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Congress of Vienna
Secondary SourceIn 1815, the Congress of Vienna gave Prussia two thirds of Saxony. The Congress of Vienna changed the Confederation of the Rhine to the German Confederation. It chose Prussia and Austria to look over it. This event was the preparation for Prussia to start unifying the German states. This was a positive effect for Prussia because these things were preparing Prussia for the unification of Germany. -
Zollverein
Secondary SourceThe Zollverein was a customs union that abolished taxes. This customs union made things better for the German states and Prussia. This lessen the people's anger because they did not have to pay huge taxes on goods. The Zollverein was beneficial to many people. This allowed industrialization to spread in the German states. This is a positive effect because it was an important step in unifying the German states because it involved the economy. -
Revolution of 1848
PictureIn 1848, a revolution broke out in the German states. People wanted changes and caused trouble and riots in the streets. This revolution happened from the influence in other countries such as France. This revolution was about nationalism and the people wanted a unified Germany. This led to a series of events after the revolution. This was a positive effect because the revolution led to other events that will unify the German states. -
Otto von Bismarck
Secondary SourceOtto von Bismarck was appointed to head the Prussian cabinet. He was the guy who pursued his goal, which was to unify the German states. He did whatever he could to reach his goal. He made the Prussian army so powerful that they defeated Austria in seven weeks. He was clever and persuasive in unifying the German states. This is a positive effect because he was the main guy who made this happen. -
Danish War
PictureThe Danish War of 1864 involved Austria and Prussia fighting Denmark. The war was caused when the King Christian IX was about to annex Schleswig to Denmark. Austria and Prussia hated this and declared war on Denmark. This war was a positive effect of the unification of Germany because Prussia gained land to add to the German Confederation. This is a positive effect because Prussia gained support from Schleswig and got new land. -
Treaty of Prague
Primary SourceThe Treaty of Prague ended the war between Prussia and Austria. This treaty explains the terms that Austria has to agree to. Austria had to pay Prussia a lot of money. Austria had to give up land. Austria lost a lot of things. This was a positive effect because the treaty gave Prussia important pieces of land and Austria was no longer in Prussia's way to unify the German states. This is a positive effect because Prussia was one step closer in achieving its goal without Austria's interference. -
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The Franco-Prussian War
Picture The woman,represents southeren German states, is closer to the man on the left,Prussia. This shows that Prussia is really close in unifying the German states. France, the man on the right, is fighting back and scaring the woman. France was very furious towards Prussia because of the Ems telegram and the source shows the man getting mad. This was a positive effect because Prussia gained the southern German states, which was one of Prussia's main goal. -
Ems Telegram
Primary SourceThe French ambassador sent an Ems telegram, and William I responded to it. Bismarck changed the King's reply by omitting details and making a few tweaks to it so that the telegram made France. The telegram was about the throne in Spain. The French wanted Leopold not to take the Spanish throne, and they wanted the King of Prussia to pledge to it. This would be a positive effect for Prussia because the southern German states would need protection and they would join Prussia later on. -
The Imperial Proclamation
Primary SourceRepresentatives of the German states got together in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. They issued the Imperial Proclamation that created the German Empire. According to the document, they created the German Empire because they "hope that the German people will be granted the ability to enjoy the reward of its ardent and self-sacrificing wars in lasting peace." This was a positive effect because it created the German Empire,which included all German states except Austria. -
Kulturkampf
Primary SourceBismarck issued Kulturkamp because he was a Protestant and did not trust the Catholics. There were many strict laws passed to control the Catholics. Bismarck said that this is "a matter of defense of the state......the state claims both authority and priority." This program was a negative effect because Bismarck was losing support. The Catholics were getting mad and causing problems for Bismarck.
