German Unification Otto von Bismarck Proclamation of German

German Unification Otto von Bismarck Proclamation of German Empire in Versailles Reunification Anniversary Jewish Temple in Germany

Steps Toward Unification • 1815 - Congress of Vienna – 39 states = German Confederation • 1848 - Liberals in Prussia revolt – Prussian King Frederick Wilhelm IV tricks citizens into believing he wants democracy

Steps Toward Unification • Economic unity – 1834 - Zollvereins remove tariffs – Develop railroad system • Cultural unity – Nationalism spread through music – Richard Wagner (composer)

Bismarck’s Plan for Unification • Fights Denmark over 2 small states – Allies with Austria • Trades with Italy – Italy gets Venetia – Prussia gets support to fight Austria – In process convinces France to remain neutral

Bismarck’s Plan for Unification • Austro-Prussian War – Provokes by sending Prussian troops into Austria – King appeals to Prussian nationalism for support – Result - German Confederation destroyed • Franco-Prussian War – Dispute over provinces that were part of Holy Roman Empire and belonged to France in 1870 – Prussian victory unified Germany

The Empire’s Growth and Change Game of “chess” between Bismarck and Pope • Period after 1871 = Second Reich • German states meet at Versailles – Wilhelm becomes first kaiser – Bismarck becomes first chancellor • Federalist government – Power shared between 25 states • Power of Catholic Church limited – Kulturkampf

The Empire’s Growth and Change • France pay’s reparations – Transportation – Railroads • Socialists want state to control industry – Bismarck dislikes socialists • Bismarck develops policies of healthcare and disability etc. • 1888 - Wilhelm II becomes Kaiser and fires Bismarck