCE

1.      excuse? Feud over Spain

2.      Ems Telegram

3.      Battle of Sedan;  Siege of Paris

4.      VERSAILLES, outside Paris – PROCLAMATION OF GERMAN UNITY!  

III.             FROM FOREIGN WARS TO DOMESTIC RECONSTRUCTION

A.    The Aim – PRESERVATION OF THE PRUSSIAN MONARCHICAL/ARISTOCRATIC SYSTEM

B.     The Means – “TRIANGULATION” – that is, ally with, and break with, this faction or that as necessary

1.      Bismarck with find ways to please “Liberals” (supports one “man” one vote; eagerly supports BUSINESS; is hostile to Catholics)

2.      “Socialists” (hates trade unions, but to mollify them, Bismarck will support huge social welfare system)

3.      and “Conservatives” (by preserving their power and privilege)                  

IV.              BISMARCK – Germany’s Great Hero? – or – Germany’s Misfortune?

 

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