1. German Unification
Bismarck

2. Germany in 1815 Germany was the last European country to unify
After the Congress of Vienna, 39 independent German states

4. TWO MODELS FOR UNIFICATION
BIG GERMANY
(GROSSDEUTSCHLAND)
Small Germany
(Kleindeutschland)
INCLUDES Austria
EXCLUDES Austria

5. WHO WILL DOMINATE?
PRUSSIA
Austria

6. It fundamentally altered the Balance of Power in Europe.

7. Prussia
Prussia wanted to unify these 39 states into a new nation, Germany
Otto von Bismarck was the Prime Minister of Prussia who used Real Politic— pursue goals by any means necessary (go to war, lie, break treaties)

8. BLOOD & IRON
"The position of Prussia in Germany will not be determined by its liberalism but by its power... Not through speeches and majority decisions will the great questions of the day be decided “but by iron and blood.”
-- Otto von Bismarck (1862)

9. Administered by Prussia
Schleswig
Administered by Prussia
HOLSTEIN
Administered by Austria

10. Austro-Prussian War
1866
Georg Bleibtreu, Battle of Königgrätz (

12. The United Germany Franco-Prussian war in 1870
Battlefield of Sedan on 2nd September 1870
Prussian victory
On 18th January 1871
in the Mirror Hall of Versailles
Wilhelm I becomes Kaiser (emperor);
United Germany was born
Bismarck becomes Chancellor (Prime Minister)
Each state has a local ruler, army, & handles its own domestic affairs
Kaiser heads national government

13. 5,000,000,000 ₣
reparation
Alsace-Lorraine included many French speakers, and many German speakers there resented annexation into the Empire.
Map Credit: David Liuzzo