Nationalism, and how Italy and Germany became countries

Grade 10 Social Studies Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Use this

   Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted.

2. 1.

   Ari asks who decided that Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden would join the empire. What does card A show?

   • Austria decided, since the war of 1866 settled which German states would join the empire later
   • Their voters decided, since the card says the states resisted until the national cause was strong enough
   • Prussia's army decided by occupying them, since card A says they resisted Prussian leadership at first
   • Their rulers agreed after war with France began; the card shows rulers deciding and does not show voters

3. Use this

   Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted. Card C (today): “Proclamation of the German Empire, 1871”. Who made it: historians at the Palace of Versailles. For whom: visitors and readers today. Why: to tell the palace's history. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The palace's account says that Chancellor Bismarck proclaimed the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors on January 18, 1871. It says Bismarck aimed to federate the German states around Prussia, and that Wilhelm was proclaimed emperor. Context (what else was happening): The palace lies in France. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It tells the story from the palace's point of view.

4. 2.

   Card A says rulers agreed to join; card C says Bismarck proclaimed the empire. Bo asks if the two cards conflict.

   • No: card C shows Bismarck acted alone, and card A agrees that the rulers had no part in joining
   • No: card A gives the rulers' agreement and card C the proclamation; they describe different steps
   • Yes: card A makes rulers the deciders and card C makes Bismarck the decider, so one card must be wrong
   • Yes: a palace card cannot be trusted next to an institute's card, so card A should be used instead

5. Use this

   Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted. Card B (today): “Forging an Empire: Bismarckian Germany”. Who made it: a historian writing for the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to introduce Germany under Bismarck. Summary in our words, not a quotation: From 1815 to 1866 the German Confederation was a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. Nationalists wrote about a future Germany, and after 1830 newspapers spread their message. A National Assembly elected in Frankfurt in 1848 lacked the power to impose its decisions. In September 1862 King Wilhelm I appointed Otto von Bismarck. Context (what else was happening): Written today, as an introduction to a set of documents. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It is a short introduction by one historian.

6. 3.

   In 1848 an elected assembly lacked power to impose its decisions; in 1870 rulers agreed to join. Esme asks what contrast the cards support.

   • Voters opposed unification in 1870, since the elected assembly of 1848 had failed to form a state
   • Nationalism had no effect, since the assembly failed in 1848 and the rulers decided in 1870
   • An elected body without power did not form a state; rulers with armies did
   • The assembly of 1848 caused the empire of 1871, since it came first and began the whole process

7. Use this

   Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted. Card B (today): “Forging an Empire: Bismarckian Germany”. Who made it: a historian writing for the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to introduce Germany under Bismarck. Summary in our words, not a quotation: From 1815 to 1866 the German Confederation was a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. Nationalists wrote about a future Germany, and after 1830 newspapers spread their message. A National Assembly elected in Frankfurt in 1848 lacked the power to impose its decisions. In September 1862 King Wilhelm I appointed Otto von Bismarck. Context (what else was happening): Written today, as an introduction to a set of documents. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It is a short introduction by one historian. Card C (today): “Proclamation of the German Empire, 1871”. Who made it: historians at the Palace of Versailles. For whom: visitors and readers today. Why: to tell the palace's history. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The palace's account says that Chancellor Bismarck proclaimed the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors on January 18, 1871. It says Bismarck aimed to federate the German states around Prussia, and that Wilhelm was proclaimed emperor. Context (what else was happening): The palace lies in France. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It tells the story from the palace's point of view.

8. 4.

   Jun weighs nationalism, Prussian power and war as causes of the empire. Which reading do the cards best support?

   • Nationalism made one Germany thinkable; the cards show wars and rulers' agreements creating it
   • War created the empire by itself, since each step in card A follows a war between states
   • Nationalism created the empire, since newspapers spread the idea from 1830 and the empire followed
   • Nationalism played no part, since the 1848 assembly failed and the rulers made the final choice

9. Use this

   Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted.

10. 5.

    Card A says the southern states resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870. What does that suggest about the war, Kira?

    • The war mattered as a cause because it changed the southern rulers' choice, though card A does not say why
    • The war explains union by itself, since the rulers joined as soon as it began in July 1870
    • The war was a coincidence, since the north had already joined together in 1867 without any war with France
    • The war forced the southern states to join, since they resisted Prussia until the war began

11. Use this

    Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted. Card C (today): “Proclamation of the German Empire, 1871”. Who made it: historians at the Palace of Versailles. For whom: visitors and readers today. Why: to tell the palace's history. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The palace's account says that Chancellor Bismarck proclaimed the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors on January 18, 1871. It says Bismarck aimed to federate the German states around Prussia, and that Wilhelm was proclaimed emperor. Context (what else was happening): The palace lies in France. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It tells the story from the palace's point of view.

12. 6.

    Austria was outside the 1871 empire. Luz asks which explanation cards A and C support.

    • The 1866 war left Austria out, and Bismarck aimed to build around Prussia
    • German speakers lived in Prussia and nowhere else, so Austria had no claim to join the empire
    • Austria chose to stay out, since it had a large empire of its own and no wish to be German
    • Bavaria's ruler objected to Austria, since the southern states resisted Prussian leadership at first

13. Use this

    Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted.

14. 7.

    Many German speakers lived in Austria, which the 1871 map leaves outside. What does that show about the empire's borders, Noah?

    • Leaders drew the borders by power, not language: many German speakers were left outside
    • Austrians refused to be German, since Austria left the Confederation before the empire was formed
    • The empire included each German speaker, since nationalism aimed at that goal and the map reflects it
    • Language was irrelevant to nationalists, since the map shows a border that cuts across language

15. Use this

    Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted. Card C (today): “Proclamation of the German Empire, 1871”. Who made it: historians at the Palace of Versailles. For whom: visitors and readers today. Why: to tell the palace's history. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The palace's account says that Chancellor Bismarck proclaimed the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors on January 18, 1871. It says Bismarck aimed to federate the German states around Prussia, and that Wilhelm was proclaimed emperor. Context (what else was happening): The palace lies in France. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It tells the story from the palace's point of view.

16. 8.

    Prussia annexed Hanover, but the southern rulers agreed to join. What does that suggest about how the empire was built, Pia?

    • By one agreement: the members signed together in 1866 and the empire followed in 1871, in a single treaty
    • By annexation: each state on the second map was taken by Prussia as Hanover was taken, one after another
    • By plebiscite, as in Italy: the states on the map voted to join the empire in 1870, led by their peoples
    • Two ways: Prussia annexed Hanover in 1866, while Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden joined by agreement

17. Use this

    Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted. Card B (today): “Forging an Empire: Bismarckian Germany”. Who made it: a historian writing for the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to introduce Germany under Bismarck. Summary in our words, not a quotation: From 1815 to 1866 the German Confederation was a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. Nationalists wrote about a future Germany, and after 1830 newspapers spread their message. A National Assembly elected in Frankfurt in 1848 lacked the power to impose its decisions. In September 1862 King Wilhelm I appointed Otto von Bismarck. Context (what else was happening): Written today, as an introduction to a set of documents. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It is a short introduction by one historian. Card C (today): “Proclamation of the German Empire, 1871”. Who made it: historians at the Palace of Versailles. For whom: visitors and readers today. Why: to tell the palace's history. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The palace's account says that Chancellor Bismarck proclaimed the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors on January 18, 1871. It says Bismarck aimed to federate the German states around Prussia, and that Wilhelm was proclaimed emperor. Context (what else was happening): The palace lies in France. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It tells the story from the palace's point of view. Card D (invented for this sheet): a student's claim. “The German people made Germany. Nationalist writers spread the idea from 1830, so by 1871 voters had chosen one state.”

18. 9.

    Card D says the German people made Germany and voters chose one state. Ren tests it. Which reply fits cards A to C?

    • Card A refutes it, since rulers decided and so nationalism could not have mattered to anyone
    • Card B shows nationalist writing spreading; no card shows voters choosing, only rulers and wars
    • Card B settles it, since newspapers reached voters from 1830 and so voters must have chosen by 1871
    • Card C supports it, since the proclamation at Versailles shows the nation gathering to choose its state

19. Use this

    Two maps “The German lands, 1815–1866 and 1871”. Map 1 (1815–1866): the German Confederation, a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. It included parts of the Habsburg Empire (Austria) and some, but not all, of Prussia's lands. Map 2 (1871): the German Empire, proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on January 18, 1871, with Prussia's King Wilhelm I as German Emperor. It includes Prussia, Hanover, Saxony, Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Austria is outside it. Many German speakers lived in Austria. Key: dark gray: the kingdom or empire the map is about; light gray: lands outside it; a star: its capital; dashed lines: borders of the older states. Card A (today): “Creation of the German Empire, 1866–1871”. Who made it: historians at the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to show how the German Empire was created. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The war between Austria and Prussia in 1866 left Austria out, and Prussia annexed Hanover and other states. In 1867 the states north of the Main River joined the North German Confederation. Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden resisted Prussian leadership until war with France began in July 1870, and their rulers then agreed to join the empire. Context (what else was happening): Written today, with the empire's later history known. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It records the decisions of rulers and wars, and says little about what ordinary people wanted. Card B (today): “Forging an Empire: Bismarckian Germany”. Who made it: a historian writing for the German Historical Institute, Washington. For whom: students and teachers. Why: to introduce Germany under Bismarck. Summary in our words, not a quotation: From 1815 to 1866 the German Confederation was a loose federation of 39 sovereign states. Nationalists wrote about a future Germany, and after 1830 newspapers spread their message. A National Assembly elected in Frankfurt in 1848 lacked the power to impose its decisions. In September 1862 King Wilhelm I appointed Otto von Bismarck. Context (what else was happening): Written today, as an introduction to a set of documents. Limits (what this source cannot tell us): It is a short introduction by one historian. Card D (invented for this sheet): a student's claim. “The German people made Germany. Nationalist writers spread the idea from 1830, so by 1871 voters had chosen one state.”

20. 10.

    What evidence would let Tala test card D's claim that voters chose one state in 1871?

    • The date of the proclamation, since a claim about voters needs the exact day the empire began
    • More lists of the rulers' agreements, since they would show what the voters thought of them
    • Records of elections or votes on joining the empire, and writings by ordinary people in 1870
    • A later historian's summary of nationalism's success, since it knows how the story ended