Unification of Germany

German Confederation

made up of 38 states

William IV

king of prussia, refused to become king of Germany because he doesn't want to accept throne from people since it undermines his divine rights

Otto von Bismarck

chancellor of Prussia that launched Blood and Iron, highly conservative, believed that the German Confederation should be unified under Prussia 

Blood and Iron

 unification of Germany will be brought about through the strength of the military forged in iron and the blood spilled through warfare.

Realpolitik

 system of politics or principles based on practical rather than moral or ideological considerations; efficiency is more important than ideology

Social Welfare

provided health insurance, accident insurance, and retirement benefits

Danish War

austria and prussia declare war against the danish due to their attempt to lay claim to German speaking territories, unified front split Danes

Schleswig-Holstein

region in Germany that was controlled by the Danes and controlled after the Danish war by the Germans

Seven Weeks’ war (Austro-Prussian War)

Prussians launch war against Austria for control of the newly acquired Danish lands, Prussia defeats Austria and acquires territories and some states in north portion

Franco-Prussian War

prussia shifted its attention to france, used the ems dispatch to instigate a war against France, defeated France and acquired Alsace-Lorraine