The Unification of Germany
Prior to the 1860's, Germany was a loosely bound multitude of nations known as the German Confederation. Using his Realpolitik combination of diplomacy and military force, Bismarck was able to bring these nations together and unify Germany while keeping Prussia's European dominance.
When King Fredrick VII of Denmark died in November of 1863, Christian IX tried to claim his father's territories. Most in Prussia believed that Fredrick von Augustenburg had the claim. Bismarck made the unpopular opinion that the territories would go to Christian, heir to the throne. However he denounced Christian's wish to annex Schleswig into Denmark. He gave him the ultimatum that Schleswig must be returned to it's former state, and that it must not be annexed. When Christian refused, Austria and Prussia invaded, beginning the Second Schleswig War. Denmark was forced to relinquish their territories.
This would have seemed like a success for von Augustenburg, were it not for Bismarck, who soon removed him from power with a series of disagreeable demands, including that Prussia would have complete control of the militaries for the acquired territories. Originally it should have been that the territories would fall to the Diet of the German Confederation, who would decide what to do with them. However, Bismarck was cunning. He introduced Austria to the Gastein Convention, which would let Prussia have Schleswig and Austria have Holstein, the two main territories in dispute. Austria agreed.
Only a year after the convention was signed, Austria wanted the territories to return to the Diet of the German Confederation. Bismarck accused Austria of violating the convention, and used this to go to war with them. The Austro-Prussian War, as it was called, lasted seven weeks. As of the Peace Treaty of Prague, Austria would no longer be part of German affairs. Many new territories went to Prussia, including Holstein, Frankfurt, and Hannover. This success gave much political support in Prussia to Bismarck. However, it would also increase tensions with other nations.
Napoleon III feared that a strong Germany would tip the balance of power in Europe. Bismarck would not avoid war with France, but he had reasons to fear them. For one, other nations, such as Austria, looking for revenge, or Russia, could ally with the French. He had faith though that Other German states would unite with Prussia in their time of need. War began in 1870, when a German prince was offered the Spanish throne, which had remained vacant for some time. France was not happy with this, and demanded that none of his background would sit the Spanish throne. To provoke France, Bismarck the Ems Dispatch, a piece of conversation between King Wilhelm and the French ambassador for Prussia. It was edited to create implications that would insult both countries.
France mobilized its military on the 19th of July, 1870. As Bismarck had hoped, the rest of Germany came straight to the aid of Prussia. This resulted in great success for Prussia and Germany as a whole. Most of the battles were fought by that August. The remainder of the war resulted in a siege of Paris, as well as the capture of Napoleon III at Sedan.
In the final stage of the Franco-Prussian War the Unification of Germany began to take shape. Bismarck acted quickly to secure unification. He began negotiations with the German states. The negotiations succeeded, mainly through a fierce sense of patriotism. The new German Empire was established, featuring 25 formerly independent constituents, all of whom were given some autonomy. Wilhelm I was made German Emperor. The Emperor was not given complete sovereignty over Germany, he is only Primus inter pares, the first of equals. The Chancellor was given most of the governmental power, and was appointed by the Emperor.
Bismarck was chosen as the first Imperial Chancellor in 1871. he retained most of his Prussian offices in addition. He kept complete control over domestic and foreign policy.
When King Fredrick VII of Denmark died in November of 1863, Christian IX tried to claim his father's territories. Most in Prussia believed that Fredrick von Augustenburg had the claim. Bismarck made the unpopular opinion that the territories would go to Christian, heir to the throne. However he denounced Christian's wish to annex Schleswig into Denmark. He gave him the ultimatum that Schleswig must be returned to it's former state, and that it must not be annexed. When Christian refused, Austria and Prussia invaded, beginning the Second Schleswig War. Denmark was forced to relinquish their territories.
This would have seemed like a success for von Augustenburg, were it not for Bismarck, who soon removed him from power with a series of disagreeable demands, including that Prussia would have complete control of the militaries for the acquired territories. Originally it should have been that the territories would fall to the Diet of the German Confederation, who would decide what to do with them. However, Bismarck was cunning. He introduced Austria to the Gastein Convention, which would let Prussia have Schleswig and Austria have Holstein, the two main territories in dispute. Austria agreed.
Only a year after the convention was signed, Austria wanted the territories to return to the Diet of the German Confederation. Bismarck accused Austria of violating the convention, and used this to go to war with them. The Austro-Prussian War, as it was called, lasted seven weeks. As of the Peace Treaty of Prague, Austria would no longer be part of German affairs. Many new territories went to Prussia, including Holstein, Frankfurt, and Hannover. This success gave much political support in Prussia to Bismarck. However, it would also increase tensions with other nations.
Napoleon III feared that a strong Germany would tip the balance of power in Europe. Bismarck would not avoid war with France, but he had reasons to fear them. For one, other nations, such as Austria, looking for revenge, or Russia, could ally with the French. He had faith though that Other German states would unite with Prussia in their time of need. War began in 1870, when a German prince was offered the Spanish throne, which had remained vacant for some time. France was not happy with this, and demanded that none of his background would sit the Spanish throne. To provoke France, Bismarck the Ems Dispatch, a piece of conversation between King Wilhelm and the French ambassador for Prussia. It was edited to create implications that would insult both countries.
France mobilized its military on the 19th of July, 1870. As Bismarck had hoped, the rest of Germany came straight to the aid of Prussia. This resulted in great success for Prussia and Germany as a whole. Most of the battles were fought by that August. The remainder of the war resulted in a siege of Paris, as well as the capture of Napoleon III at Sedan.
In the final stage of the Franco-Prussian War the Unification of Germany began to take shape. Bismarck acted quickly to secure unification. He began negotiations with the German states. The negotiations succeeded, mainly through a fierce sense of patriotism. The new German Empire was established, featuring 25 formerly independent constituents, all of whom were given some autonomy. Wilhelm I was made German Emperor. The Emperor was not given complete sovereignty over Germany, he is only Primus inter pares, the first of equals. The Chancellor was given most of the governmental power, and was appointed by the Emperor.
Bismarck was chosen as the first Imperial Chancellor in 1871. he retained most of his Prussian offices in addition. He kept complete control over domestic and foreign policy.