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House of Krupp
The House of Krupp were steel and munitions manufacturers. They played big parts in the unification of Germany by providing firearms for German troops in their wars. -
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Economic Development
Germany used to rely heavily on rural activity. By 1800 they then had modernization and rapid growth of the economy. By 1900 it was the largest economy in Europe. -
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Napoleon's Invasion of Germany
A series of wars between Napoleon and European powers, this produced a French hegemony over most of Europe. The revolutionary wars were fought to influence others to revolt from their monarchies. -
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Congress of Vienna
After the Napoleonic Wras, the Congress of Vienna began in September 1814 and ended June 1815. Its purpose was to reorganize Europe, meaning it divided the lands Napoleon conquered (Germany) and they gave that land to different nations. -
Otto von Bismarck's Birthday
He was born from a family of fifth-generation Prussian landowning nobles. He was born in Schönhausen, the Kingdom of Prussia. -
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The Zollverein
The Zollverein was an economic union in Germany that dismantled tariff barriers in the German states. They took off the tax for trade in Germany. -
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Frankfurt Assembly demands Unity
The Parliament of Germany tried and failed to create a united German state during the liberal Revolution of 1848. The constitution they made fulfilled the main demands of the liberal and national movements. -
Frederick William IV is Offered the Throne
Frederick William IV was offered the throne in 1849 by the Frankfurt Assembly but he refused the title because he said he had no wish to pick the crown from the gutter. -
Blood and Iron Speech
Bismarck's famous "Blood and Iron" speech called for a nation state dominated by Prussia, and it rejected demands for liberal reforms. This speech is a great example of persuasion and inspiration to the audience showing he is a natural leader and motivator. -
Bismarck Declares War on Denmark
Liberals always wanted Schleswig and Holstein from Denmark. Bismarck declares war with Austria, and Denmark, with no military power, was easily defeated. The treaty of Gastein was composed to divide Schleswig and Holstein between Austrian and Prussian forces. -
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Bismarck Declares War on Austria
Known as the Seven Weeks War, it was a war taht was fought between Austrian Empire and its German allies on one side and the Kingdom of Prussia with their German and Italian allies. The Prussians won after 7 weeks. -
Constitution Drafted by Bismarck
This was written by Bismarck, and the highest order of the confederation was the Bundersat, or Federal Council. It was represented by the north German states. It was accepted by April 16, 1871. -
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Franco-Prussian War
Bismarck 'rewrote' a meeting between William of Prussia and a French foreign minister, and made it seem the Prussian insulted the Frenchman. Outraged, Napoleon III declared war on Prussia, and France lost, demolished by superior numbers and better training and leadership. -
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Bismarck becomes Chancellor
Bismarck essentially ruled a unified Germany, transforming the nation into an idustrialized society. He was opposed to the Catholic Church, and led a campaign know as the kulturkampf against it that was not entirely successful. -
Bismarck Becomes Chancellor
He directed his foreign policy at maintainimg and strengthening the German Empire. He isolated France diplomatically. -
Second Reich is Created
The King of Prussia held presidency over the German Realm. This rose because of Otto von Bismarck and his mastery of Realpolitik. -
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The Kulturkampf
Bismarck refers to policies of the state being seperarted from religion, reducing the power of the Roman Catholic Church. It was not entirely successful. -
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Population Growth
The population of Germany was rapidly increasing. From 1871, there was 41 million people living in Germany. At 1914, however, there was now 67 million people living in Germany. -
Campaigns Against the Socialists
Bismarck made restrictions to the press to reduce the influence of socialism. A newly elected house abolsihed any social associations, meetings, and newspapers. -
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William II becomes the Kaiser
After dismissing Bismarck in 2890, William II launched New courses in foreign affairs that culminated his support for Austria-Hungary. -
William I of Prussia Becomes Emporer
After recieving Napoleon III's defeat in 1888, William I became emporer of Germany at the Hall of mirrors in Versailles. In a peace treaty, -
Bismarck Resigns
William II removed Bismarck from office. Bismarck, before his dismissal, ruled through a strong, well-trained bureacracy with power in the hands of a traditional Junker elite that comprised nobility of the east.