Unification of Germany

Prussian Leadership

• The Congress of Vienna had created the German Confederation which consisted of 38 independent states.

• Prussia would lead the unification movement.

Otto Von Bismarck1815-1898

• The Iron Chancellor• Bismarck was

determined to unify Germany under the leadership of Prussia.

• To unify Germany Bismarck would follow a policy of “blood and iron”.

The Prussian Army

• Bismarck forced the Reichstag to approve his army budget.

• Bismarck created and used a powerful army to remove all obstacles to unification

Count Helmuth Von Moltke

• Was named chief of the Prussian General Staff in 1858.

• Von Moltke engineered the military successes Bismarck would need to unify Germany.

German Unity

• This is a French political cartoonist view of the ruthless means employed by Bismarck to obtain German unity.

Austro - Prussian War 1866

• The Seven Weeks War • Austrian domination

of the German States ended.

• The northern German States combined into a confederation.

The Franco Prussian War1870-1871

• Bismarck provoked France into declaring war against Prussia.

• EMS dispatch• The four remaining

German States fueled by nationalism join the Prussia in it’s war against France.

Bismarck Dictates Peace Terms

• Franco - Prussian War resulted in a humiliating defeat for France.

• France was forced to :• Pay an indemnity of 5

billion gold Francs.• Support a German

army of occupation.

Alsace and Lorraine

• France would also surrender the territories of Alsace and Lorraine.

• The humiliating defeat and surrender terms would lead to the French people wanting revenge against Germany.

The Unification Of Germany1871

• On January 18, 1871 at the Palace of Versailles King William I of Prussia was crowned Emperor of a united Germany.

• Bismarcks plans to unify Germany were now complete.

Germany Under Bismarck

• Bismarck pursued policies of :

• nationalism• industrialization• social reform• the isolation of France

through forming alliances with Britian and Russia.

Social Policies

• Bismarck knew that the loyalty of industrial workers was the key to keeping Germany strong.

• Bismarck provided workers with: health insurance,accident benefits, money at retirement.

Kaiser Wilhelm II1859-1941

• Was unwilling to share power and forced Bismarck to resign.

• Wilhelm’s policies allowed France to form alliances with England and France .

• Set the stage for WWI