1. Aim: Describe the unification of Germany

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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