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Napoleon Raids German Lands
Napoleon annexed lands along the Rhine River. He made Austria less of a threat by dissolving the Holy Roman Empire. He freed serfs, made trade easier, and abolished anti-Semitist laws. His fall led to the weak alliance of Germany -
Bismmarck Unites Germany
Otto von Bismarck, from the conservative nobles, served Prussia as a diplomat. King William 1 made him prime minister, and he became a chancellor. He use "blood and iron" to unite Germany. -
Prussia declares war with Denmark and Austria
Prussia and Austria were allies against Denmark, conuering and splitting 2 provinces. Then, Bismarck invented an excuse and declared war on Austria. The seven week war ended in Prussian success and the dissolution of the Austrian-led German confederation. -
France Declares War with Prussia
Napoleon III was angry with the Prussians over the defeat of Austria. Bismarck released a telegram insulting France, although it was really King William I behind it. Napoleion III declared war on Prussia, just as Bismarck hoped, ending in Prussian success -
German Empire is Born
German Nationalists declared the new empire the second Reich, because it was considered the heir to the Holy Roman Empire. A 2 house legislature was set up. However, the emperor and chacellor had the real power, because they, along with the upper class, could veto.
