German Unification

U4/Ch. 22AP European History

Ms. Tully - UHS

Foundations of Unification

• Frankfurt Assembly & 1848 Revolutions

• PR & AUS only German states powerful enough to dominate German affairs

• Zollverein – German customs union formed in 1834

• New king William I (1861-1888) wanted to expand/reform PR military

• PR Parliament increasingly controlled by middle class

Otto von Bismarck

• Master politician Realpolitik

• From Junker class conservative aristocrat

• Bismarck pursues military reform blames liberals for breakdown of gov’t

• Pursued active foreign policy

The Danish War (1864)

• 1863 - Denmark moved to incorporated duchies of Schleswig & Holstein

• Bismarck persuaded AUS to join PR join war on DNM

• PR & AUS divided administration of S & H

The Austro-Prussia War (1866)

• Bismarck persuaded RUS, FR, IT, & GB to remain neutral

• Joint admin of S & H excuse for war

• Generous peace treaty w/ AUS • 1867 GR states north of Main river

organized into new North Germany Confederation

• Turning point in PR domestic affairs

The Franco-Prussian War (1870)

• FR would not approve of GR empire• Controversy over Spanish succession led

to war July 15, 1870• PR a military BEAST• Sept. 2nd, 1870 FR army surrenders @

Sedan • FR paid big time• Jan. 18th, 1871 in Hall of Mirrors at

Versailles King William I declared head of 2nd GR empire