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Bismarck's Rise to Power
Otto Von Bismarck was a politician of Prussia. Bismarck opposed democracy and the parliament. He believed people should hold their own authority. -
The Danish War
In 1863 Christian IX took the Danish throne, and he wanted a new constitution. Prussia and Austria did not agree with making a new Constitution and together they revoked it. When Denmark refused for the constituition to be revoked, Austria and Prussia declared war. After three months of war Denmark surrendered. A peace treaty was made; which started a conflict with Prussia and Austria. -
The Seven Weeks' War
During this war Prussian influence expanded, as they prepared for problems with Austria. Prussia's advance conducts startled the world. The Treaty of Prague ended the seven weeks war, under the rules of this treaty the German Confederation evaporated. Austira surrendered Holistin to Prussia, and Italy gained Venetia. In addition a year later the North German Confederation formed. -
The Franco-Prussian War
Bismack had to persuade independant states in South Germany to join North Germany confederation. A telegram sent by the king William had insulted the French ambassador, and when the telegram was published the French declared war on Prussia. No outside nation helped France during the war. The war was short, but decisive. The Prussian army defeated the Frecnh army, and Napoleon III surrendered in 1871. France lost Alsace and part of Loriane, and had a huge debt to pay. -
German Empire
Representatives of the Allied German states held a meeting in the hall of mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Here the states declared a unified German empire, Austria was excluded. Berlin became the empires capital. King William I was initiated emperor of the German Empire. Bismarck was named Chief Minister, and gained the nicmane "Iron Chancellor". Even though he didnt like constitutions he passed a constitution uniting the 25 German states into a federal formed government.
