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Napoleon Invades German Lands
Napoleon leads his french army in an invasion of small German empires -
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Congress of Vienna
The congress of Vienna was a confrence of European embassadors chaired by Austria to discuss Political topics involving Europe. -
Otto Von Bismark born
The, "Iron Ruler" of prussia, and the lead contributing factor to the unification of Germany is born. -
House of Krupp
The Krupp family, a prominent 400-year-old German dynasty from Essen, have become famous for their steel production and for their manufacture of ammunition and armaments. The family business, known as Friedrich Krupp AG, was the largest company in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1999 it merged with Thyssen AG to form ThyssenKrupp AG, a large industrial conglomerate. -
Zollverein
The Zollverein, or German Customs Union, was a coalition of German states formed to manage tariffs and economic policies within their territories. -
Frankfurt Assembly Demands Unity
In Heidelberg, in the state of Baden (southwest Germany), on March 6, 1848, a group of German liberals began to make plans for an election to a German national assembly. This prototype Parliament met on March 31, in Frankfurt's St. Paul's Church. Its members called for free elections to an assembly for all of Germany - and the German states agreed. -
Frederick William offered the throne.
Frederick william IV rejected an invitation to rule Germany, Offered to him by German Parliament. -
Bismark becomes Prime Minister
As Minister President of Prussia 1862–90, Bismarck provoked wars that made Prussia dominant over Austria and France, and lined up the smaller German states behind Prussia. -
"Blood And Iron" Speech
Bismark Gives his famous "Blood And Iron" speech about the unification of Germany, And the German Confederation. -
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Bismark Reigns
As Minister President of Prussia 1862–90, Bismarck provoked wars that made Prussia dominant over Austria and France, and lined up the smaller German states behind Prussia. In 1867 he also became Chancellor of the North German Confederation. -
Defeat of Denmark
With support from Austria, he issued an ultimatum for Christian IX to return Schleswig to its former status. When Denmark refused, Austria and Prussia invaded, commencing the Second war of Schleswig and Denmark was forced to cede both duchies. -
Bismark Defeats Austria
With the aid of Albrecht von Roon's army reorganization, the Prussian army was nearly equal in numbers to the Austrian army. With the organizational genius of Helmuth von Moltke the Elder, the Prussian army fought battles it was able to win. Bismarck had also made a secret alliance with Italy, who desired Austrian-controlled Venetia. Italy's entry into the war forced the Austrians to divide their forces. -
Bismark Becomes Chancelor
Otto Von Bismark became Chancellor of the North German Confederation. Otto von Bismarck became the first Chancellor of a united Germany after the 1871 Treaty of Versailles and largely controlled its affairs until he was removed by Kaiser (Emperor) Wilhelm II in 1890. -
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Franco - Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War, often referred to in France as the War of 1870 was a significant conflict pitting the Second French Empire against the Kingdom of Prussia and its allies in the North German Confederation, as well as the South German states of Baden, Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse-Darmstadt. -
Wilhelm I of Prussia
William I, also known as Wilhelm I of the House of Hohenzollern was the King of Prussia and the first German Emperor . Under the leadership of William and his Minister President Otto von Bismarck, Prussia achieved the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire. -
Second Reich Created
The German Empire is the common name given to the state officially named German Reich designating Germany from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II. -
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Population Growth
The population of Munich was only 24,000 in 1700, but it doubled every 30 years, and in 1852 the population exceeded 100,000, qualifying it a big city (Großstadt) by German administrative standards. By 1883, Munich had a population of 250,000; this doubled to 500,000 in 1901, making Munich the third largest city in the Deutsches Reich after Berlin and Hamburg. -
German Constitution Formed
The Empire's constitution was based on two houses of Parliament, the Bundesrat and the Reichstag. There was universal male suffrage for the Reichstag, however legislation would have to pass both houses. The Bundesrat contained representatives of the states, in which the voting system was based on classes and wealth. This meant that wealthier classes always had a veto over any legislation.
