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Defeat of Napolean
After the defeat of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna turned the Germanic states into the German Confederation, under leadership of the Austrian Empire. -
Carlsbad Decrees
These laws were meant to stop any activities supporting a united Germany. Also the year Prussia created a customs union with other Confederation states. -
Creation of the Zollverein
The Prussian union evolved into the Zollverein, including all Confederation states except the Austrian Empire. -
Revolts in Germany
Uprisings in Berlin, Dresden and Frankfurt would end up forcing King Frederick William IV to draft a constitution for the Confederation. -
Frankfurt Parliament
The Frankfurt Parliament was established, and made an attempt to proclaim a new united Germany. This act was quickly denied by King William IV. -
New King of Prussia
King Wilhelm was appointed the new King of Prussia and would appoint Otto von Bismarck as the Minister President and Foreign Minister a year later. Bismarck favored a united Germany under Prussian leadership. -
Danish-Prussian War
Denmark and Prussia go to war, and the Austrian Empire ended up drawn into it by Otto von Bismarck. -
Accusations against Austria
Bismarck accused the Austrians of starting trouble in Prussian territory. After the war, the Treaty of Prague dissolved the German Confederation and Prussia created the North German Confederation including all Germanic states excluding Bavaria, Baden, and Württemberg. -
France Declares War on Prussia
After Napoleon III demanded territory from the Rhineland in return for peace, Bismarck used this opportunity to incorporate the southern kingdoms. Napoleon then declared war on Prussia. -
Germany United
By the end of the Franco-Prussian war, Prussia had captured Paris. After the war, the final three southern kingdoms were included into the North German Confederation. Bismarck then made King Wilhelm I the new leader of a united Germany.