Unification of Germany

Unification of Germany

Unification of Germany

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austria

vs

Agricultural economy Southern German states. Old army Catholic

Booming industrial economy Northern German States Modern military Protestants

Prussia

leadership

German nationalists

· Wilhelm I-Emperor of Prussia-fully supported Bismarck Otto Von Bismarck-Chief minister of Prussia. Rejected democracy. Called the Iron chancellor Helmuth Von Moltke-Prussian General-built a strong army and navy that enable Bismarck to achieve succes ·"Germany can only be united by Blood and Iron"

The Franco Prussian WAr 1870- 1871

Austro-Prussian war 1866

The Danish WAr 1864

• Prussian Army humiliated France
• Sept, 1870. French army (80,000 men) surrendered at Sedan.
• Oct, 1870. at Metz, the French Army (about 150,00 men) was encircled and surrendered too.
• Paris was under siege for about five months.

• The effectiveness of modern technology in supporting warfare was determinant.
• Prussia's use of railways to deliver men and materials to the battlefield was highly effective
• Paris faced an economic blockade
• Peace was severe:
• Alsace-Lorraine was ceded to Prussia
• France had to pay 5,000 million marks
• Prussia occupied France until indemnity was paid.
• Prussians had a victory march in Paris, King of Prussia was proclaimed German Emperor in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles.
• The Revanche movement started in the context of a French political, and socio-economic crisis

• Seven Weeks War
• The efficient Prussian army quickly crushed the Austrian forces.
• Bismarck offered merciful peace terms
• Austria paid small indemnity and recognized Prussia's dominance.
• Confederation of the Northern German States

• Denmark wanted to annex Schleswig and Holstein
• This provinces were inhabited by Germans
• Prussia made an alliance with Austria.
• Denmark was defeated.
• Holstein was given to Austria and Schleswig to Prussia.
• Austria and Prussia disagreed with the administration of the provinces

The Franco Prussian WAr 1870- 1871

Austro-Prussian war 1866

The Danish WAr 1864