-
Napolean
makes important changes in german speaking territories. -
Zollverein
the economic union between german states is created by Prussia. -
Paulskirchenverfassung
The Frankfurt Parliament passed this document, declaring German political unity. -
William IV
rejects the throne offered by "the people." -
Otto von Bismark
made chancellor by William I. -
"Blood and Iron"
Bismarck gives his famous "Blood and Iron" speech. -
Austria-Prussia Alliance formed.
Bismark forms an alliance between Austria and Prussia. -
Prussia attacks Austra.
Bismarck invents an excuse to attack Austria. Prussia wins. -
Battle of Sadowa
Prussia wins this decisive battle against
Austria. -
Peace of Prague
Peace treaty ending the Austro-Prussian war, signed in Prague. -
Franco-Prussian War
France, worried over Prussian victory over Austria and furious over edited telegram, goes to war with Prussia. Prussia wins. -
Battle of Sedan
Major battle in the Franco-Prussian war that ended in the favor of Prussia. This battle ended with the capture of Napolean III. -
Birth of the Second Reich.
William I excepts the title of Kaiser. -
Treaty of Frankfurt
signed, ending the Franco-Prussian war. -
Unified German currency
The mark replaces the thaler, gulden, and schilling as the primary currency of unified Germany. -
Kulturkampf
Bismark launches the battle for civilization by enacting laws that limited the power of the church and allowing the government to oversee many church functions. -
Health Insurance
Bismark passed a bill that created a right to health insurance for workers. -
William II
succeeds his grandfather as kaiser. -
Old-age insurance
Bismark creates a bill to give a pension to workers over the age of 65. The life expectantcy at the time the bill was created was 45. -
Bismark is asked to resign
by William II.
