Analyzing primary sources about nationalism and unification

"Fortune who betrays us today, will smile on us tomorrow. I am going out from Rome. Let those who wish to continue the war against the stranger, come with me. I offer neither pay, nor quarters, nor provisions; I offer hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles and death. Let him who loves his country in his heart, and not with his lips only, follow me."

The quote from Garibaldi suggests that nationalism is closely tied to what other characteristic? 

• good fortune

• love of country

• religious devotion

• desire for comfort

"Therefore, if we so ardently desire the emancipation of Italy - if we declare that in the face of this great question all the petty questions that divide us must be silenced - it is not only that we may see our country glorious and powerful but that above all we may elevate her in intelligence and moral development up to the plane of the most civilized nations. . . . Nationalism has become general; it grows daily; and it has already grown strong enough to keep all parts of Italy united despite the differences that distinguish them."

According to the passage, what were Cavour’s motivations for unification? Check three that apply.

• He was petty.

• He wanted to bring glory and power to Italy.

• He hoped to increase Italy’s power.

• He sought to advance Italian civilization.

• He wanted to silence his critics.

"WHERE is the German's fatherland? The Prussian land? The Swabian land? Where Rhine the vine-clad mountain laves? Where skims the gull the Baltic waves? Ah, no, no, no! His fatherland's not bounded so! Where is the German's fatherland? Bavarian land? or Stygian land? Where sturdy peasants plough the plain? Where mountain-sons bright metal gain? Ah, no, no, no! His fatherland's not bounded so! Where is the German's fatherland? Then name, oh, name the mighty land! Wherever is heard the German tongue, And German hymns to God are sung! This is the land, thy Hermann's land; This, German, is thy fatherland"

Background information: German Ernst Arndt wrote this poem in 1813. In it, he refers to different geographical areas, such as Swabia in southeastern Germany.

According to the poet, what defines Germany as a nation?

• wherever the Rhine River flows

• the areas of Prussia, Swabia, and Bavaria

• wherever German peasants work the land

• wherever German is spoken and German culture is practiced

"Because of the policy of Vienna [the Congress of Vienna, 1815], Germany is clearly too small for us both [Prussia and Austria]; as long as an honorable arrangement concerning the influence of each in Germany cannot be concluded and carried out, we will both plough the same disputed acre, and Austria will remain the only state to whom we can permanently lose or from whom we can permanently gain. . . . I wish only to express my conviction that, in the not too distant future, we shall have to fight for our existence against Austria and that it is not within our power to avoid that, since the course of events in Germany has no other solution."

Who does Bismarck blame for Prussia's lack of influence and power?

• Germany

• France

• Austria

• Britain

"I wish only to express my conviction that, in the not too distant future, we shall have to fight for our existence against Austria and that it is not within our power to avoid that, since the course of events in Germany has no other solution."

Now take a closer look at the last part of the passage that you just read. This will help you identify Bismarck’s main argument.

What is the main argument that Bismarck is making in this passage?

• Prussia must be prepared to eventually go to war with Austria.

• Prussia and Austria are allies, so war is not a possibility.

• Austria is committed to avoiding war with Prussia.

• War with Austria may come, but it won’t happen for a long time.

"Because of the policy of Vienna [the Congress of Vienna, 1815], Germany is clearly too small for us both [Prussia and Austria]; as long as an honorable arrangement concerning the influence of each in Germany cannot be concluded and carried out, we will both plough the same disputed acre, and Austria will remain the only state to whom we can permanently lose or from whom we can permanently gain. . . . I wish only to express my conviction that, in the not too distant future, we shall have to fight for our existence against Austria and that it is not within our power to avoid that, since the course of events in Germany has no other solution."

Based on the information in the letter, what can you infer Bismarck’s primary motivation for unification is? 

• a higher standard of living for its people

• more land for growing food

• unification of Prussia and Austria

• safety and security

What does this political cartoon suggest about how Germany achieved unification?

• Otto von Bismarck was a puppet of Wilhelm I and did everything he was told.

• Otto von Bismarck was the mastermind behind the creation of the German Empire.

• Wilhelm I was a powerful and unifying force around whom all of Germany rallied.

• Bismarck and Wilhelm I convinced German states to unify in a parliament meeting.