German Unification Timeline
Category: Other
Updated: 26 Nov 2019
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Created byDylan Tchang
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Napoleon I creates German ConfederationKing Frederick William IV of Prussia concedes to liberals, promising to create unified German state with Prussia inside itNew
eventFrederick William IV of Prussia renounces liberal constitution, setting up divide between the Prussian Crown and liberal revolutionariesRussia and Austria, fearing an upset in the balance of power in Europe, compel Prussia to stop the creation of a unified German stateZollverein (German customs union) forges feeling of national unity among the business classes. Only Austria is excluded from this pact (by Prussia)Having gained the timid respect of a liberal parliament through a forceful personality and determination to increase Prussia's prestige abroad, Count Otto von Bismarck of Prussia fights a war with Austria to humiliate the weaker German power. He does so in just six weeks, granting generous peace terms as a method by which to make unification easier in the long runFranco-Prussian War begins, fought nominally over a small diplomatic dispute, but really intended by Bismarck to pave the way to German unificationBismarck's forces defeat the French once for all, with Austria staying out of the war due to the generous matter in which it was treated by Prussia in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War. Bismarck punishes France for its loss, charging 5 billion francs and taking Alsace and Lorraine from France. Finally, the unification of Germany was complete, with the south region joining the north at last, all the result of a shrewd war fought at Bismarck's behest
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