1. During the early 1800’s, Germans were scattered in Prussia and in the Austrian Hapsburg empire. Napoleon's invasions released new forces in the territories. In Germany in the years 1807 and 1812 Napoleon made important territorial changes. He took pieces of Germany and broke up the holy Roman Empire. Although the Germans enjoyed having him as an Emperor, they sometimes did not concur with his ideas or decisions. People fought to free their lands from French rule so they began to demand a unified German State. Napoleons defeat did not solve any issues. A German confederation was created by peacemakers which was a weak alliance headed by Austria.

2. In the 1830’s Prussia created an economic union called the zollverein. It dismantled tariff barriers between many German states. Still Germany remained politically fragmented. In 1848, a liberals meeting took place in the Frankfurt Assembly once again demanding German political unity. They offered the throne of a united German state to Frederick William IV of Prussia. The Prussia ruler rejected the motion of the throne offered by the people. -Bismarck served as a diplomat in Prussia. -King William the first, made him a prime minister in 1862. - 10 years later the new chancellor (prime minister) had united the German states under Prussian rule.

3. Bismarck was successful because he was a master at realistic politics based on the needs of the state. Power was more important than principles. Bismarck was the architect of German unity. He also was loyal to the Hohenzollerns. He ruled Prussia by dynasty. Bismarck moved to build up the Prussian army. After his “blood and iron” speech, the legislature re used money to vote funds for the military. After Bismarck heard it, he strengthened the army with money that had been collected for other purposes. 10 years after Bismarck led Prussia into three wars. Each was increased the Prussian power.

4. - Bismarck's 1st priority was to form an alliance with Austria in 1864. -He seized provinces of Schleswig and Holstein from Denmark. -Prussia and Austria freed the two provinces which was mostly owned by German’s and divided up by spoils. -Bismarck came up with a reason to attack Austria in 1866. -Prussia resulted with a victory in the 7th week Austroprussia war. -After his victory Prussia took control of seven other north German states. -The Austrian led German confederation and created a new confederation dominated by Prussia. -Bismarck allowed Austria along with four other southern German states two remain independent. -Bismarck had once said “ we had to avoid leaving behind any desire for revenge”.

5. –In France, the Prussian victory over Austria worried Napoleon III. This conflict between these two nations led or caused the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. Bismarck liked being known as a trouble maker to bother and annoy the German nationalism. Napoleon III didn’t avoid wars, he did this because he wanted to mask problems at home with military glory. Bismarck made problems worse by rewriting and then releasing to the press on a telegram that a meeting between King William I and the French ambassador.