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Congress of Vienna created German Confederation, c39 states, kept weaker than Austria by Austrian chief minister Metternich.
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Age of Napoleon ends, which will lead to the eventuality of all events during the unification of Germany.
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Prussian Customs Union created, abolishing internal tariffs in Prussia and allowing her to develop her economy.
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Carlsbad Decrees – laws used by Metternich to restrict press and University freedoms, stopping spread of nationalist ideas.
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Zollverein created – a customs union of German states (not including Austria) that eventually allowed Prussia to dominate the German states economically. Started with 18 states.
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March 13th – Metternich forced to resign in Austria. March – Riots in Berlin. Initially these radical revolutionaries were supported by King of Prussia, Frederick Wilhelm IV. May – Frankfurt Parliament (aka National Assembly) begins – 596 liberals elected from the German Confederation meet to plan a constitution for a unified Germany. Nov – Frederick Wilhelm IV rejected revolutions (became a conservative/ reactionary) and regained control of Berlin.
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Wilhelm I becomes King of Prussia.
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Otto von Bismarck made ‘Minister-President’ (Prime Minister/Chancellor) of Prussia.
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King Frederick VII of Denmark dies. Bismarck sees an opportunity to gain Schleswig and Holstein
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Jan – Austria and Prussia go to war together against Denmark.April – London Conference fails to establish a peaceful solution.July – Denmark surrendersJan – Austria and Prussia go to war together against Denmark. April – London Conference fails to establish a peaceful solution. July – Denmark surrenders
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Aug – Convention of Gastein – Austria gets Holstein (nearer to Prussia), Prussia gets Schleswig. Bismarck knows that this solution will eventually lead to conflict with Austria.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/230698/German-Danish-War -
Bismarck provokes disagreements between Austria and Prussia over Holstein. 24th June – Seven Weeks’ War begins between Austria and Prussia. 3rd July – Austria badly defeated by Prussia at Battle of Sadowa. August – Peace of Prague ends the war. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/536531/Seven-Weeks-War
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Feb – Hohenzollern Candidate crisis – Bismarck offends the French by attempting to place Leopold of Hohenzollern (a member of King Wilhelm’s family) on the throne of Spain. Jul 13th – The Ems Telegram is published, edited by Bismarck to look as if King Wilhelm was rude to the French Ambassador whilst discussing the Spanish throne issue. July 19th – France declares war – Franco-Prussian War begins. Sept 1st – French defeated by Prussia at Battle of Sedan, Napoleon III captured.
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Oct – French Army surrenders at Metz. Nov – Southern German states (apart from Austria) agree to join a German Empire, influenced by nationalist excitement. http://purbeckhumanities.co.uk/2010/11/17/german-unification-timeline/
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Kulturkampf begins against Catholic power in Germany; Jesuit priests expelled from Germany. http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8670
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Jan 18th – German Empire declared in Palace of Versailles – Germany created! Wilhelm I is Kaiser, Bismarck is Chancellor. Jan 28th – France signs an Armistice ending the war. May – Treaty of Frankfurt. France gives up Alsace and Lorraine and has to pay Germany £200 million. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/treaty-of-frankfurt-am-main-ends-franco-prussian-war
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Kulturkampf against power of Catholic Church ends; Falk dismissed and some of the May Laws repealed. http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8670
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SPD (Socialist Party) has increased support to 35 seats. Anti-Socialist laws ended. Bismarck forced to resign as Chancellor. http://alphahistory.com/weimargermany/social-democratic-party-spd/
