Unification of Germany Timeline of Events

1807-1812 Napoleon organizes the French controlled Rhine Confederation Inspires sense of nationalism among the German states

1830s An economic union called the Zollverein is created by the Prussians This unifies Germany economically, but not politically

1848 Frankfurt Assembly offers throne to Frederick William of Prussia He rejects the throne because it came from the people not the princes Early attempt at unification

1862 Otto von Bismarck is made chancellor (like a prime minister) of Prussia Develops method of Realpolitik and “blood and iron” Sets out to unify Germans for Prussia

1864 War with Denmark– Germany gets Schleswig and Holstein Holstein is administered by Austria, Bismarck wants it for Prussia

1866 Austro-Prussian War (war with Austria) Prussians get Holstein

1870 Franco-Prussian War Prussians get Alsace and Lorraine from France French are humiliated

January, 1871 William I takes title of Kaiser Birth of the 2nd Reich, or German empire Bismarck is chancellor

Italian and German Unification Flow Chart

Napoleon led to The rise of nationalism

Italy

Austria, France, and the Popes Have control over some Italian land

Count Cavour

Got control of Northern Italy

Garibaldi Got control of SOUTHERN Italy

Italy is Unified!

Papal States (Rome) joins Italy

One of the biggest German states Prussia One of the biggest German states

Bismarck = Prime Minister

Believes in Realpolitik

Country can do Whatever it takes to get what it needs

Fights Denmark Austria France

Germany is unified!