1. Unification of Germany Congress of Vienna (1815): the 350+ German states were compacted down to 39 in the German Confederation. - Led by Austria. Zollverein (1818 - 1834) helped to link all of the German states, except Austria, together economically by lowering tariffs. - Prussia used this to assume economic leadership.

4. Revolution of 1848: this liberal, middle-class revolution attempted to create a unified Germany. - It failed. - They could not agree whether to have a Germany led by Austria or by Prussia. Industrial Revolution (1850 - 1870): entered into Confederation strongly during this period. - Cities grew. - Commerce increased. - Communication = telegraph & railroads

5. Wilhelm I (1861 - 1888): King of Prussia who wanted to modernize & increase size of the army. - Prussian Parliament says no. Otto von Bismarck (1862 - 1890): served a Prime Minister of Prussia - Ordered tax collectors to collect new tax for army reform even though Parliament had not passed the law. *Army 135,000 > 190,000 *Reservists 250,000 > 450,000 - "Today's decisions will not be made with speeches and debate. They will be made with blood and iron."

6. Wilhelm I & Otto von Bismarck

8. Schleswig-Holstein Problem - two provinces ruled by the King of Denmark but not part of it. - King wanted to annex at least Schleswig. - Holstein was part of the German Confederation. Danish War (1864): Prussia and Austria defeat Denmark & uphold "law & order" - Schleswig administered by Prussia. - Holstein administered by Austria.

9. Austro-Prussian War (1866) - Bismarck had officials harass the Austrians coming through Prussia to Holstein. - Bismarck announced that Prussia wanted to reform the German Confederation using universal manhood suffrage. - This made Austria furious; would tear apart its empire. - Austria declared war on Prussia. - Prussia used new railroads to move troops quickly and used new weapons from Industrial Revolution. - Austria was defeated in six weeks; gave up Venetia to Italy.

11. North German Confederation - Bismarck set this up. - No Austria or south German states which had opposed Prussia. - Austria lost primacy in Germany. Bill of Indemnity (1866) - Bismarck was still governing unconstitutionally, so he tried to make peace with Parliament. - Military victory = more Conservatives in Parliament. - The bill retroactively legalized all expenditures and war. Ausgleich (1867) - Hungarians revolt and force Austrian government to share power. - country now named Austria-Hungary.

12. Napoleon III working to keep France preeminent in Europe. - was very unhappy with new, strong Prussia. - agreed to recognize new Prussia if France got Rhineland. - arms race between Prussia and France 1867 - 1870. Spanish Candidacy (1868) - Queen Isabella overthrown. - crown offered to Prince Leopold von Hohenzollern. - He accepted in 1870, after being asked for fourth time. - He was Wilhelm's cousin. - Napoleon III said that France would not allow this, as it would be caught between Prussia & Spain. - French public opinion = war if Hohenzollern on throne. - French ambassador convinced Wilhelm to pressure Leopold to rescind his acceptance (July 1870)

13. Ems Telegram - French ambassador demanded that Wilhelm promise that a Hohenzollern would never consider the Spanish throne. - Wilhelm sent Bismarck a telegram about this demand. - Bismarck "edited" the telegram and released it to the press: (Ambassador and king insult each other!)

14. France-Prussian War (1870) - Prussian people called for war. - French people called for war, as they believe that Wilhelm was rude to the ambassador. - July 19, 1870, France declares war on Prussia, just as Bismarck had wanted. - French troops move out of Rome - Italy takes it. (only Vatican City left) - South German states help out North German Confederation, because of defensive alliance if a state was attacked.

16. Battle of Sedan (Sept. 1870) - Half of French army & Napoleon III taken prisoner. - Second Empire fell and a republic proclaimed. Siege of Paris (Sept. 1870 - Jan.1871) - Paris refused to surrender, so Prussian army surrounded and shelled it. - Prussians set up headquarters at Versailles. Germany Proclaimed ( January 18, 1871) - Bismarck convinced all the other German states to combine with Wilhelm as king. - Ceremony took place in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles. Treaty of Frankfurt - Germany received two provinces, Alsace & Lorraine, and five billion francs indemnity.

17. German Empire Proclaimed