German Unification

By 17schaechs

  • Speech to Frankfurt Assembly

    In this speech, Johann Gustav Droysen contrasts Prussia and Austria. It seems he speaks in favor of Prussia, due to the positibe remarks he makes about the country. For example, he says that Prussia desired unity with Germany to supply the deficiencies of its own power and therefore is in Germany's "embryo" and will in turn merge with Germany. He then continues on to speak negatively of Austria: He remarks that Austria is without German rule, and Austria's power means a lack of power for Germany

  • Proclomation of 1849

    In this document, Friedrich William IV, King of Prussia, rejects the crown of the German National Assembly (Frankfurt Assembly). His reasons were as follows: Firstly, the Assembly does not have the righ to bestow the crown to him without consent from German governments, and also because that offered the crown with the condition that he must accept a constitution that would not agree with rights of the German states.

  • Letter to Minister von Manteuffel

    In this document, Otto von Bismarck anticipates developments in the relationship between Austria and Germany. He said they will have to fight for existence against Austria, which is an event that is unavoidable because in regards to Germany's situation, there is no other solution.

  • Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke

    A war took place between Prussia and Austria in 1866. Germany won leadership of Prussia.

  • Otto von Bismarck

    Germany had to avoid wounding Austria too severely to then in turn avoid Austria developing any reason to have bitterness with or take revenge on Germany to reserve the possibility of "friendship".

  • The Imperial Proclamation

    The German princes and free cities called for King Wilhelm to assume the crown of Emperor. The King accepted a few duties in his proclomation, and these were: 1) to protect the rights of the Empire and its members 2) and to protect the independence of Germany. He expressed hope that the "German people will be granted the ability to enjoy the reward of its ardent and self-sacrificing wars in lasting peace."