Background Info to the Great War 1870 - 1914 World War I Background Info to the Great War 1870 - 1914
German Unification As recently as 1870, Germany did not yet exist The area that was to become Germany was a grouping of separate German states (Prussia, Bavaria, etc.) Prussia was the largest and it was Prussia that would lead them all to unification
Otto von Bismarck Chancellor of Prussia Architect of unification
Franco - Prussian War Finalized German unification and humiliated the French who were crushed Germans dictated peace terms to the French at Versailles in the Hall of Mirrors in 1871
Alliance System Otto von Bismarck was responsible for a system of alliances to protect German power and growth It was also designed to isolate and weaken France
Triple Alliance Triple Entente