National Unification and the National State

1. National Unification and the National State Chapter 12, Section 3

2. Breakdown of the Concert of Europe • Crimean War • Russia vs Ottoman Empire • Russia wanted to expand into Ottoman-controlled Balkans • 1853 – Russians invade Balkan lands • British and French step in to help Ottomans, fear Russian power grab and control of Mediterranean • Austria refuses to help Russia • Treaty of Paris of 1856 – Russia surrenders, the Great Powers now own provinces of Moldavia and Walachia • Effect – Concert of Europe ends • Austrian refusal to help Russia, France and Britain against Russia • Russia withdraws from European affairs

3. Italian Unification • Italian city-state of Piedmont begins unification quest • Ruled by Savoy family • Had to defeat Austrians to accomplish this, but needed help • Made an alliance with Louis Napoleon and France, then provoked war with Austria • France helped • Meanwhile, Giuseppe Garibaldi is raising an army of Italians • Called “red shirts” because of their clothing • Giuseppe takes the two Sicilies • Giuseppe gives up power to Piedmont, Victor Emmanuel II named king of Italy

4. German Unification • Following failure of the Frankfurt Assembly, Germans looked to Prussia to lead unification • Known for large army and militarism, or reliance on military strength • One of the larger German states • In 1860s, King William I was denied right to enlarge army by Prussian legislature • Appoints Otto von Bismarck, who pushes through legislature to enlarge it • Used realpolitik, or politics based on practical matters, not theories • Bismarck took most of northern Germany, organized an alliance with southern Germany

5. German Unification Cont’d • Prussia and France soon became engaged in arguments for the successor of the Spanish throne • Bismarck takes advantage, lures France into war in 1870 (Franco-Prussian War) • Combined northern and southern German states dominate French troops, France surrenders in 1871 • Southern German states agree to enter Northern German Confederation • William I of Prussia named kaiser, or emperor, of united Germany

6. Meanwhile, Across Europe… • Great Britain • Most stable in Europe • Granted more voting rights, increased jobs through Industrial Revolution • France • Louis Napoleon holds a plebiscite, or popular vote, to restore French Empire – 97% say “yes” • Emperor Napoleon III limited rights, created an authoritarian state • Lasted until 1871, when French were defeated by Prussia • Austria • After defeating rebels in 1848-49, still saw protest • Defeat by Prussia hurt the government, forced them to consider granting rights • Austria-Hungary formed through Compromise of 1867 • Russia • Following Crimean War, changes needed • Alexander issues emancipation edict, freeing serfs, gave land to them • Still did not create a happy people, as lands were often worst available

7. Nationalism in the United States • Following War of 1812 with Britain, surge of Nationalism that would be short lived • Right to vote available to most white males, but slavery still a problem • Abolitionism challenged slavery issue • December 1860 – secession begins • South separates from the North • American Civil War lasts from 1861-1865 • United States forced to overcome slavery issue and Southern punishments together

8. Canada • Canada had been a British possession since 1763 – following Seven Years’ War • Over time, nationalist sentiment builds within colonies • British fear a Canadian rebellion that could result in Americans gaining land • 1867 – Parliament passes British North America Act, establishing a Canadian nation

9. Exit Slip • What were the causes and effects of the Crimean War? • How did Nationalism play into Italian unification? • How did Nationalism play into German unification?