German Unification

German Unification

Period: 1815 to 1888

German confederation

Jan 8, 1815

Creation of the German Confederation under the presidency of Austria. Prussia and Austria were the two most powerful German states.

Zollverein

Jul 11, 1834

Customs unions that removed tariffs on products traded between German states.This economic agreement helped to increase the momentum towards unification.

Revolution of 1848

Mar 1, 1848

This event was a liberal revolution that began when the desire for German unification grew. It took place in southern and western German states was led by well-educated students who wanted German national unity, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. It had a negative effect because it forced liberals into exile.

William I of Prussia becomes Emperor

Jan 2, 1861

Otto von Bismarck

Sep 23, 1862

Otto von Bismarck becomes minister president of Prussia

Austria and Prussia vs. Denmark

Feb 1, 1864

Bismarck joined forces with Austria and declared war. They easily defeated Denmark.

Bismarck declares war on Austria

Jun 14, 1866

This led to the unification of the Northern Germanic states. But this left out Prussia.

Bismarck drafts the constitution

Mar 11, 1867

Bismarck drafted a constitution for his new German Empire. The constitution set up a two-house legislature, the upper house was mad up of the German State rulers and the lower house was made up of the universal male sufferage.

Bismarck’s rise to power

Jan 14, 1870

Second reich

Jan 18, 1871

Germany celebrated the birth of their second reich or empire.

Bismarck becomes prime minister

Nov 9, 1873

Campaign against the Socialists

Oct 18, 1878

Series of acts in Germany began to try and get rid of socialist ideas. The government didn't want the democratic, socialist ideas spreading and causing revolution, Bismarck was also against it.

William II becomes Kaiser

Dec 19, 1888