Wars of German Unification

The Wars of German Unification were a series of conflicts in the 19th century that led to the unification of various independent German states into a single nation, Germany, in 1871. Key events included the Second Schleswig War (1864), the Austro-Prussian War (1866), and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). Otto von Bismarck, the Prussian prime minister, played a crucial role in orchestrating these wars to strengthen Prussia's position and unify Germany under its leadership. The conflicts shifted power in Europe, leading to the establishment of the German Empire and altering alliances and tensions among European nations.