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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. -
Economic growth
Inter-state trade barriers removed with the setting up of the “Zollverein”. Austria excluded from this organisation. 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. -
Year of revolutions
Year of Revolutions; failure of liberals' attempt to unite Germany under democratic constitution; start of period of rapid industrialisation. (An attempt to set up a unified Germany failed when the King of Prussia refused to accept the title of German Emperor. Most Germans preferred a loose confederation under the control of the traditionally strongest German power, Austria.) -
Political Crisis
As a result of a political crisis in Prussia over the length of military service, Bismarck was appointed Minister President of Prussia. His main objective was to make Prussia and not Austria the dominant power in Germany. -
Austro prussian invasion
The Austrian-Prussian invasion of Schleswig-Holstein led to the end of Danish control of these provinces. Prussia gained a lot of support especially among German nationalists who wanted to see these provinces come under German control. -
Germany 1866
Relations between Austria and Prussia broke down over the control of Schleswig- Holstein. However the real issue was which of the two powers were going to be the dominant force in Germany. Bismarck provoked quarrels with the Austrians. Bismarck secured Italian support and French neutrality. Prussian troops occupied Holstein and the “Seven Weeks War” broke out between Prussia and Austria. Most of the other German states were deeply suspicious of Prussian militarism and sided with Austria. -
Germany 1870
France was very alarmed at this development and the possibility of a German king of Spain. Prince Leopold declined the offer after considerable French pressure.
Bismarck released a version of the discussions to the press that gave the impression that the French Ambassador had been insulted by the Prussian king, the famous “Ems Telegram”. The French were outraged by the telegram and two days later, declared war on Prussia. -
German Unification
Otto von Bismarck achieves unification of Germany under leadership of Prussia; new German Empire's authoritarian constitution creates elected national parliament (Reichstag) but gives Kaiser (emperor) extensive powers.
