German Unification

By avlaurie

  • German states are unified

    39 German states are loosely joined under the German Confederation which was controlled by Austria.

  • Berlin rioters forced there to be a liberal constitution for the kingdom

    Nationalism strengthened the Prussian empire whereas the contrasting ethnic groups in Austia-Hungary weakened the empire.
  • Period: to

    Dominance of Austria was challenged by Prussia

    Austria's control of the German region was threatened by Prussia and German unification began.

  • Wilhelm I Succeeds Frederick William

    Prussian parliment refused to fund Wilhelm's reforms that would strengthen the army. Wilhelm then appointed strongly conservative Junker, Otto von Bismarck as the prime minister. Bismarck was skilled in the politics of reality, or realpolitik.

  • King Wilhelm I of Prussia was crowned emporer

    At a captured French palace, Wilhelm was given the title of kaiser and became second in power only to the Holy Roman Empire.