German Unification The Steps that led to Unification

Otto von Bismarck

Factors Promoting Unity 1.Common Nationality- People who spoke German began to feel they had a common culture, They wanted a Unified Fatherland.

2.Napoleons Influence-- Napoleon aided German Unification by arousing German Nationalism against the French.

3. Congress of Vienna this created the 38 States of the German Confederation.

4. Zollverein- a tariff placed on Non-German goods in 1819.

Factors Hindering Unity 1. Differences among German People Northerners--Protestant Southern Catholic

2. Opposition of Austria, they feared a strong Germany.

3. Opposition of lesser German States feared losing power to a Central Gov’t

4. Opposition of France- they feared a strong Germany, They wanted to stay leader of Europe

Steps to Unification Creation of Prussian Military Power Danish War of 1864 Austro-Prussian War 1866 lasted 7 weeks

*Northern German Confederation 1867

* Franco Prussian War , Bismarck uses this war to unify Northern and Southern German States

* Establishment of the German Empire 1871, South agrees to join the North German states, Unification is complete.

German Unification is Complete Bismarck becomes the Prime Minister Wilhelm I is the 1st German Emperor