-
Period: to
Timespan of German Unification
-
Creation of the Zollverein
Secondary SourceThe Zollverein was a union created by the treaties of German states. The Zollverein had a positive impact because it was a major factor leading to the unification of the German economy. The treaties of the union helped spread industrialization through the German states by establishing systems of currency, measures, and weights. This led to strong relationships between the many German states. -
German Revolts
These revolts had a positive effect towards German unification because they assisted in spreading German nationalism. They also helped in paving the way for the three major wars that Germany would later fight in. -
The Appointment of Bismarck
[Secondary Source](<a href='http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=35&sid=8ef8eaa3-c44e-40b2-ade0-29892304cb78@sessionmgr115&hid=11&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmU=#db=khh&AN=4458052) In the mid-1800s Otto von Bismarck was appointed to the head of the Prussian cabinet by King William I. Bismarck made many advancements as the cabinet head that led to the unification of Germany. These advancements included strengthening the Prussian army and ensuring that Prussian would be the driving force of uniting Germany. -
Bismarck Ignores Parliament
Primary SourceIn an attempt to strengthen the central authority and military, Bismarck opposed the Prussian Parliament and caused a negative effect in German unification. Bismarck wanted to create a military exspansion program, however, the Parliament would not give him the money he needed. When he was denied the funds, Bismarck collected his own taxes and broke the constitution. This infuriated the liberals and caused tension among the groups that were trying to be unified. -
Danish War
[Secondary Source](<a href='http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=50&sid=8ef8eaa3-c44e-40b2-ade0-29892304cb78@sessionmgr115&hid=125&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmU=#db=khh&AN=39006635') When a new king came to the Danish throne, he created a new constitution in which he annexed the states of Schlewig and Holstein. Austria and Prussia were not happy with this decision and demanded that it be changed; when it was not, they formed an alliance and declared war. This war lasted a short time. However, it had a negative effect on German unification because it did not unify the existing German states. The war resulted in an addition to the ununified German states. -
The Seven Weeks' War
Secondary SourceBismarck wanted to get rid of Austira to ensure that the German states would join Prussia in German unification. The Seven Weeks' War made advancements on this plan and had a positive effect on German unification. Several states united with Prussia and formed a confederation which was dominated by Prussian influence. After the Seven Weeks' War, only three German states were standing in the way of Germany being unified. -
Franco Prussian War
Primary Source After being so close to uniting Germany, Bismarck decided that the best way to get the southern states to join in was to provoke a war with France. This opportunity came when he was able to alter the Ems telegram. Once in battle with France, the southern German states joined the rest of Germany in the impending threat from outside the country. This had a positive affect towards German unification because it finally brought Germany into union with the southern states. -
German Empire
Representatives from the German states met in France and declared the creation of the German empire. King William I of Prussia beame the kaiser and appointed Otto von Bismarck as the chancellor. The creation of the German empire had a positive affect on German unification. Finally, after a long and difficult battle, Germany was unified as one and Otto von Bismarck had achieved his goal of unifiying the German states. -
Creation of German Constitution
After the creation of the empire, a constitution that unified the states in a federal government was created to control it. This constitution gave the different states minimal control over things such as law enforcement, education, and taxation. The two house legislature had little power in the empire which made it almost impossible for the legislative to affect any liberal changes. This had a negative effect on German unification because Prussia had a ton of influence due to the constitution. -
Kaiser Recieves Emense Power
Primary SourceWhen the German Empire was formed, William I became the kaiser of the new empire. As the kaiser, William had extreme power and influence; he was able to command the army, command the navy, and declare war. Most imporatantly, he appointed a person to the position of chancellor. Otto von Bismarck was appointed chancellor by the kaiser, and this had a negative effect because he was very power hungry and a strict believer in absolutism. This led to discord and fighting over German government.
