Liberalism and Nationalism

A trend that I noticed while reading the required chapters is stated in this quote from the book; “liberalism and nationalism represented two sides of the same coin” (Hagen 138). At many points along the path to the unification of Germany, the people trying to bring about reform in the form of a new constitution and greater liberty were also the strongest advocates for a unified Germany. 

 A painting of the Congress of Vienna

 After the War of Liberation against Napoleon was won, the German people hoped that Germany would remain unified and that the promises of a new constitution would be upheld. However, the statesmen and diplomats that met at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 wished to return to the relative stability of the separate nation states and not upset the balance of power in Europe by creating a large new country in the middle of the continent. The people didn’t like this resolution and many University students protested. After the first political assassination in Germany in over 500 years occurred, the chief ministers of the German states, fearing that the violence would escalate, decided to suppress the revolutionary movements ruthlessly. The German states went back to their old ways and for a time there was peace (110-111).

Revolutionists carry flags that will one day become the national flag during the March Revolution

 

Over time, however, resentment over the broken promises built. Government heads tried to control public opinions through their control of the press and increased police pressure when demands were made for more political participation. The liberal opposition gained support while at the same time threats of a French invasion caused the idea national unity to also gain strength. In March of 1848 violence broke out and a revolution began. Liberals demanded freedom of the press and of assembly as well as the rights to form political parties and bear arms. The ruler of Prussia at the time, Frederick William IV, tried to set himself up as the best choice to be the leader of the unified Germany and calmed the people by promising to call a Prussian national assembly to draw up a constitution for Prussia. In May of 1848 a German National Assembly met, but a fight broke out over which regions to include in the new Germany and when a constitution was finally written it was not recognized. Fearing that revolution would soon reach new levels of violence, many liberals decided to be content with the progress that had been made. All over Germany new constitutions had been written and rulers shared power with parliaments. Germany was still separated, but the revolution came to an end (118-127). 

Napoleon III, who followed in the footsteps of his uncle

 

In 1859 the renewed threat of invasion by the French made Germans call out for the security of a unified country once again. A major exception to the theme of liberalism and nationalism coming as a pair was Otto von Bismarck. A conservative with a plan to unify the German nations, he became the prime minister of Prussia in 1862. Though not happy with his methods, liberals were forced to admit that they were effective.  It was through Bismarck’s careful planning that Germany finally became a unified country, not as a democracy, but an empire under control of the former King of Prussia (136-138).  

 Otto von Bismarck, who brought about the unification of Germany

From 1815 until the time Germany was finally unified in 1871, it was usually the progressive and well educated liberals that advocated the most for a combined German nation. They wanted to be able to participate in the politics that governed their lives and wanted a strong country that wouldn’t roll over every time it was threatened. Through a couple of revolution and with the help of Otto von Bismarck, they got what they wanted for the most part.

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