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France occupied many countries during the wars, nationalist movements in the occupied territories resisted against the French, especially in Spain

Spread nationalism throughout Europe.

After the widespread bloodshed and death, Europe never wanted to face such tragedies again. They tried to balance powers and keep peace among the major powers

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Redrew the borders of Europe

New borders were meant to balance the great powers and keep the world at peace, as European leaders wanted to maintain old order/regime

This had the effect of suppressing subsequent nationalist movements

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Johann Gustav Droysen: Speech to the Frankfurt Assembly, 1848

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Johann Gustav Droysen: Speech to the Frankfurt Assembly, 1848

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Prussia is superior to Austria as the former is focused on reform and nationalism while the latter is destructive and violent

Prussia is fully German while it’s impossible for Austria to be

A unified Germany needs a powerful ruling house

Prussia will be the one to unify Germany

Citation: "Johann Gustav Droysen (German historian & elected official of the Frankfurt parliament): Speech to the Frankfurt Assembly, 1848"

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Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia: Proclamation of 1849

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Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia: Proclamation of 1849

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King of Prussia rejects the title of King of Germany

Says that the National Assembly doesn’t have the right to grant him the crown

Also, the crown was offered on the condition that the King would accept a constitution that isn’t aligned with his beliefs

Hinders reunification

Citation: "Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia (Largest German State): Proclamation of 1849"

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Otto von Bismarck: “Letter to Minister von Manteuffel”, 1856

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Otto von Bismarck: “Letter to Minister von Manteuffel”, 1856

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Because of the Congress of Vienna, Prussia and Austria were crammed in too small of a space (not enough space for the both of them)

Austria remained a threat to Prussia- it was the only state they could permanently lose to (i.e. get annexed by), or the only state they could permanently gain from (i.e. annex)

In the near future, Prussia and Austria will fight for their respective existences and only one will come out on top

Citation: "Otto von Bismarck: Letter to Minister von Manteuffel (Prussian Prime Minister), 1856"

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Otto von Bismarck: Blood & Iron Speech, 1862

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Otto von Bismarck: Blood & Iron Speech, 1862

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The speech given by Bismarck about the unification of Germany.

States how unification of Germany to create one nation-state would occur only through industrialization and war. He would do whatever necessary to complete his task.

Described the usage of “realpolitiks,” which was using realistic means and ways to achieve goals in politics.

Citation: "Otto von Bismarck: Blood & Iron Speech"

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Prussia vs. Denmark War (Feb 1 1864 - Oct 30 1864) 

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Prussia vs. Denmark War (Feb 1 1864 - Oct 30 1864) 

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The second dispute fought between the Prussia-Austria alliance and Denmark about the Schleswig-Holstein territory. Caused by a violation of the treaty created in the first war.

Austria and Germany hoped to acquire the Schleswig-Holstein territory as the Danish King was trying to illegally integrate it into Denmark.

Leader of Prussian troops reformed the military, making the Prussian army very powerful.

Gave Prussia power and weakened Austria to ultimately unify Germany.

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War between Prussia and Austria and other German states that ended with Prussian victory; thus excluding Austria from Germany.

Caused by the dispute that occurred after the Second Schleswig War where Prussia and Austria agreed to jointly occupied Denmark. Disagreements on how to rule this land.

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The war between Prussia and Austria was expected and was with the goal to establish Prussian power in Germany, not because Prussia felt threatened or wanted to grow its territory.

Austria was not strong enough to protect Germany, and Prussia stepped forward to assume leadership.

Citation: "Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke (Prussian army): 1866"

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Here, Bismarck says that Prussia did not want to completely ruin Austria or have a bloody and destructive war because the prospects of allyship between Prussia and Austria is a possibility.

If Austria sought revenge, it would ally with other powerful nations and it would ultimately harm Prussia.

Their task was not to destroy Austria but to establish and unify Germany under the King of Prussia.

Citation: "Otto von Bismarck: 1866"

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This war was between France and the North German Confederation (led by Prussia)

France caused this war through its desire to regain control over Europe after Prussia obtained more territory and power after defeating Austria

Bismark (who was leading Prussia) was seen as the mastermind behind this plan and is often seen as provoking France to war so Germany could obtain more territories and unite

France invaded Germany but Germany much more effectively overwhelmed France with military power and numbers meaning within the year Germany had won

The German states that had previously been ruled by France now became united as the German Empire, for the first time in history. Not only did Germany gain land but also billions of francs

This was significant because the expedition of German unification meant a massive new European superpower, increased influence and stature for Germany, and increased militarization

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The Imperial Proclamation, January 18, 1871

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The Imperial Proclamation, January 18, 1871

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The proclamation of the German Empire occurred after the German states had won more territories from France in the Franco-Prussian war

German states would now be unified under a single Empire and emperor

Prussian King William I was declared to be emperor of the German Empire and a new constitution was drawn to apply to all people in the German States; this was significant in the same way that german unification was

“We, Wilhelm, by the grace of God King of Prussia, do herewith declare that we have considered it a duty to our common fatherland to answer the summons of the united German princes and cities and to accept the German imperial title”-- believed it was the divine duty to unite all of the German states together under one leader

Citation: "The Imperial Proclamation (Wilhelm I, King), January 18, 1871"

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In 1871, the unification of Germany created a German empire rather than many different Nation- states, which was dominated by Prussia

At the Palace of Versailles in France, during the Franco Prussian war princes from various German states met to announce King Wilhelm I of Prussia to be Emperor of the new Empire

This is significant because  before this there was no German national identity; people identified themselves by their ruler not with any empire as a whole

Even though in the 19th century people were brought together, that all ended after the Napoleonic Wars. Despite this many Germans had language and culture in common, and this brought people together legally

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WW1 was one of the deadliest in history- 9 mil died in combat while 5 mil civilians died

Germany was facing a war on two fronts- trying to beat off France and Russia

Part of the reason it started was because of nationalism in all countries involved and the arms race that had been going on before