Lecture Notes: The March of the Austrian Army and German Unification

Background: The Austrian and Holy Roman Empires

• Francis II: Holy Roman Emperor, later Emperor of Austria.
  • Established Austrian Empire in response to Napoleon's rise.
• Holy Roman Empire: Comprised of German-speaking states, led by Austria and Prussia.
  • 1806: Dissolution after defeat by Napoleon.
• Confederation of the Rhine: Formed under French control after Holy Roman Empire dissolved.

The Rise of Nationalism

• Early 19th-century unrest due to French dominance spurred German identity.
• Congress of Vienna (1815): Established balance of power (Concert of Europe).
  • Clemens von Metternich: Key Austrian diplomat.
• Formation of the German Confederation: Loose alliance, seen as weak.
  • Excluded Prussia and Austria from certain political unifications.

Economic and Political Developments

• Prussia and the Zollverein (1819): Customs union to facilitate commerce between states, excluding Austria.
• Wave of liberal ideas and middle-class reforms.
  • 1848 Riots: Led to Metternich’s resignation and short-lived reforms.
  • Frankfurt Parliament: Attempt to unify Germany under a constitutional monarchy.

Paths to Unification

• Kleindeutschland vs. Grossdeutschland: Proposals for a unified Germany.
  • Kleindeutschland excluded Austrian territories.
• Nationalism as a uniting force in Germany, destabilizing in diverse empires.
  • Austria's opposition to unification due to dominance concerns.

Shifts in Power: Prussia vs. Austria

• Crimean War (1853-1856): Ended Russian support for Austria.
• Economic and Military Growth in Prussia
  • Industrialization and resources bolstered Prussian strength.
• Otto von Bismarck (1862): Appointed Minister President of Prussia.
  • Sought to strengthen Prussia and unify Germany.

Austro-Prussian War and Aftermath (1866)

• Schleswig-Holstein Issue: Led to war; Prussia and Austria's conflict.
  • Prussia’s victory excluded Austria from German leadership.
• Formation of the North German Confederation.

Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)

• Ems Dispatch: Bismarck’s edited telegram provoked French declaration of war.
• Prussian victory led to the creation of the German Empire.
  • Wilhelm I: Declared emperor at Versailles.
  • France ceded Alsace-Lorraine.

German Empire and Bismarck’s Policies

• Debate on unification vs. Prussian dominance.
• Kulturkampf: Struggle to reduce Catholic Church’s influence.
• Alliance with Austro-Hungarian Empire and African colonial expansion.

Wilhelm II and Prelude to World War I

• Wilhelm II’s naval expansion antagonized Britain.
• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914): Sparked World War I.
  • German military failures and Allied blockade led to internal revolt.
  • November Revolution (1918): Abdication of Wilhelm II, rise of the Weimar Republic.

Conclusion

• German unification shifted European power dynamics.
  • Set the stage for World War I and its aftermath.

These notes capture the key points and narrative surrounding the unification of Germany, the decline of Austrian dominance, and the prelude to major 20th-century conflicts.