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Italian and German unification
Impact of globalization on international relations
Impact of globalization on international relations
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There was a sweeping reform of unification in the European continent in the 19th century. Two unified nations that would arise out of this century were Italy and Germany. Though unified a mere ten years apart, there were many differences in their ultimate journey. In the essay to follow, I will examine the central ideas behind the unification of these nations, the groups of people who supported or opposed the unification and why. Furthermore, I will examine the historical events leading up to and following the unification as well as the political and intellectual figures central to these efforts. Though the ultimate goal appeared similar, the path journeyed to obtain this goal and the aftermath was quite different.
There was little sense of
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national pride within Italy in the 19th century. Politics had been decentralized for centuries and most Italians did not even refer to themselves as Italian, instead using a local or regional moniker with which they identified. This localism or regionalism was firmly entrenched within Italian society and was not viewed in a detrimental fashion by most. The ultimate unifying factor in Italy was their detestation of foreign rule and occupation. Italy had been passed around from ruling nation to ruling nation in the centuries preceding the 1800s. They found themselves under the rule of the Habsburg Austrians in the north and the Bourbon French in the south. These groups rule over Italian land was the doing of the widely loathed Congress of Vienna in 1815. Alessandro Manzoni (1785-1873) was an Italian poet who, in 1827, published his single novel, The Betrothed. The novel, though set some 200 years prior, dramatized the suffering beset by foreign invaders. The message of his novel was popular amongst the Italians and led a new wave of those calling for a unified Italy, free from the rule of outsiders. The German Confederation had been created by the Congress of Vienna.
The Prussians implemented new ideals and sought out reform early on in the life of the Confederation to include cities rights and competitive admission to German universities. These efforts were not substantial enough to the working and middle class and, in 1848, the Frankfurt Assembly was called to present ideas that would further German nationhood. The middle and working class in both Germany and Italy saw the detriments of industrial capitalism in the race to catch industrialized England. This concentration of wealth was negative to the economy as a whole and, in the political structure of the era, there was little to be done to break the monopoly a select few had over the masses. Beyond that, however, was where the contrasts were apparent. Italy sought protection from outside invaders yet saw little value in unification of social ideals unique to the local and regional areas. Germany sought unification for economic reformation purposes as well but, there was far less local and regional identity to hamper the process. Germany’s primary issues faced in unification was which ruling authority would rise to command Germany between the Prussians and Austrians, as well as the issue of what principalities would fall under eventual German rule. The primary opposition to unification in both Italy and Germany were the conservatives and wealthy who were anchored by both their belief in an outright capitalistic …show more content…
society as well as in lining their own pockets with their monopolistic practices. By the year 1860, Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882) had led his team of volunteers to victory against the Bourbon French in the south of Italy. About the same time, Camillo di Cavour (1810-1861), the Chief Minister to Vittorio Emmanuel II (1820-1878), the king of Piedmont-Sardinia (an Italian state), had nullified the power of the Habsburg Austrians in the north. These three men came together to determine the course in which Italy would pursue a unified nation. Monarchy was preferred by those in the north as this was the more wealthy and educated region of Italy. Emmanuel II and Cavour came as representatives of the north to propose this idea of monarchal reign. Garibaldi came from the south as an idealist and man of the people. He represented the democratic view of rule preferred by those in the south of Italy which was a more rural and less-educated area. Emmanuel II and Cavour would emerge as victors of sorts as, in 1861, Vittorio Emmanuel II traveled to Rome and took on the title king of Italy (r. 1861-1878). Following the Frankfurt Assembly, those hoping for a unified Germany were left with questions that had to be resolved. If a German nation was to be created, who would be included. There were German-governed principalities that would have, no doubt, been a part of the new German nation. There were, however, principalities with a German majority population that fell under the rule of other authorities. In the ultimate debate as to what was to be done moving forward, we return to the initial assertion that rule of the new German nation would be between the Prussians and Austrians. The Prussians were viewed as rulers of the people who operated with the interest of their subjects while promoting national union. The Austrians, on the other hand, were viewed as caring overwhelmingly about dynastic power. The Prussians asserted their will on the tense situation under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898). Bismarck was the Prime Minister of the Prussian contingent and was symbolic of the unification of the Prussian military and monarchy, an act deemed necessary to facilitate Prussian control of the future German nation. Bismarck did not enjoy or aggrandize war. He viewed it as a necessary measure in accomplishing the task set before him. Between 1866, when he started a war with Denmark, and 1871, the conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War, he led a campaign to claim disputed principalities and territories the Prussians viewed as part of the eventual German nation. Not wanting to appear overly militaristic, Bismarck endeared himself to the German people by advocating a number of liberal social programs that were contrary to his beliefs as a practitioner of Realpolitik, a practical political belief aimed at strengthening the state and tightening social order. The end result was the reign of the Prussian king William I (r. 1871-1888) as the first emperor of Germany. The aftermath of the unification of Italy led to an issue with the pope.
Not only was the pope the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, he was also the political ruler of part of central Italy. This had been true since the Middle Ages. Pope Pius IX (r. 1846-1878) refused to give up any of his secular authority and did not recognize the Kingdom of Italy. This issue would not be resolved until 1929, with the creation of the Vatican
City. Germany set out to institute Germanization to the countryside of its new nation. They outlawed languages of the native peoples in a variety of vital entities to include schools, military, books, and public sites. Bismarck was a devout Lutheran and he set out to quash Catholicism. This campaign is known as Kulturkampf and lasted from 1871 to 1878. Though his measures were totalitarian and calculated, the resistance to this movement actually had the opposite effect and Catholic representation in the Reichstag doubled during these seven years.
Germany was already on its way to unification in the early 1800s. The Congress of Vienna in 1815 had set up the German Confederation, with both Prussia and Austria-Hungary lacking the power to impose their rule over the area (Greusel 71). Austria-Hungary was generally seen as the more dominant of the German states. The capital of the German Confederation was Frankfurt, in the Austrian state of Hesse-Kassel (Headlam 87). Two solutions were considered to this duality: "Großdeutsche" and "Kleindeutsche." The Großdeutsche approach suggested a unification of all Ger...
The Weimer Republic, is the democratic government established in Germany in 1918 that ruled for fifteen years after the collapse of the German empire after the First World War.The republic consisted of moderates from the Social Democratic Party as well as their liberal allies, which included the German Democratic Party, and the Catholic Center Party. The Weimer Republic sought political democracy, which they believed was attainable by the elimination of war, revolutionary terror, and capitalism. Despite their clear goal, the Weimer Republic faced backlash by the radicals of society, which included communists, National Socialists, and the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler. THESIS: The Weimer Republic’s instability in the period of 1918-1933 is
In 19th century Italian states united to make Italy while the Germanic states united and made Germany. For Italy there were three people who had a major role in unifying Italy. They were Mazzini, Garibaldi and Cavour. For Germany it was more like one person who united the German states to make Germany and that was Bismarck. On the other hand there was a strong Austrian empire that would not tolerate any nationalist feelings to rise anywhere in Europe.
In document 3, it states “Nationalism has become general; it grows daily; and it has already grown strong enough to keep all the part of Italy united despite the differences that distinguish them.” This is saying that even though in the different regions of Italy have differences they still come together as one. Nationalism is important to countries because it is the people taking pride for their country. An Italian nationalist led the rebellions then the state piedmont declared war against Austraila. Camillo di Cavour was one of the most important leaders of the Italian unification movement, he helped Italy become one nation. In document 4 it is saying that Germany was united by a common language and a common way of thinking. Germany’s revolution was inspired by the French revolution when they were trying to change their
Berghahn Books. 2000 Germany and the Germans. After the Unification of the. New Revised Edition. John Ardagh.
To begin, in the 1800 century Europe had been lead by Empoorers and king at the time. A man named Napoleon had overthrown most of the political power in Europe which had encouraged the Unification when he had taken more and more land. At first there had been different barriers which had further yet stalled the process of the German Unification. These Barriers had been France preferring thirty nine weak states to one Nation, and Prussia being the most powerful amongst them. To continue the ruler of the smaller tiny states had feared power loss_ with large economic differences between eastern and western states.
Following the Second World War, Germany was rebuilt out of practically nothing into one of the richest countries of the world. This well-known transformation is known as the "Wirtschaftswunder" (wonder of economics). Yet in the recent reunification of West and East Germany, German leadership has ignored crucial lessons from this successful period of transformation. Three problems highlight this claim:
weeks, this proved a great success as it led to the setting up of the
Canning, Kathleen. “Responses to German Reunification.” The Journal of the International Institute. 2000. The Regents of the University of Michigan. 07 March 05
German Unification It would be impossible to tell the story of German Unification without giving Bismarck's role due prominence. Between 1862 and 1871 the map of Germany was altered radically, and Bismarck played a key role in the events, which led to the foundation of the new Reich, but his success was due to a combination of factors, not simply his own skill and genius as a politician. Bismarck was a Junker landowner who first made his mark in Prussian politics as a reactionary defender of the status quo, when he was elected to the united diet in 1847. During 1848-9 he gained his reputation as a defender of the old order.
The German Weimar Republic was an attempt to make Germany a more democratic state. While this was a very good idea in theory, the Weimar Republic was ineffective due to the instability that came with it. Several factors contributed to the instability of Germany’s Weimar Republic, such as the new political ideals brought forward and the government’s hunger for war.
The Congress of Vienna in 1814-15 created the so-called German Confederation under Austrian and Prussian hegemony, but this unit disappointed the dreams of nationalists. The rivalry of Austria and Prussia paralyzed it in a way comparable to the effects of Soviet-American dualism on the United Nations during the Cold War. Almost everywhere, the old rulers repressed the nationalist movement after 1815. The German princes realized that nationalism required reform.... ...
The division of Germany into West Germany and East Germany emerged as a stopgap solution for the woeful state of the nation following its defeat in the Second World War. With the United States (US) ultimately gaining full control over West Germany, East Germany increasingly became alienated towards it, as it went under the influence of the Soviet Union (USSR). West Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), rapidly grew into one of the most politically and economically influential nations in Europe representing the democratic interests of the US in the region, while East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR), went seemingly the other way. East Germans became increasingly disillusioned by the way their politicians have promoted communism in the GDR, characterized by oppressive measures and sheer inequality in living standards. The Stasi, the secret police unit of the GDR, closely monitored East Germans and purged those who are suspected or proven dissidents, while politicians of the nation enjoyed living standards that are way superior compared to the average East German. West Germans, on the other hand, enjoyed the benefits of political and economic reforms brought forth by the democratic influence of the US. Therefore, discontentment among East Germans increased the prospect of unification of the FRG and GDR – an issue that was never written off in consideration, only further complicated by political differences. Nevertheless, eventual unification of the FRG and GDR following the symbolic collapse of the Berlin Wall did not completely result to favorable circumstances, as problems that continued to alienate matters between the Western and Eastern sections of Germany remain unresolved (Brockman ...
Prior to unification in 1871 the territory that would become Germany was comprised of thirty-nine independent states and city states joined together in a loose German Confederation. The most powerful among these states was Prussia, both geographically the largest state and that with the largest population. The influential politicians and policies that came out of Prussia were instrumental in the gradual formation of a united Germany. Beginning with the rise of Napoleon, the nineteenth century was a time of incredible change which dramatically altered the political balance of Europe. In order to understand the factors that culminated in official German unification on January 18 1871, it is necessary to examine the preceding decades. No single factor can be credited for the unification of the German states. Rather, the combined forces of social change, economic strength within a unified customs union, the moral justifications provided by nationalism, Bismarck’s careful manipulation of internal politics and the advantages gained through military action resulted in the unification of Germany.
Even though Germanic tradition stems back to the 14th and 15th centuries, the German nation is relatively young. During its brief history, Germans were faced with the question of what constituted their own identity. Nationalism became a tool for the major players during the creation of the German State, and would later become deeply entrenched in the cultural mind. Nationalism served many masters, and could be used for the greater good, or sheer destruction. Nationalism storied past in Germany makes the modern state cautious when confronting national sentiments. Germans dark past has created a movement of Europeanization today. But in oder to better understand the modern German state, it is important look to how nationalism lead to its creation, and the ultimate affect it would have on the German people.