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Nationalism
Nationalism rises in Germany. "An appeal to fear never finds an echo in German hearts."
- Otto Von Bismarck -
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire of the German nation, which had included more than 300 independent states, was effectively dissovled when Emperor Francis II renounced his throne during the war of The Third Coalition. -
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Impact of Napolean III
Napolean III joined lands along the Rhine River for France, dissolved the Holy Roman Empire and organized the number of German states into the Rhine Confederation, -
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Post Napoleonic War
After the Napoleonic Wars, Austria had dominated most of Central Europe. The negotiators at Vienna took no account of Russia's growing strength within the German states, and thus failed to foresee that Prussia would challenge Austria for leadership within the states. There were 2 solutions: 1) Germany without Austria. 2) Germany with Austria. -
The Zollveriein
Prussia created an economic union called The Zollveriein which demolished tariff barriers between many German states, but Germany remained politically unfinished. -
Demand of Unity
Liberals demanded German political unity at the Franfurt Assembly. Prussian king, Frederick William IV, was offered the throne of a united German state but rejected the notion. "Not by speeches and votes of the majority, are the great questions of the time decided — that was the error of 1848 and 1849 — but by iron and blood.”- Otto Von Bismarck
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New Chancellor
Otto Von Bismarck, originally from Prussia's Junker Class, was made Prime Minister by King William I. He was a man of power, not principle. He united the German states under Prussian rule. "The main thing is to make history, not write it."
- Otto Von Bismarck -
Alliance with Austria
The death without male heirs of Frederick VII of Denmark led to the Second War of Schleswig. Bismarck formed an alliance with Austria and liberated the recently seized provinces of Schleswig and Holstein from Denmark. “When you say you agree to a thing in principle you mean that you have not the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice.”
- Otto Von Bismarck -
Bismarck Strikes
Prussia and Austria initially tried a joint rule of the duchies but this fell apart by deliberate design of Bismarck who had ordered the annexation of Kiel. -
Austro-Prussian War
Bismarck attacked Austria in the Austro-Prussian war which lasted a mere 7 weeks and ended with a Prussian victory. This resulted in several north German states to be joined with Prussia. Bismarck created a new confederation dominated by Prussia. "Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war."
- Otto Von Bismarck -
Fanco- Prussian War
A growing rivalry between France and Prussia led to the Frabco- Prussian war. Bismarck played up the image of the French menace to spur German nationalism. Napoleon III declared war on Prussia, just as Bismarck had planned. The well organized Prussian force dominated the weak and poorly supplied French. France was then forced to surrender within a few weeks. "It is destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong."
- Otto Von BIsmarck -
Alsace-Lorraine
France lost this Franco-Prussian War. Alsace-Lorraine was transferred to Germany in the peace settlement, allowing Prussia to declare the German Empire, or Second Reich, on January 21, 1871. -
Germany Finally Unified!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The southern German states and the north German Confederation persuaded William I of Prussia to become Kaiser. He was crowned Emperor in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. German nationalists celebrated the Second Reich.
