1. Unification of Germany

2. Realpolitik
The right of the nation-state to pursue its own advantage by any means, including war and the repudiation of treaties.

3. Bismarck’s Goals for Prussia
1) raise money for army expansion
2) wanted Prussia to use its military and economic power to reduce Austrian influence among German states
3) to arrange the unification of all German states except Austria and Switzerland under Prussian domination

4. War Against Denmark
Schleswig and Holstein: Schleswig was part German and part Danish; Holstein’s population was entirely German.
In 1863 King Charles IX of Denmark proclaimed Schleswig a Danish province.
Bismarck persuaded Austria to join Prussia in declaring war against Denmark in 1864.

5. Prussia took control of Schleswig, and Austria took over the administration of Holstein.
*this made Europe aware of Prussia’s military might and influence; tension resulting from the war settlement gave Bismarck the excuse he wanted for going to war with Austria.

7. Seven Weeks War
Bismarck gained Russia’s goodwill by offering the Czar aid against Polish rebels in 1863.
He offered France possible “compensations” for its neutrality.
Gained Italian military support.

8. Prussia invaded Holstein June 15, 1866.
Separated Austria from Germany and ended the chance for a united Germany under Austrian control.
Treaty of Prague dissolved the German Confederation and gave Holstein to Prussia and Venetia to Italy.

9. North German Confederation of 1867
(Without Austria) The Confederation’s constitution gave each state the right to manage domestic affairs, but put foreign policy and national defense in the hands of Prussia.

11. The Franco-Prussian War
The Southern German states, which were largely Catholic, remained outside the new German Confederation.
*France posed the most serious obstacle to a united Germany. (Napoleon III would not accept German unification)
“a Franco-German (Prussian) war must take place before the construction of a united Germany could be realized.”

12. Lure France into War
1870-the Hohenzollern candidacy for the Spanish throne.
*1868 Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern (Catholic cousin of William I) will be offered the throne to Spain. Leopold voluntarily declined the throne.
Bismarck looked to gain control of Alsace-Lorraine (under French control at the time)

13. July 1870-France demanded a promise from William that a Hohenzollern would never sit on the Spanish throne.
July 19, 1870: fighting between France and Prussia began with the southern German states allying with Prussia;
Prussia easily defeated the French; Bismarck gained support from all of the German states for the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership.