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First phase (1864)
A succession problem in two duchies under the authority of Denmark, but with a majority of German population, allowed Prussia to invade and annex these territories in 1864. -
Second phase (1866-1869)
Prussia faced Austria, the other great German state. Taking advantage of the fact that Austria was immense in the rebellion of the Italian states under his rule, Bismarck promoted the invasion of the Austrian duchy of Holstein by Prussia. The Austrian defeat at the Battle of Sadowa in 1866 resulted in the annexation and creation of the North German Confederation. -
Third phase (1870)
Bismarck signed a military alliance with the southern German states. France opposed its annexation to Prussia, as a unified Germany would be dangerous for her. To achieve the annexation of the southern German states, Bismarck provoked the outbreak of a war with France. Napoleon III was defeated by the Prussians at the Battle of Sedan in 1870 and surrendered in 1871. That same year France had to cede Alsace and Lorraine to Germany. The southern states joined the rest of Germany. -
Third phase 1871
The unification of the German territories led to the proclamation of the Second German Empire or Second Reich in 1871, and William I was crowned emperor.
The new country, ruled by Chancellor Bismarck, experienced remarkable economic growth and a great development of its military capabilities, and became one of the major European powers until the First World War.
