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Bismarck's Rise to Power
Otto von Bismarck was appointed to head of Prussian cabinet when William I became king of Prussia. Bismarck opposed democracy and went against the constitution. In three wars he accomplished two objectives; to drive Austria from it position in the German confederation and for Prussia to overcome Austria's influence over the sourthern German states. -
The Danish War
Austria and Prussia demanded that the Danish constitution be withdrew. When Denmark refused they declared war, surrendering 3 months later. The peace treaty gave the duchies to Austria and Prussia. -
The Seven Weeks War
Bismarck provoked Austria into Austria into declaring war on Prussia over the continuing Schleswig and Holstein quarrel. Prussians moved by trains, communicated through telegraph, and used modern weapons;taking full advantage of technology. The war was eneded by the Treaty of Prague. -
The Franco-Prussian War
Bismarck edited a telegram that King William I gave to him to anger the French so that they would declare war on Prussia. The southern German states united against the French threat. By the end, much of France was occupied by German troops. France lost Alsace and part of Lorriane , and had to pay alarge indemnity. -
Formation of the German Empire
Represantives of the allied German States met in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles on January 18, 1871. They declared the formation of the German Empire. The Prussian Capital of Berlin became the empires capital.Bismarck accepted a constitution that united the 25 German states in a federal form of government.
