German Unification

By perez.l12

  • All German states joined Zollverein except Austria

    This exclusion became a crucial factor in Austro-Prussian rivalry.

  • Parliament rejected William I military budget; calls on Bismarck

    This caused William I to call on Bismarck and defy the Parliament. (William was convinced of the NEED for major army reforms.)
  • Period: to

    Voters expressed oposition of Bismarck's actions

    Blood and iron not speeches and resolutions.

  • Austria and Prussia against Denmark

    Danidh king tried to bring the provinces together. Defeated by Austria and Prussia. This is when Bismarck was convinced that Prussia had to control Northern Germany. He had to expel Austria.

  • Austro-Prussian War of 1866

    Lasted 7 weeks. Prussia defeated Austria, but Prussia made generous peace terms with them. Now there was a North German Confederation. People no longer opposed Bismarck; they bowed before him. German unity was in sight.
  • Period: to

    Franco-Prussian War

    Bismarck realized that a patriotic war with France would drive the southern German states into his arms. He would achieve German unity this way.

  • Main French Army Defeated

    Louis Napolean captured and humiliated.

  • Paris surrenders to German Army

    This win realeaed a surge of German pride in Germany. France went on to accept Bismarck's harsh peace terms. By this time, the southern German states had already agreed to join a new German empire. German unification was achieved.