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Bismarck's rise to power
A year after he had become king of Prussia, William the first appointed Otto van Bismark to head the Prussian cabinet. He Bismarck wanted to unite Germany and expand Prussia. While in power, he collected tax money for the military without Parliment's approval, and in doing so, made many enemies of the public. -
The Danish War
The First of the three wars that united Germany, the Danish war began when Prussia and Austria refused the new Danish constitution that was created by Christian the nineth. Denmark surrenderd soon after and a peace treaty was made. The treaty gave power of the small states, Schleswig and Holstein, to Prussia and Austria. -
The Seven Weeks War
The Treaty of Prague was made, ending the war. The conflict centerd around Bismarck, who convinced Austria to fight with Prussia over the German Confederation. It only took seven weeks for Prussia to defeat Austria, and they gained Holstein while Italy won Venetia. -
The Franco-Prussian War
In the last of the three wars, Germany only needed to combine the southern states of Germany with the North German Confederation to finish the unification.Bismarck did just that by convincing France to go to war with Prussia over an insult. Prussia was ablt to defeat France with support from the southern German states.After a treaty, France lost land and money. -
The Formation of the German Empire
In an event that took place before the treaty between France ond Prussia, all of the German states exept Austria were united. At a meeting of representatives at the Palace of Versailles, it was accomplised that King William the first would be emporer and Bismarck the cheif minister. With the help of a constitution, it became that each of the states would rule themselves mostly, and things like foreign affairs would be hendeld by the government.