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January, 1848
-Frederik VII claims Schleswig-Holstein
-Schleswig-Holstein appeal to the Frankfurt Parliament for aid -
February, 1848
-The Frankfurt Parliament tries to draft a constitution for a unified Germany, but the political opinion is too split
- Liberals want a Constitutional Monarchy
- Radicals want a Republic with universal male suffrage -
March, 1848
-Violent fighting during the "March Days"
-King Frederik William IV makes concessions to the liberals:
-more liberal cabinet
-releases imprisoned liberals
-authorises the Civil Guard
-Say "Prussia is henceforth merged with Germany" -
10 April, 1848
Britain and Russia state position against Prussian occupation of Schleswig-Holstein and Britain threatens to get involved in the Baltic -
15 April, 1848
Prussia pull of out Schleswig-Holstein to avoid antagonising Britain and Russia (also to avoid helping the Liberals in the Frankfurt Parliament) -
May, 1848
Nationalist von Gagern becomes president of Frankfurt Parliament -
27 October, 1848
The Frankfurt Parliament finally decides on the "Kleindeutsch" (Smaller Germany) policy without Austria and only with German States (not Hungary etc.) -
December, 1848
The Declaration of the Rights of the German People -
April, 1949
-King Frederik IV of Prussia rejects the Constitution that called for a united Germany under Prussian Kaiser with a bicameral Parliament
-It was too associated with the Revolutionaries
-It was not put forward by powerful people- will not accept "crown from gutter" -
June, 1849
The Frankfurt Parliament was forcefully dispersed -
1852: The Treaty of London
-Schleswig-Holstein are under Denmark's authority, but not a part of Denmark
-Denmark not allowed to absorb the twin Duchies -
1854
Prussia declares neutrality in the Crimean War (vaguely supports the Anti-Russian Austria) -
1862
Bismarck states that he resents the Metternich System because it purposely makes Prussia inferior to Austria -
1864
-Christian IX of Denmark claims Schleswig-Holstein
-Prussia declares war on Denmark
-Austria joins in to "look good" to the German population -
August, 1865
- Prussian-Danish war ends - Prussia get Schleswig - Austria gets Holstein
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3 May, 1866
Theirs (French Prime Minister) states that he is against German unification because it will mean the loss of French dominance on the continent -
May, 1866
Bismarck declares the reorganisation of the German confederation with out Austria -
23 June, 1866: Battle of Sadowa
Decisive victory for the Prussians in the Battle of Sadowa, lead by von Molkte -
25 June, 1866
Theirs says that it was not only Austria but France that lost the Battle of Sadowa -
July 1866
- von Moltke wants to invade Austria -Bismarck does not because he wants a quick peace with them so he can win their support in fighting France
-If Piedmont joins Prussia in war against Austria and win, they will get Venetia Military alliance with France
-France will get Venetia if they stay neutral in the war with Austria -
23 August, 1866: The Treaty of Prague
- Austria gives up political influence in Schleswig-Holstein
- A non-punitive peace as Bismarck wants no hostility
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1867: Der Ausgleich
The Habsburg Empire becomes the dual monarchy, Austria-Hungary -
September, 1869
German Prince Leopold runs for the Spanish Crown -
3 July, 1870
France is upset by a German on the Spanish throne- feels "surrounded" by Germans
-The Crown Prince- Later Kaiser William II- has Prince Leopold turn down the throne -
12 July, 1870
The French demand a public statement from Prussia not to offer a Prussian again for a foreign crown -
13 July, 1870
William I rejects the French demand -
14 July, 1870
Bismarck published Ems telegram
- A rewording of the Kaisers response in such a way that is extremely rude. The Ems telegram is purposely published on the anniversary of Bastille Day to insult the French and provoke them into declaring war -
19 July, 1870
France declares war on Prussia -
17 August, 1870: The Battle Wörth
Shows the over-confidence of the French as they did not even bother to dig defensive trenches and consequently lost. -
3 September, 1870: The Battle of Sedan
A disastrous defeat for the French who were trapped, after having taken a valley, by mass artillery fire from the Prussians on the surrounding highlands. This battle demonstrates the Prussian superiority in military technology and shows that the French tactics are thus outdated. -
Winter, 1871
The siege of paris -
18 January, 1871
The Second Reich is declared at Versailles -
26 February, 1871: The Treaty of Frankfurt
- High war indemnity
- Germans hold victory parade down Champs-Élysées
- All of Alsace and half of Lorraine given to Germany
- Germany to occupy Northern France until reparations are paid off
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10 June, 1871
Victory parade down Champs-Élysées -
1873: The League of Three Emperors
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia -
1878: Congress fo Berlin
According to the Russians, Bismarck "stabs them in the back" by making them give up territory gained in the 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War The League of Three Emperors falls apart -
1879: Austro-German Dual Alliance
Austria-Hungary becomes Germany's first military ally -
1881: The Triple Alliance
Italy allies with Germany and Austria-Hungary
A continuation of of Bismarck's foreign policy of isolating France, which is even more important now after France and Germany have become sworn enemies -
1884: Second League of Three Emperors
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1887: Reinsurance Treaty
- Brings Russia closer to Germany in exchange for getting support in Russo-Austrian squabbles over the Balkans
- Isolates France
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January, 1889
England again rejects the offer of an Anglo-German alliance -
18 March, 1889
Bismarck resigns Kaiser William II rejects renewal of Reinsurance Treaty -
1894: Franco Russian Dual Alliance