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Creation of German Confederation
Napoleons defeat did not answer the problem. As a result, Metternich said that a united Germany would need to dismantle the government of each German State. As another option, the peacemakers made the German Condederation. The German Confederation was a weak alliance that was headed by Austria. -
Bismark's Rise to Power
Otto von Bismarck came from Prussia's Junker class. The Junker class was made up of conservative landowning nobles. He first served Prussia as a diplomat in Russia and France. Then, in 1862, King William I made him prime minister. He then became chancellor (highest official of the monarch) and used his policy of "blood and iron." -
The Austro-Prussian War
This war lasted nearly seven weeks. The result of this war was a Prussian victory. As a "reward" Prussia then annexed (took over) many northern German states. -
Annexation of Denmark
After Bismarck formed an alliance with Austria in 1864. Prussia and Austria declared war on Denmark. After a small war, Prussia and Austria liberated the two provinces of Holstein and Schleswig, and split up the spoils. Austria got Holstein and Prussia got Schleswig. -
The Franco-Prussian War
Napoleon III did little to avoid war. He was hoping to cover the problems at home with military glory. Bismarck made the issue worse by releasing a telegram to the press saying there was a meeting between King William I and The French Ambassador. Napoleon then angrily declared war on Prussia, just like Bismarck wanted. During the war, Napoleon surrendered after a few weeks due to his age and because he was ill. -
The Birth of the German Empire
After the victory over France, William I took the title of Kaiser (emperor). In January, German nationalists celebrated the begining of the second Reich (empire). It was considered their heir to the Holy Roman Empire
