‘‘Not by parliamentary speeches and majority votes are the great questions of the day determined - that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849 - but by iron and blood.’’
The unification of Germany in 1871 was orchestrated by Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia of the time. Through a series of strategic wars, including the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars, Bismarck secured Prussian dominance and most of south German states joined the North German Confederation with the ceremonial proclamation of the German Empire. The German Empire was officially proclaimed on January 18th 1871, following the defeat of France in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Wilhelm I of Prussia was crowned the German Emperor, marking the consolidation of various German states under Prussian leadership. The unification marked a significant shift in the balance of power in Europe and contributed to the later geopolitical landscape.
Delegates joining this cabinet are expected to assist Otto von Bismarck master plan of unifying the German states and expanding the North German Confederation or simply pursue their own national goals.
