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Congress of Vienna and German Confederation
From September of 1814 to June of 1815, the Congress of Vienna met. On June 9, 1815, they signed the Final Act. In this, the German Confederation was formed. It was headed by Austria. Unfortunately, the alliance was weak. -
Fall of Napoleon
British and Prussian forces defeated Napoleon's army at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium. Before, he had had the German states united under French rule as the Rhine Confederation. In November of 1813, the German states declared themselves independent again, but they still had a lot of similar aspects in their cultures. -
Rise of Bismarck
Originally a diplomat, Otto von Bismarck was appointed prime minister by King William I. He later became chancellor, using his "blood and iron" policy to unify the German states under Prussian rule. Bismarck mastered Realpolitik. In this, he unified them by appealing to the needs of the state. Next, he strengthened Prussia's Army. -
Bismarck's Steps to unify Germany
Otto von Bismarck mastered Realpolitik in which power was more important than principles. Bismarck also strengthened the Prussian army. With a powerful, well equipped military, Bismarck was ready to pursue an aggressive foreign policy. Also, Bismarck used his policy of "blood and iron". -
Prussia's Alliance with Austria against Denmark
Bismarck formed an alliance to increase Prussia's prestige and power. Prussia then formed an alliance with Austria. Prussia and Austria then invaded Denmark and liberated the two provinces and divided up the spoils. -
Prussia Attacks Austria
IN 1866, Prussia needed an excuse to attack Austria. The war lasted for seven weeks. In the end, Prussia won the war. Because Prussia won, it took control of severasl other north German states. -
France Declares War on Prussia
When Prussia beat Austria in the Austro-Prussian war, Napoleon III was angered. France and Prussia had a growing rivalry and that is what led to the Franco-Prussian War. Bismarck rewrote and released a telegram that reported a meeting between King William I and the French ambassador. Prussia crushed France and Napoleon III, weak and ill, surrendered within a few weeks. -
Birth of the Second Reich
Because of the victory over France, princes from the German states and the North German Confederation persuaded William I of Prussia to take the title of emperor. The German nationalists called it the second Reich because they considered it heir to the Holy Roman Empire. A constittuion would later be drafted. -
A Constitution is Drafted by Bismarck
The Constitution set up a two-house legislature.The upper house was appointed by the rulers of the German states.The lower house was elected by mae voters. The upper house could veto any decisions by the lower house, so the real power remained in the hands of the emperor and his chancellor.
