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Period: to
German Imperialism
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German Confederation
In 1815, the Congress of Vienna created the German Confederation, which was a group of states that included Prussia. It granted Prussia important territories in Saxony and along the lower Rhine River. Prussia took in these lands into its efficient government and strong economy. Later on, each state began to act independently, causing uprisings to break out in France. The National Assembly drafted a constitution that provided a hereditary monarchy and no longer the German Confederation. -
The Danish War
In 1863, King Christian IX became the king of Denmark. He proclaimed a new constitution that Prussia nor Austria favored. Denmark refused to revoke it and Austria & Prussia declared war on Denmark. In 1864, Denmark surrendered due to no help from Great Britian nor France. The treaty gave two duchies to Prussia and Austria, in which they argued over who should take full control of them. In the end, Prussia gained control of Schleswig. -
Seven Weeks' War
Bismarck convinced Austria to declare war on Prussia in 1866. Prussia's efficient use of technology helped defeat the Austrians in only seven weeks. The Treaty of Prague ended the war later on in the year, giving Holstein to Prussia. It also dissolved the German Confederation into the North German Confederation due to the unification of several north German states. Prussia dominated the legislature of the Confederation because it was the largest and most powerful state. -
Franco-Prussian War
The transitroy Franco-Prussian War began when Bismarck recieved a telegram from King William. He altered it in order for it to sound as if the king insulted the French Ambassador. The French were enraged and declared war on Prussia in 1870. Napoleon III eventually surrendered and his government fell. A treaty was created, stating that Prussia gained Alsace and part of Lorraine. -
Imperialism in Africa
Germany had a desire of colonizing and imperialising in Africa so they did so in German Southwest/East Africa, the Camaroons, and Togo. The desire arose from their influence from Britain and France, who both had empires in Africa. Germany also believed that with such colonies, it would expand into the dominant empires the British and French had. Also, Germany gained trade routes due to the treates made between the Africans and Germans. -
William II
After resigning Bismarck, William II was able to pursue his own policies. He set out to expand German influence in the world and during his reign, he helped Germany become a leading industrial and military power. William also increased the size and strength of the German army and expanded its navy. He signed multiple new agreements with neighbouring nations, making Germany stronger than ever before. Even though this was beneficial to Germany, it caused conflict with Great Britian to arise. -
German East Africa Company
The wealth that could be produced due to colonies within Africa influenced Germany to create the German East Africa Company. With this company, Germany used the native people, the natural resources and consumers in the continent in order to make money. Mining took place in all three countries the German East African Company occupied. In addition, they were building roads and railways by felling trees to connect the three countries where their company was operating. -
Anglo-German Swap
The Hegiloland-Zanzibar Treaty of 1890 was a treaty between the British and Germans. Due to the treaty, Germany recieved the small yet strategic island of Hegiloland. The British gained the Zanzibar region in Africa, which allowed a key link to British control in East Africa. In addition, the treaty established a German sphere of interest in German South-West Africa (presendt day Nabimia). Lastly, the Anglo-German Treaty setttled the borders betwwen German Togoland and British Gold Coast. -
Berlin-Baghdad Railroad
Also known as the Baghdad Railway, this railroad was created in order for the city of Berlin to be connected to the Ottoman Empire city of Baghdad. The Germans used this railway in order to establish a port in the Persian Gulf. It was beneficial to German economic interests yet threatening towards British economic dominance. The railroad also threatened Russia because it was said that German economic influence would spread to the Caucasian frontier where Russia had power. -
Western Samoa
In the late 1800s, Great Britain, United States, and Germany fought over who should have full possession of the Samoa Islands. Because of the Boer War and how preocuppied it was with it, Britain withdrew its interests in the islands, The United States took over Tutuila and six other islands, which became American Samoa. Germany recieved all the other islands, eventually known as Western Samoa.
