World History 10
Mr. Sawicki
2014
German Unification Assignment
Form Groups of Four
Look up the following event or person, and write a brief summary of it. Be able to
explain why it is important to German Unification: Include important dates!
1. Battle of Jena
2. Stein-Hardenberg Reforms – 1814-1817 The Stein-Hardenberg Reforms started in 1807 and finished in
1815. The reforms covered the state economy, education and military. These reforms abolished serfdom,
allowing peasants to become land owners and opening military to all based on skill not just birth. The
education reforms made it so they were taught more about themselves and their history. Being taught
about their history was important and would bring more Germans together.
3. Congress of Vienna: 1814-1815 The congress of Vienna was an assembly. This assembly reorganized
Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. The congress began in September of 1814. According to a decision
made, a Diet, or loosely framed parliament for the whole German Confederation was to be formed.
4. Carlsbad Decrees – 1819 were reactionary restrictions introduced to the German states from the
Budesversammlang revolution on September 20th. The decrees banned nationalist fraternities, removed
liberal university professors and expanded censorship. More power to the state.
5. Hambach Festival- 1832 – students march to castle. They want a republic government rule of law. Helps
German unification because it is a showing of freedom and expression
6. Zollverein – 1834 free trade with neighboring states. This helps German unification because they get
money from each other and it helps the economies.
7. 1848 Revolution – 1848 – 1871. People want democracy and the demands of the working class. This leads
to more people wanting nationalism and it helps German unification because the people are working
together for their rights and for democracy
8. Frankfurt Parliament- 1848-49. The first freely elected government in Germany. It was helpful to German
unification because it met the demands of liberals and the national movements.
9. Erfurt Union 1849 – union of German states. The German confederation was dissolved. They want a new
constitution so the German states work together to create this.
10. Otto Von Bismarck made Prime Minister- 1862-1890 Prime minister of Prussia. He helped keep the peace
in Europe for 20 years. It helped unification because there was less fighting.
11. Ems Dispatch 1870 – It caused France to declare the Franco-Prussian war.
12. The birth of the Second Reich – 1871 was important for German unification because the German Empire
would draw America closer to France.
13. Kulturampf – 1871 – 1878 – they try to make Catholics more loyal to state then to the church. They help
German unification because now they make country first not religion.
14. The Danish War 1864 – was the second war Prussia wants to unify the Danes and the Schleswig of
Denmark so they can then be a part of Germany. This helps German unification because they want the
Duch and Schlewig to be one group.
15. The Seven Weeks’ War-1866 known as the unification war. Prussia won dominance which led to King
Wilhem becoming the German Emperor. This leads Germany to unify.
16.Franco-Prussian War- 1870 – 1871 This was a war between France and Prussia. Brought about the final
unification of Germany
World History 10
Mr. Sawicki
2014
17.Kaiser William II – 1884 – Germany now has health insurance and other social reforms. This
helps German unification because Germany starts taking care of its own people.
*Find 6 additional events for a total of 20 that you think are important to German
unification
Your group should divide the content to move the first part of the assignment along
Find or create a timeline of German unification that begins with the Battle of Jena and ends
with the Franco-Prussian War
*Each of you should have your own timeline!
Individually create a one-pager that you can print out using word, ppt. or publisher.
A one-pager is a mini collage used to tell the story of an event. Choose a picture that
best represents to you each event on your timeline and its significance.
Rule number one of a one-pager: No white on the finished page!
You will be switching groups and explaining your choice of pictures (and the associated
events) to people in other groups on Friday so be prepared!
Finally, complete the graphic organizer