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Creation of German Confederation
During the Congress of Vienna, Austria created an alliance called the German Confederation. They made the German Confederation because Metternich wanted to unify the German states. However, it would be required to dismantle the governments of each individual state. Instead, the German Confederation was made into an alliance to preserve the unity of the German states. -
Bismarck's Rise to Power
Otto Von Bismarck had come from Prussia's Junker class, therefore he was always somewhat loyal to Prussia. In 1862 he became the prime minister of Prussia. He would later rise up in power to become the chancellor; which is the highest official of a monarch. His main goal was to unite German states under Prussian rule. -
First War of Unification
Austria and Prussia had control of Denmark provinces known as Holstein and Schleswig. Prussia controlled Schleswig and Austria controlled Holstein. In the Austro-Prussian war, Austria and Prussia fought for control of both provinces. After seven weeks, Austria had been defeated -
Second War of Unification
After the Austro-Prussian war, Prussia had defeated Austria. They had gained the two Denmark provinces of Holstein and Schleswig. Those lands and several other north German states were annexed by Prussia. -
Third War of Unification
Also known as the Franco-Prussian war, the earlier defeat of Austria had angered the French and led them to attack Prussia. Bismarck had hoped that this would happen and crushed the French army when it came. After this victory, Germany became unified as an empire. -
Formation of the German Empire
After the victory of France, William I of Prussia took the title of kaiser, or emperor. With his crowning as emperor, Germany entered a second Reich, or empire. Bismarck set up a constitution with a two-house legislature. The two houses consisted of The Bundesrat, upper class, and the Reichstag, lower class.
