-
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte became emperor of France in 1804 and expanded the French Empire to almost all of Europe. He introduced nationalism to conquered countries by accident. The French indulged in their nation, and conquered nations felt the same for their own nation and began to dislike being under French rule and started rebellions in defense of their own nationalism. -
The Confederation of the Rhine
Napoleon's formation of the Confederation of the Rhine brought most of the German states together under himself. Because all these common Germans were united under French law, they felt that they were all Germans and should be controlled by Germans themselves and not the French. Their economies and politics greatly improved because of common ideas. -
German Confederation
The German Confederation was a continuation of the Confederation of the Rhine including Prussia that again united all the German states.The Treaty of Paris 1814 is what the Congress of Vienna used to create the German Confederation. With Prussia, this unification strengthened the German nationalism. -
Zollverein
The Zollverein was able to unify all the German states with the exception of Austria and a few states in the Northwest territory in an economic manner. They created a standard currency (Vereinsthaler) for all states in the union. Custom dues and tariffs were abolished between member states, positively bringing mutual prosperity. The Zollverein did however, create tension between Prussia and Austria. -
The Danish War
The Danish War was Prussia and Austria against Denmark for Holstein and Schleswig. This war momentarily brought sworn enemies Austria and Prussia together for Germany against a common enemy of Denmark. This was beneficial for Germans, for they have gained more land, but ended in hurting Denmark's nationalism and many casualties due to war. -
Seven Weeks War
Also known as the Austro-Prussian War, it is the last war to completely unify all of Germany. Prussia crushed Austria, which gained heavy losses. Many soldiers were lost, and equipment destroyed. Austria had to give up Holstein to Prussia, crushing their own pride by their enemy. Nationalism of one country can devastate the nationalism of another. See Otto Von Bismarck: 1866 in the link. -
The North German Confederation
The North German Confederation is a step towards the German Empire. It put the Bundesrat and the Reichstag into action as the federal council. This brought the nations in the confederation together with a federal military. Included all german states, excluding southern states and Austria. Although brought together Nothern states, it caused a war between Prussia and Austria. -
The Franco-Prussian War
The Ems Telegram caused the Franco-Prussian War. Prussia gained France as an enemy. This war united the last of the Southern German states, completing the German Empire, uniting all German states (except Austria). It created a federal government with a constitution for all Germans within the Empire. This setup, however, made a few disagreements, as each state had a different culture. -
The German Empire
[The Declaration of the German Empire](http:/images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100511211734/althistory/images/1/17/Wernerprokla.jpg) was under the Prussian king and unified all the German states except Austria. This gave Prussia authority over all of the German Empire, which causes great discontent from Austria. -
Industrialism
Industrialism strengthened the bond between the German states within the Empire. The connecting railroads without tarriffs greatly improved trade and economy. Cultures also spreaded and intertwined because of communication and transportation. This helped finalize the belief in one empire, Germany.
