2.  The history of the German unification is a long record which was finally accomplished on 18 Jan, 1871. on the eve of French Revolution, Germany like Italy was the most divided state in Europe and consisted of more then two hundred states owing a nominal obedience to the Holy Roman Emperor but practically independent in the management of their internal affairs and their external relations with one another. Austria enjoyed an imperial dignity but Prussia was a stronger military power and therefore a formidable rival. There was no love lost between these states of Germany as they were fighting busy in fighting with one another.  Napoleon contributed a great deal of unification of Germany by simplifying the political map of Germany by reducing the number of independent states from more then two hundred two thirty nine. He also abolished the Holy Roman Empire in 1806 and developed a sense of equality among the Germans through his codes. He also fostered the spirit of national feeling among the Germans by his domination over them.

3.  The Congress of Vienna established a loose confederation of 39 states under the leadership of Austria in Germany. However, one remarkable change brought by the Vienna Settlement was the increase in power of Prussia. Prussia being one of the partners and victors along with England, Austria and Russia got full share of the spoils of the conquered. Her power was increased as a result of the acquisition of half of Saxony, Swedish, Pomerania, Posen, Westphalia and the Rhine.  The decisions of Vienna Congress belied the hopes and aspirations of the German people. So after 1815 various German philosophers, patriots and students started revolutionary propaganda in Germany especially in the University of Jena. In which they talked of morality, patriotism and national unity. But Metternich of Austria, by getting passed by the Carlsbad decrees, suppressed the sentiments of the nationalism and liberalism in Germany.

4.  In 1818 Prussia formed a Custom Union or Zollverin with her neighbouring states and by 1836 all the states of Germany except Austria joined it. It made Germany a commercial and fiscal unit and paved the way for political union and drew the Germans towards the leadership of Prussia.  In spite of the repressive measures of Metternich, the July Revolution of 1830 in France aroused some excitement in Germany and revolts broke out in many German states against their despotic rulers. But Metternich suppressed them with an Iron hand. Again in 1848, when the flames of the uprising in France flew across the Rhine, there broke out revolutions all over Germany. This time Metternich had to run for his life to England. The liberals who met at a National Convention at Frankfurt in 1848 offered the Imperial Crown to Fredrick William IV of Prussia but to the dismay of the liberals, he refused to accept it as he feared it might incur the enmity of Austria and lead to a war with her. However, the movement of German unification was carried on enthusiastically after 1848 to which finally bore fruitful results.  A new era was started in Prussia and Germany by the Prime Ministership of Bismarck. He adopted ‘Blood and Iron Policy’ to provide a concrete base to accomplish the German unity.

5.  In 1864, when the new Danish King Charles IX declared the incorporation of the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein in Denmark, Bismarck with great diplomatic skill persuaded Austria to come forward for joint intervention in the affairs of the Duchies. On Feb 1, 1864 a joint Austrian and Prussian Army entered the territory of Denmark. After feeble resistance, the Danes abundant a hopeless struggle in October 1864 by the Treaty of Vienna, Denmark renounced all her rights to the two duchies. The war with Denmark was no doubt was over but the duchies became an apple of discord between the victors. After much discussions and deliberations, quarrels and bickering the convention of Gastein was signed in Aug 1865, and the partners divided their spoils. Prussia was administer Schleswig and Austria Holstein.

6.  Apart from many causes, the Holstein affair hastened the war. Bismarck began to criticize the Austrian liberal policy in Holstein. Besides, finding it difficult to rule over this distant province, Austria was contemplating to hand it over to the Duke of Augustenburg. This was regarded by Bisamarck as an unfriendly act of violation of the Gastein Convention. He despatched prussian troops to occupy Holstein and war between Austria and Prussia broke out. On July 3, 1866 Prussia inflicted a crushing defeat on Austria at Sadowa.

7.  In 1867, confederation of 22 North German states under the hegemony of Prussia was formed. By it all the states north of the River Main were united. Bismarck got prepared a constitution for this confederation which was enforced on July 1, 1867.

8.  The final stage came with the Franco-Prussian war, 1870-71. after the battle of Sadowa in 1866, Bismarck determined to fight a war with France. So on the question of vacant Spanish throne a dispute over its succession, picked up a quarrel with Napoleon III of France. He defeated Napoleon III in the battle of Sedan and forced him to surrender along with 80,000 men. France had to surrender Alsace and Lorraine to Prussia. The war thus hastened the creation of a Prussianized German Empire.  Thus, the formation of German Empire was formally announced in a ceremony held in the famous Hall of Mirrors at Versailles in France, where the King of Prussia William I declared the Emperor of Germany. This resulted the unification of Germany.