How did the ideas of German nationalism change from 1848?
How did the ideas of German nationalism change from 1848 and what was their attitude to Bismarck down to 1871? After the 1848 revolutions the question of a united Germany was firmly on the political agenda. Bismarck understood that the future of Germany was the main political question in central Europe and so he sought to settle this unanswered question in a way acceptable to Prussia as this would mean Germany could be unified under Prussia without liberal control of the monarchy. German nationalism was quiet during the 1850's after the defeats of 1848. The public began to realise that their idealism of German nationalism in 1848 had to give way to political realities. However the success of Italian unification in 1859 and the ferociousness of France against Austria had provoked a revival in German nationalism due to a widespread patriotic feeling. Also there were common fears of the French potential ambitions on the Rhine. So in September 1859 a liberal, middle class national society was formed in Hanover which encouraged the leadership of Prussia over a Kleindeutsch Germany that would exclude Austria. Common hope was that Prussia would adopt leadership of the German cause whilst becoming more liberal in outlook. The roma
However liberal hopes of Prussia were ruined when liberals in the Prussian parliament clashed with the Prussian king over the issue of army reform. In the Danish crisis Prussia had pursued her own policy oblivious to nationalism. Prussia won , defeating Austria and her German allies. Although the economic strength of Prussia gave her the resources she needed to challenge Austria in the 1860's as J. Instead the Prussian candidate withdrew due to French pressure but he was not at a complete loss as he was given ammunition to provoke France when he rejected their demands that the Prussian candidacy should not be renewed. Her direct challenge to Austria and call for reform of the German confederation provoked a war. This caused France to declare war, making them appear as the aggressor and Prussia as the defender if German interests. In this speech he appears to be offering the liberals the prospect of a united Germany in the hope that, in return, they would not continue to press for increased control over the government. Bismarck seized an opportunity to support a Prussian candidate to the Spanish throne to re establish Prussian prestige, and prepare a union with the southern states pretty soon as their support was beginning to weaken and he did not want there to be a Franco-Austrian alliance. There was considerable suspicion of Prussia but also popular pressure in the southern states for union and protection against France but Bismarck was prepared to wait Bismarck was pleased with the "informal influence" Prussia exerted over the southern states of Germany. Bismarck had to take into account and shape his ambitions for Prussia accordingly and that is one reason why a German empire emerged in 1871 rather than a greater Prussia. " However this appeal was ignored as nationalists still viewed Bismarck as a reactionary. Then in September 1862 Bismarck made a speech to the Prussian parliament. These liberals still had faith in constitutions, the rule of law and individual liberty but understood that freedom could only be guaranteed if Germany was to be a powerful state, and only Prussia could provide that power in their opinion. She was to urge her own policy again in 1866 in her attempt to acquire Holstein and eliminate Austrian influence from northern Germany.
Common topics in this essay:
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France Bismarck,
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German Nationalists,
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german empire,
liberal nationalists,
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Acceptance Essays
