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Napoleon Raids German Lands
Napoleon began making changes to the territory between 1896 and 1812 by annexing lands for the country of France. Some Germans along the Rhine River believed he was their hero, but not all of the Germans liked the changes and wanted to be their own unified state, away from Napoleon. When European leaders had the Congress of Vienna the leaders thought that destroying the government of each city-state to form a unity would be too much and they decided to form the German Confederation. -
Bizmarck Unites Germany.
Otto von Bismark was a noble from Prussia and King William I made him a prime minister. Soon he had turned into the chancellor and he united the city-states of Germany under Prussia. He was very strong willed and he also executed realpolitik nicely. He also strengthened the army and their victories increased the German unity. -
Prussia Declares War with Denmark and Austria
Bismarck created an alliance with Austria, and together they gained control of the Danish provinces Schleswig and Holstein, Schlesiwg under Prussian control and Holstein under Austrian. Prussia made an excuse to attack Austria, and the Austro-Prussian war ended with Prussian victory. Prussia took control of northern German states, and 5 southern remanined independent. -
France Declares War on Prussia
Napoleon III was angry since the Prussians won over Austria, and the rivalry between the 2 countries led to the Franco-Prussian War. Bismarck contributed to the problem by rewriting a telegram between the French Ambassador and King William I. This seemed like an insult to the Frenchmen. The Prussian forces demolished the poorly organized French soldiers. -
German Empire is Born
After the victory over France, the German states and the Northern German Confederation and made William I take the title of kaiser, or emperor. The nationalists celebrated the new, second Reich. The constitution made a 2 house legislature with an upper house and a lower house, but the real power still remained between the emperor and the chancellor.
