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German Confederation
Creation of the German Confederation under the presidency of Austria. Prussia and Austria were the two most powerful German states. Traditionally Austria was recognised as the most important. There was a strong popular movement for unification but neither Austria nor Prussia was prepared to allow it happen. -
Zollverein
Customs unions that removed tariffs on products traded between German states. (Inter-state trade barriers) This economic agreement helped to increase the momentum towards unification. Railways brought the German states within hours of one another and economic development made Germany one of the leading industrial powers of the time. -
Revolution of 1848
Liberal revolution. Desire for German unification grows. The "March Revolution" in the German states took place in the south and the west of Germany. Led by well-educated students and intellectuals, they demanded German national unity, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. -
Otto von Bismarck
- Bismarck becomes prime minister and begins administering a policy based on realpolitik. (1862–90)
- Bismarck was a conservative German statesman who dominated European affairs from the 1860s to his dismissal in 1890.
- His goal was to unify all of the German states into one super-power.
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The Danish War
- Conflict over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein
- First step in the Unification of Germany
- On 1 February 1864, the Austrian and Prussian armies invaded Denmark. It lasts only three months.
- Denmark gives up Schlesewig and Holstein,
- Prussia gets Schlesewig and Austria gets Holstein.
- Increases National pride amongs Prussians
- Support for Prussia as a head of new government increases.
- Sets the stage for conflict between Prussia and Austria.
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Austrian-Prussian War
Also knows as, "The 7 week war" because the war lasted only 7 weeks and resulted in Prussian victory over the Austrians. War in 1866 between the German Confederation under the leadership of the Austrian Empire and its German allies on one side and the Kingdom of Prussia with its German allies and Italy on the other, that resulted in Prussian dominance over the German states. The major result of the war was a shift in power among the German states away from Austrian and towards hegemony. -
King of Prussia was crowned German Emperor - William I
The King of Prussia was crowned the German Emperor in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, outside Paris. German unification was now complete. Paris was captured eight days later. Over 40,000 people died during the siege. -
The Franco-Prussian War.
-A conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia.- Bismarck used the outburst of patriotism caused by the war to complete German unity as the southern states joined the war against France. Most of Europe expected the French to win. However the Prussian troops were superbly led by General von Moltke, and possessed superior artillery.
