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Napoleon Invades German Lands
Napoleon made important territorial changes in Germany. -
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Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna was established in September of 1814. The goal of the Congress was to provide a long-term peace for Europe. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna created the German confederation that was comprised of 39 Germanic state in order to coordinate the economies of separate German-speaking countries. -
Otto Von Bismarck Birth
Otto Von Bismarck was born in Schönhausen, Germany. His birth name was Otto Eduard Leopold. -
Zollverein
The Zollverein was an economic union of Germanic states that was formed to break down tariff barriers. -
Frankfurt Assembly Demands Unity
The Frankfurt Assembly meets with Germany and wishes to be politically united, and they offer the throne to Frederick William IV. -
Frederick William IV is Offered the Throne
The people offer the throne to William IV, but he doesn't take the offer because he won't listen to or take advice from people that he believes are "lower" than him. -
Blood and Iron Speech
Otto von Bismarck stated that it is more efficient to get what you want through force and war than by talking about it. This was the general idea of his blood and iron speech. -
Declares War on Denmark
Bismarck formed an alliance with Austria in 1864, then they took the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein from Denmark. -
Declares War on Austria
Bismarck created an excuse to attack Austria, which was formerly in an alliance with Prussia. After 7 weeks, Bismarck won and acquired their territory along with some other northern provinces. -
William I of Prussia Becomes Emperor
Princes from the southern German states and the Northern German Confederation convinced William I to take the position as emperor. -
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Franco-Prussian War
During the Franco-Prussian war, Bismarck tricked Napoleon into attacking Germany. The French army was poorly organized and supplied, and Napoleon surrendered quickly. -
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Campaign Against Socialists
Socialist groups wanted change for the working class. Bismarck was afraid that a revolutionwas coming, so he created laws outlawing socialsm newspapers and socialist groups. This backfired and brought those groups closer together. Then, Bismarck gave in and passed socialist health care, accident insurance, other insurances with retirement benefits. This showed the socialists that change could happen without fighting. -
Bismarck Becomes Chancellor
In 1871, Bismarck became chancellor of the new German empire that was formed out of Germanic states after the Franco-Prussian war -
Second Reich is Created
William I becomes emperor with Bismarck as chancellor. This sparks the second Reich, or empire, which is considered to be the next Holy Roman Empire. -
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Population Growth
The German population increased by about 25 million. The economy advances and society becomes more efficient due to its development in industry. -
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Kulturekampf
Bismarck campaigns against the church and clergy, who he believes is loyal first to the Pope and not Germany. He passes laws that limit Catholic power and that alllow supervision of Catholic education. These laws backfire and the Catholics rally together and stand against him. Bismarck realizes his mistake and tries to make peace. -
Economic Development
In 1871 Germany issued a currency, reorganized the banking system. They also designed railroads. The leaders of the German Emipre were determined to maintain economic strength and military power. -
Constitution Drafted by Bismarck
Bismarck sets up a two-house legislature where the upper house, known as the Bundesrat, was elected by the rulers of the German states. The lower house, the Reichstag, was appointed by male voters. The bundesrat could veto any decisions made b the Reichstag, so the power remained with the emperor and the chancellor. -
William II Becomes Kaiser
William II provided many good things for Germany such as cheap transportatin, education, and electricity. At that time the German army was the most powerful force in the world, so he sought to claim land from France and Britain. -
Bismarck Resigns
Bismarck resigns when William II orders him to do so becauses he believes there can only be one ruler. -
House of Krupp
The weapons company Krupp sells weapons on an international, economic basis.
