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Peace Treaty of Westphalia
Holy Roman Empire was divided into more than 300 states. As a nation-state it did not exist until 1871 -
German Confederation
By the Congress of Vienna in 1815 it got formed and replaced the Holy Roman Empire
Two largest states were dominating the confederation, Prussia and Habsburg Empire -
Zollverin
Custom union means, that tariffs got removed on products between German states in order to boost their economy
By 1854 majority of German states involved -
Period: to
Otto von Bismarck
He got elected as the Prime Minister. He answered the most important questions through war and blood. He did not support the idea of liberalism and the constitution was not wanted, so he created nationalism. Also called as "The Iron Chancellor" -
Blood and Iron speech
Bismarck made this speech t the Prussian Parliament about the budget. He refused to spend more money on the army -
Danish War
Holstein's population was German, Schleswig's mixture of Germans and Danes. Prussia helped Austria against Denmark, so Bismarck could assess Austria's military power -
Bismarck's preparation
Persuaded Napoleon III to remain neutral
Formed an alliance with Italy
Provoked Austria into declaring war on Prussia -
Austro-Prussian War
It lasted seven weeks, and Prussia advanced from it, because of the better army and technology. As a result, Northern German states united with Prussia and formed the North German Confederation. -
Period: to
Prussian-French War
Bismarck refused to give up territories to France
King William responded to telegram from the French with an insult
France declared war on Prussia and Napoleon was taken prisoner -
Treaty of Versailles
France lost Alsace-Lorraine
France prayed for Germany with 5 billion francs
William I proclaimed the Emperor of the Germans
Small German Unity was realized and the Emperor headed the government with a lot of power
Legislative power was the Bundestag