Napoleon's conquests destroyed the Holy Roman Empire and unified many German states in the Confederation of the Rhine.

Nationalism united the German states to defeat the French in

The Congress of Vienna formed the German Confederation of 39 states where Austria dominated.

German students increased nationalist spirit in spite of the attempt to stop it in the Karlsbad Decrees

Unification could come under Austria or Prussia : But which one?

The Zollverein was created by Prussia to increase trade among the German states The Zollverein

1848: The Frankfurt Diet failed to form a constitutional monarchy under Prussian King Frederick William IV

King William I of Prussia (reigned ) was a strong monarch willing to oppose Austria and unify Germany

King William appointed Otto von Bismarck Chancellor; Bismarck led the unification process

Bismarck’s plan: Eliminate Austria and unite Germany under the Prussian monarchy How is this for high?

Bismarck and Realpolitik: “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made..” “Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.” People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election. “When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice..” “The great questions of the day will not be settled by speeches and majority decisions, but by blood and iron.” “When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.”

Bismarck used nationalism to strengthen the monarchy and weaken his political opposition

Bismarck got Britain and Russia to agree to not interfere in any conflict between Prussia and Austria

Bismarck led Napoleon III to believe that he could gain territory for France by mediating between Prussia and Austria

In 1864, Prussia and Austria fought Denmark gaining the states of Schleswig and Holstein

Bismarck engineered a conflict between Prussia and Austria over the governing of Schleswig and Holstein

Battle of Sadowa (Königgrätz), 1866 Austria was defeated by Prussia in the Seven Weeks’ War, 1866

Napoleon III failed to secure anything for France in the Seven Weeks’ War PEACE AND NO PIECES! Bismarck: “Pardon, mon ami, but we really can’t allow you to pick up anything here.” Napoleon III: “Pray, don’t mention it M’sier. It’s not of the slightest consequence.”

Setting up Napoleon III and France France was forced out of Mexico; Napoleon III failed to gain anything for France after Prussia’s war with Denmark or the Seven Weeks’ War Queen Isabella of Spain abdicated; Bismarck nominated Prince Leopold von Hohenzollern, cousin to William I, to be King of Spain France protested; Leopold’s name was withdrew The French ambassador met William I at Bad Ems and asked for an apology The apology was given, but Bismarck edited the report of the conference to insult France; the Ems Telegram was published on Bastille Day, 1870 War was declared by France on Prussia bringing the unification of the remaining German states

Bismarck edited the “Ems Telegram” to insult France and precipitate war

German Army crosses the Loire, 1870 The south German states united with Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War

Napoleon III was defeated and captured at Sedan. It was the end of the Second Empire.

German troops march into Paris in 1870: France was defeated in 5 months

Siegfried (Germany) defeats Joan of Arc (France) in the Franco- Prussian War,

The Coronation of Kaiser Wilhelm I The German Empire was declared in the Palace of Versailles in January 1871

Consequences of the Franco-Prussian War Germany unified under the Prussian monarchy as the German Empire France’s Second Empire was defeated France established the Third Republic Final unification of Italy was achieved with the addition of Rome and the Papal States Uprising and defeat of Paris Commune Loss of Alsace-Lorraine leaves France bitter and wanting revenge Balance of power upset; Germany dominated Central Europe

Europe, 1860 Austrian Empire

Europe, 1871 Austro- Hungarian Empire