Bismarck Notes Bismarck appointed Chancellor of Prussia in 1862 Government needed money for military.

y. As appointed Chancellor, Bismarck simply told the representatives that taxes were to be raised King of Denmark dies with no heirs in November 1863 Schleswig and Holstein were governed by Denmark Leaders of the two Duchies refused new king, a distant relative of previous monarch Bismarck persuades Austria to take joint military action against Denmark to liberate Duchies Bismarck isnt confident that Prussia can defeat Denmark on its own January 1864, the joint forces march through Holstein. Campaign ends in summer of 1864 (Danish War) New Danish King gives up the two Duchies to the forces of Austria and Prussia Issue of governance is unresolved until summer of 1865 Convention of Gastein August 1864 Austria to govern Holstein Prussia to govern Schleswig BOTH nations to retain sovereignty over both Duchies Bismarck prepares for war with Austria Bismarck signs secret alliance with Italy in April 1866 If Prussia declares war on Austria within 3 months of signing, Italy will enter war to create a Southern front Italy would receive Venetia if the war is successful Bismarck had previously closed borders to Polish nationalistic refugees fleeing Russia On good terms with Russia Bismarck had talked of helping Napoleon III with campaign to capture Luxembourg On good terms with France Bismarck agitates Austria into declaring war on Prussia (Seven Weeks War) Introduces reforms to Diet of the German Confederation, pushing for members of Assembly to be elected by ALL men instead of restricting voters to landowners Austria mobilizes troops in the beginning of May 1866

 Prussia opens talks of international conference in May 1866 Austria refuses Prussia mobilizes troops at the end of May 1866

Prussian troops march to Hanover, Hesse-Cassel and Saxony in June 1866 All three states had allied with Austria None resist Italy honours alliance and attacks Austria Italy is defeated quickly Prussia sends 3 armies to Bohemia July 2 1866, Austrian Commander telegraphs Vienna, reporting that their army will be annihilated unless peace is made Emperor refuses to make peace Battle of Konnigratz on July 3 1866 250 000 soldiers on each side, equally matched Austrians caught in horns of Prussian soldiers with new needle guns, capable of firing 5 times the rate of the Austrian rifles Austria forced into a disorderly retreat Peace of Prague in August 1866 Remodelled the German Confederation Schleswig, Holstein, Hesse-Cassel, Nassav, Frankfurt and 4 million inhabitants became the North German Confederation German states south of the Main River became the South German Confederation Separation into two German Confederations avoids military reaction from France Austria forced to pay small reparation Bismarck signs secret treaty with South German Confederation If Prussia was attacked, South German forces would fall under Prussian command If any of the four South German states were attacked by France, Prussia troops would join the German state in defence Spanish King had died in September 1868 during revolutions

 Vacant throne needed to be filled and the closest relative is a German prince of the Hohensollern-Sigmaringen family, a distant cousin of the Prussian Emperor Bismarck convinces the cousin to accept the throne France worried about having Prussian Kings in both Prussia and Spain, and threatened war if Prussian prince took the Spanish throne Prussian King sends a message to Berlin to tell his government about the French ultimatum Bismarck edits the telegram to provoke France to start FrancoPrussian War in July 1870 Prussia wins War in May 1871 FEW NOTES ON FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR I NEED TO MAKE MORE IN-DEPTH NOTES ON THIS