Germany 1815 - 1890

By jake02
  • Period: to

    Germany 1815 - 1890

  • Congress of Vienna

    The Congress of Vienna was a conference of the European nations that confirmed a confederation of the 39 German states (cities, duchies, princely territories as well as Prussia and Bavaria) under the presidency of Austria. Almost immediately however, this settlement was challenged by the peoples inspired by Liberism and Nationalism. Many rallies ensured.

  • The Carlsbad Decrees

    The series of respective laws in the German states agreed to by the representative German princes meeting in the town of Carlsbad. The decrees protest though:
    - Censorship of the press
    - Suppression of the Burschenschaften
    - Control of universities and schools
    - A ban on political meetings
    Despite this, there was growth in Liberal ideas interest amoung the middle class due to influences from overseas.

  • Formation of the Zollverein Customs Union Under Prussian Leadership

  • Revolutions in the German States

    Following the French and Austrian Revolutions, there were uprisings in Germany as the middle and working classes demanded reforms. Food shortages and a downturn in the economy increased unemployment and all of this contributed to political unrest. Under pressure from a mob in Berlin, the Prussian King Frederik William IV promised to grant a constitution and to merge Prussia into a new Germany. The abdication of King Ludwig I happened shortly after.

  • The Frankfurt Assembly

    Elected representatives from the German states met at the Frankfurt Assembly to draw up plans for a united Germany. Little agreement was met from all nations.

  • Prussian Parliament Disbanding

  • The Appointment of Bismarck

    King William I of Prussia appointed Otto Von Bismarck as his chancellor. The King believed that Bismarck might be able to deal with the Liberals who were blocking Bismarck's plans by refusing to vote for the army reforms. Eventually he built up the army by illegally using tax payer's money without the permission of the Parliament. Bismarck's aimed to create a united Germany. He believed that the German people would rally around the Prussian monarch as leader if they were externally threatened.

  • The Danish War

    The Danish War was fought over the disputed territories of Schleswig and Holstein. This was won by Austria and Prussia who therefore administered the territories jointly.

  • Austro-Prussian War

    This arose because of disputes between Austria and Prussia over the administration of Schleswig and Holstein. It was planned by Bismarck as a means to end Austria's influence in the German states. After the defeat of Austria at the Battle of Sadowa, Prussia replaced Australia as the leading power among the German states and Austria was effectively excluded from German affairs.

  • Franco-Prussian War

    Fearing attack across Alsace and through the Black Forest region, the south German states willingly joined with the Prussians in a war against the French. The Prussians won the war after the Battle of Sedan and the sieges of Metz and Paris.

  • Proclamation of the German Empire (Reich)

    In the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, the proclamation of the new German empire orrured during a time of a Paris siege.

  • Bismarck Launched Kulturkampf Against the Catholic Church

  • Kaiser Wilhelm II Comes to the German Throne

  • Dismissal of Bismarck

    One of Wilhelm II's policies when he was in power was the removal of Bismarck, which happened in 1890.