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german confederation
Created by the congress of vienna to destroy the goverments of the german states. When these governments were destroyed germany would be unified. The Congress of Vienna was made up of leaders from Britain, Austria, Prussia, and other countries. -
Bismarck's rise to power
King William I made him prime minister. Less than a decade later he was named chancellor. Most of his power came from a strong will. He was a the best at Realpolitik in Prussia. -
The Danish War
Bismarck forms an alliance with Austria. They both had a common enemy which was Denmark. Prussia and Austria then conquered Schleswig and Holstein. Prussia recieved Schleswig. Austria recieved Holstein. -
The Seven Weeks War
Bismarck created an excuse to attack Austria. He wanted more territory from Austria. Bismarck then conquered several German states. Bismarck demolished the Austrian led German Confederation. He then created a new Confederation dominated by Prussia. -
Franco - Prussian War
Prussian victory over Austria angered Napoleon III. Bismarck made Napoleon even angrier by changing a telegram. The telegram made William I look like he made fun of some Frenchmen. Napoleon III was so angry that he declared war on Prussia. The result was the Prussian army with the help of other German states massacred the French army. -
Formation of the German Empire
Happy with the victory over France, princes from Southern German states and Northern German confederation convinced William I to be Kaiser or Emperor. Bismarck set up a two-house legislature which created the constitution. Bundesrat was the upper house and Reichstag was the lower house.