Glossary
Austro-Prussian War (1866)
A brief but decisive war between Prussia and Austria, resulting in Prussian dominance over the German states and the dissolution of the German Confederation.
Example:
Prussia's swift victory in the Austro-Prussian War (1866) cemented its position as the leading power among the German states, excluding Austria from future German affairs.
Compromise of 1867
An agreement that established the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary, granting Hungary equal status with Austria within the Habsburg Empire.
Example:
The Compromise of 1867 was an attempt to stabilize the multi-ethnic Habsburg Empire by appeasing Hungarian nationalist demands, though it created new tensions with other ethnic groups.
Concert of Europe
A system of dispute resolution adopted by the major European powers after the Napoleonic Wars, aimed at maintaining peace and the balance of power through collective action.
Example:
The Concert of Europe attempted to prevent major conflicts, but its inability to address rising nationalist movements ultimately led to its decline.
Count Camillo Cavour
The Prime Minister of Piedmont-Sardinia, he was a shrewd statesman who used diplomatic alliances and strategic warfare to achieve Italian unification under the House of Savoy.
Example:
Count Camillo Cavour masterfully played European powers against each other, securing French support to expel Austrian influence from northern Italy.
Crimean War
A conflict fought from 1853 to 1856 primarily between Russia and an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, Britain, and Sardinia, over control of Ottoman territories and Christian holy sites.
Example:
The devastating losses and strategic blunders of the Crimean War exposed the weaknesses of the Russian Empire and shattered the existing European diplomatic order.
Danish War (1864)
A conflict in which Prussia and Austria fought Denmark over the disputed territories of Schleswig and Holstein, leading to their joint administration.
Example:
The Danish War (1864) was Bismarck's first strategic move, allowing Prussia to gain territory and set the stage for future conflicts with Austria.
First Balkan War (1912-1913)
A conflict in which the Balkan League (Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, and Serbia) successfully drove the Ottoman Empire out of most of its remaining European territories.
Example:
The swift victories of the Balkan League in the First Balkan War (1912-1913) dramatically altered the map of Southeast Europe and intensified regional rivalries.
Franco-Prussian War (1870)
A conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia (and its German allies), which resulted in a decisive German victory and the unification of Germany.
Example:
The humiliating defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War (1870) not only led to the creation of the German Empire but also sowed seeds of resentment that contributed to World War I.
Giuseppe Garibaldi
An Italian general and nationalist who played a key role in the unification of Italy, leading his volunteer 'Red Shirts' in military campaigns across southern Italy.
Example:
Giuseppe Garibaldi's daring conquest of Sicily and Naples with his 'Red Shirts' was a crucial military contribution to Italian unification.
Giuseppe Mazzini
An Italian revolutionary and ardent nationalist who advocated for a unified, republican Italy through popular uprising and education.
Example:
Giuseppe Mazzini's passionate writings inspired many young Italians to join the cause of unification, even though his republican vision wasn't fully realized.
Nationalism
A political ideology that emphasizes the loyalty and devotion of an individual to a nation-state, often promoting the interests of a particular nation as separate from and superior to the interests of other nations.
Example:
The fervent nationalism of the German people fueled their desire for a unified state, leading to the eventual creation of the German Empire.
Otto von Bismarck
The conservative Prussian statesman who masterminded the unification of Germany through a series of strategic wars and diplomatic maneuvers.
Example:
Otto von Bismarck's cunning use of 'Realpolitik' allowed him to achieve German unification under Prussian dominance, forever changing the European power balance.
Piedmont-Sardinia
A powerful Italian state in the 19th century that served as the nucleus for Italian unification, led by King Victor Emmanuel II and Prime Minister Cavour.
Example:
Piedmont-Sardinia's strong military and liberal government made it the natural leader for the movement to unify the fragmented Italian peninsula.
Realpolitik
A political philosophy, famously practiced by Otto von Bismarck, that prioritizes practical and material factors over ideological or ethical considerations in foreign policy.
Example:
Bismarck's decision to provoke wars to achieve German unification, rather than relying on moral appeals, is a prime example of Realpolitik in action.
Red Shirts
The volunteer army led by Giuseppe Garibaldi, known for their distinctive red uniforms, which played a pivotal role in the unification of Italy by conquering the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Example:
The legendary charge of Garibaldi's Red Shirts through southern Italy captured the imagination of nationalists across Europe.
Rome
The historic capital of the Papal States, which became the capital of unified Italy in 1871 after French troops withdrew during the Franco-Prussian War.
Example:
The capture of Rome was the final piece of the Italian unification puzzle, symbolizing the complete sovereignty of the new Italian state.
Second Balkan War (1913)
A conflict that erupted among the former allies of the First Balkan War, primarily between Bulgaria and Serbia/Greece, over the division of newly acquired territories.
Example:
The bitter disputes and shifting alliances of the Second Balkan War (1913) further destabilized the region, making it a powder keg for future European conflict.
Venetia
A region in northeastern Italy, including the city of Venice, that was initially under Austrian control and joined unified Italy in 1866.
Example:
The acquisition of Venetia after the Austro-Prussian War marked another significant step towards completing Italian unification.
Young Italy
A political movement founded by Giuseppe Mazzini in 1831, dedicated to the unification of Italy under a republican government.
Example:
Through secret societies and revolutionary propaganda, Young Italy sought to ignite a widespread popular movement for Italian independence and unity.
Zollverein
A customs union of German states established in 1834, which eliminated internal tariffs and fostered economic integration, laying groundwork for political unification.
Example:
The Zollverein not only boosted trade among German states but also cultivated a sense of shared identity and economic interdependence, paving the way for a unified nation.