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Creation of the German Confederation
In 1806, Napoleon dissolved the Holy Roman Empire and created the German confederation. The confederation consisted of about 30 Germanic States ruled by Napoleon's Brothers and family. -
New Kaiser rose to the throne in Prussia
Kaiser William I rose to the throne in 1852 and went on to appoint Otto Von Bismarck as Chancellor (1862) due to political divide -
Iron and Blood
Newly appointed Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck enlisted nationalism in order to destroy liberal discontent as well rouse the public in support of Prussia's power rather than Liberalism. -
Danish War
Fought on the pretense of liberating pockets of ethnic germans under Danish control the war strengthened Bismarck’s hand. -
Schleswig-Holstein Compromise
Compromise between Austria and Prussia that Holstein would be controlled by Austria and Schleswig would be controlled by Prussia with joint sovereignty. -
Kleindeutschland
Otto Von Bismarck favored the Kleindeutschland, idea created at the Frankfurt Assembly in 1848, in the unification of Germany which did not include Austria and following the Seven Week War Prussia decisively won at Koniggratz -
North German Confederation
Following Austria's defeat at Koniggratz, Otto Von Bismarck led the Prussian annexation of several small kingdoms further unifying northern Germany -
Franco-Prussian War
Using dispute over the spanish crown as an opportunity to attack France, Bismarck and Prussia Easily beat France using novel technology in order to unite Germany under one common Banner -
Declaration of the German Empire
In the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles Germany declared itself an empire