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The German customs union or Zollverein was a trade union that helped stimulate trade and increase revenues of member states. Helped create a middle-class. Tried to destroy the Austrian economy because they wouldn't join. Created a reason for Prussian unification. Did not include Austria which was crucial factor in the Austro - Prussian rivalry.
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Prussia emerged in 1848 with a parliament of sorts which was in the hands of the liberal middle class. The wealthy middle class wanted society to be less militaristic. Above all middle class reps wanted the ultimate political power to be in the hands of parliament, not the king.
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William I replaced Fredrick William IV as regent in 1858 and became king of Prussia in 1861. He was convinced that there was need of major army reforms and wanted to double the size of the regular army. He became the emperor of Germany after the Franco- Prussian war.
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Prussia was considered the weakest of the European powers when Bismarck took office. He realized that nationalism was not hostile to conservatism. He also believed that the German middle class could prefer national unity under conservative leadership. Bismarck reorganized the army and under his leadership Prussia won a war against Denmark, the Austro-Prussian War, and the Franco-Prussian War. These wars led to political unification and a Prussian-dominated German Empire w/ Bismarck as chancellor
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Prussia joined Austria in a war against Denmark when the Danish king tried to bring the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein into a centralized Danish state. Denmark was defeated and was forced to cede the territory. Prussia received Schleswig and Austria received Holstein. Bismarck’s skillful maneuvering throughout this war put Prussia in a position to engage Austria in a war of its own and expel Austria from German affairs.
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The Danish war began when the Danish king tried again to bring the provinces of Schleswig- Holstein under Danish control against the will of the German Confederation. Austria and Prussia joined together in a short war against Denmark.
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The Austro- Prussia War only lasted seven weeks. Utilizing railroads and new weaprony the reorganized Prussian army overran northern Gernany and soundly defeated Austria at the battle of Sadowa in Bohemia.
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Bismarck offered generous peace terms and Austria lost only Venetia which was ceded to Italy. The German Confederation was dissolved and Austria agreed to withdraw from German affairs. The northern states formed the New German Confederation led but Prussia but the southern states were independent while forming alliances with Prussia.
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Started as a result over candidates for the Spanish throne and also Bismarck's desire to drive the Southern German States into his arms. After many battles almost the entire French army was captured (along with Emperor Napoleon III) at Battle of Sedan.
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France had to pay for the war (5 Billion Francs) and cede valuable territories to Prussia (Alsace and the Lorraine provinces). This basically added insult to injury, an insult France never forgave and one of the causes of the First World War.
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