Aim: Describe the unification of Germany

Prussia Leads German Unification Like Italy, Germany also achieved national unity in the mid-1800’s 1815, 39 German states formed a loose grouping called the German Confederation Prussia enjoyed several advantages that would eventually help it forge a strong German state Prussia had a mainly German population Nationalism unified Prussia Prussia’s army was by far the most powerful in central Europe 2

Bismarck Takes Control 1861, Wilhelm I succeeded Frederick William to the throne 1862, Wilhelm chose a conservative named Otto von Bismarck as his prime minister Bismarck was a master of what came to be known as reapolitik (The politics of reality) Bismarck would become one of the commanding figures of German history Bismarck declared that he would rule without consent of parliament and without a legal budget 1864, Bismarck had alliances forged between Prussia & Denmarck Stirred up border conflicts with Austria (Seven Weeks’ War) 1867, Few German states remained independent Franco-Prussian War helped nationalist fever seize people of southern Germany 3

A Shift in Power 1815 Congress of Vienna had established five Great Powers in Europe Britain France Austria Prussia Russia By 1871, Britain and Germany were clearly the most powerful, both militarily and economically 4