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Otto von Bismarck
WIlliam I became the king of Prussia in 1861 as Otto von Bismarck wanted. One of Bismarcks goals was German unification. King William made him prime minister and secretary of foreign affairs for Prussia. He wanted for Prussia to dominate Germany. -
Seven Weeks' War
Bismarck thought military force would solve everything. After Prussia and Austria fought against Denmark and won, they wanted to settle what they should do with Schleswig and Holstein. So they fought a war against eachother and Prussia annexed the two provinces. -
North German Confederation
Bismarck set up the North German Confederation for a plan to create a new German union. With the 21 other German states, they knew the unification of Germany would be successful with Prussia and Bismarck as leader. Prussia led the confederation in internal and foreign affairs. -
Franco-Prussian War
Catholic German states helped Prussia defeat French armies. The catholic states joined with the confederation and the German Empire was created. William I became emperor and German unification was complete.
