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| 1815 | Birth
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von |  |
| Oct 1st | Birth of Otto Furst von Bismarck |
| 1847 | Diet of Magdeburg
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Called on by the Magdeburg estate to represent it at the United Diet |
| 1847 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Bismarck is elected to the Vereinigter Landtag |
| 1847 | Marriage
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Bismarck marries Johanna von Puttkamer |
| 1847 | Speech
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Makes maiden speech outraging the Assembly by his reactionary views |
| 1849 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Elected Member of the Erfurt Parliament, a Prussian representitive |
| | Bismarck is elected to the Landtag |
| 1849 | Erfurt Parliament
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Appointed one of Prussia's representatives at the Erfurt Parliament, an assembly of German states that meets to discuss plans for union, but only in order to oppose that body's proposals more effectively |
| | The Erfurt Parliament fails to bring about unification because of the opposition of Prussia & Austria |
| 1849 | Unification
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Appointed one of Prussia's representatives at the Erfurt Parliament, an assembly of German states that meets to discuss plans for union, but only in order to oppose that body's proposals more effectively |
| | The Erfurt Parliament discusses German unification but Bismarck is opposed |
| | The Erfurt Parliament fails to bring about unification because of the opposition of Prussia & Austria |
| | Bismarck opposes the unification of Germany arguing Prussia would lose its independence in the process |
| 1851 | Delegate
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Frederick William appoints Bismarck as Prussia's envoy to the Diet of the German Confederation in Frankfurt |
| 1852 | Diet of Frankfurt
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Becomes convinced that Prussia would have to ally itself with other German states in order to countervail Austria's growing influence, accepts of the notion of a united German nation |
| | Frederick William appoints Bismarck as Prussia's envoy to the Diet of the German Confederation in Frankfurt |
| 1852 | Unification
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Becomes convinced that Prussia would have to ally itself with other German states in order to countervail Austria's growing influence, accepts of the notion of a united German nation |
| 1855 | Conference of Vienna
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Remains neutral hoping to win Russian friendship at a later date |
| 1859 | Ambassador
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | William takes over the Government of Prussia as Regent, he replaces Bismarck as Envoy in Frankfurt and makes Bismarck Prussia's Ambassador to the Russian Empire |
| 1859 | Reichstag
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May 10th | The Liberals have a majority in the Landtag & William dissolves it |
| 1862 | Ambassador
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Appointed Ambassador to France |
| 1862 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Meets Disraeli & plays the role of a future Premier |
| | Meets Napolean who sounds Bismarck out on a possible Alliance betwen Germany & France |
| | Outlines his general policy for the next 10 years for army reform & German unification |
| 1862 | Reform
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 19th | The Landtag refuses to carry out reforms of the Army |
| 1862 | Abdication
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 21st | Persuades William not to abdicate & ends the Constitutional Crisis |
| Sep 21st | Promises to manage Parliament & put through reforms in defiance of Parliament |
| 1862 | Budget
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 21st | Saves the King from the Liberals in the House of Deputies over army expansion |
| 1862 | Government
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 21st | Promises to form a Government & put through reforms in defiance of Parliament |
| 1862 | Minister
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 21st | Appointed Minister President of Prussia |
| 1862 | Budget
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 30th | Asks the Landtag to increase the Army Budget |
| Sep 30th | Says great issues of the day will be decided by "iron & blood" |
| 1863 | Convention
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Renewal of friendship with Russia |
| 1863 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | A liberal coalition led by the Progressive Party, Fortschrittspartei, wins 2/3 of the votes to the House of Deputies |
| | Bismarck retains power because he had the support of Wilhelm who fears a liberal ministry |
| 1863 | Press Decree
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Bismarck issues an edict restricting the freedom of the press |
| June 1st | Bans all publications intended to bring the crown, state or Church into disrepute |
| 1863 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Oct | Bismarck's supporters do poorly in the elections in which a liberal coalition (whose primary member was the Progress Party) win over two-thirds of the seats in the House |
| Oct | The House makes repeated calls to the King to dismiss Bismarck, but the King supports him as he feared that if he dismissed him, a liberal ministry would follow |
| 1863 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Nov 28th | Allies with Austria after declaration of Danish union over Schleswig-Holstein |
| 1863 | Constitution
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Nov 28th | The House of Deputies passes a resolution declaring that it could no longer come to terms with Bismarck, the King dissolves the Diet, accusing it of trying to obtain unConstitutional control over the ministry |
| Nov 28th | Allies with Austria after the Danish King declares unification with Schleswig-Holst |
| 1863 | Rule of Schleswig Holstein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Nov 28th | Allies with Austria after declaration of Danish unity over Schleswig-Holstei |
| 1864 | Invasion of Holstein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia & Austria invade Holstein & Lauenburg |
| 1865 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Schleswig Holstein swears allegiance to Prussia & joins the Prussian armed forces |
| 1865 | Conditions February
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Schleswig Holstein swears allegiance to Prussia & joins the Prussian armed forces |
| | Under the "February Conditions" Schleswig & Holstein enter the Zollverein |
| 1865 | Peerage
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Created Graf von Bismarck-Schonhausen |
| 1865 | Unification
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Under the "February Conditions" Prussian troops garrison a Confederate fortress |
| | Under the "February Conditions" Schleswig & Holstein enter the Zollverein |
| 1865 | Zollverein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Under the "February Conditions" Schleswig & Holstein enter the Zollverein |
| 1865 | Rule of Holstein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 20th | Bismarck induces Austria to agree to the Gastein Convention, under this agreement Prussia receives Schleswig, while Austria receives Holstein |
| 1865 | Rule of Schleswig
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 20th | Bismarck induces Austria to agree to the Gastein Convention, under this agreement Prussia receives Schleswig, while Austria receives Holstein |
| 1865 | Treaty of Gastein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 20th | Bismarck induces Austria to agree to the Gastein Convention, under this agreement Prussia receives Schleswig, while Austria receives Holstein |
| Aug 20th | Uses the treaty to isolate Austria from the German states |
| 1865 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Oct 4th | Visits Napoleon III in Biarritz |
| Oct 4th | Makes a vague promise to France of some Belgian French speaking land |
| Oct 4th | Persuades France to be neutral in the conflict with Austria over Schleswig & Holstein |
| 1866 | Budget
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The new, largely conservative House is on much better terms with Bismarck than previous bodies; at the Minister-President's request, it retroactively approved the budgets of the past four years, which had been implemented without parliamentary conse |
| | Admits that the budget is unConstitutional in a bid to pacify the Liberals |
| | Raises a budget for the 1st time since 1862 |
| 1866 | Capture of Frankfurt
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia annexes Schleswig, Holstein, Frankfurt, Hanover, Hesse-Kassel, and Nassau; and Austria promised not to intervene in German affairs |
| 1866 | Capture of Hanover
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia annexes Schleswig, Holstein, Frankfurt, Hanover, Hesse-Kassel, and Nassau; and Austria promised not to intervene in German affairs |
| 1866 | Capture of Hesse Kassel
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia annexes Schleswig, Holstein, Frankfurt, Hanover, Hesse-Kassel, and Nassau; and Austria promised not to intervene in German affairs |
| 1866 | Capture of Holstein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia annexes Schleswig, Holstein, Frankfurt, Hanover, Hesse-Kassel, and Nassau; and Austria promised not to intervene in German affairs |
| 1866 | Capture of Nassau
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia annexes Schleswig, Holstein, Frankfurt, Hanover, Hesse-Kassel, and Nassau; and Austria promised not to intervene in German affairs |
| 1866 | Capture of Schleswig
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia annexes Schleswig, Holstein, Frankfurt, Hanover, Hesse-Kassel, and Nassau; and Austria promised not to intervene in German affairs |
| 1866 | Constitution
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia quickly defeated Austria and its allies, in a crushing victory at the battle of K”niggr„tz followed by the Peace of Prague the German Confederation is dissolved |
| 1866 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | In the elections to the House of Deputies the liberals suffer a major defeat, losing their large majority |
| | The new, largely conservative House is on much better terms with Bismarck than previous bodies; at the Minister-President's request, it retroactively approved the budgets of the past four years, which had been implemented without parliamentary conse |
| | Conservative victory in the chamber of 142 |
| | Has a sufficient majority to raise an army reform budget for the 1st time in 5 yrs |
| | The election is held during the battle of Konigratz |
| 1866 | German Confederation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia quickly defeated Austria and its allies, in a crushing victory at the battle of K”niggr„tz followed by the Peace of Prague the German Confederation is dissolved |
| 1866 | Reform
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Gets Bill of Indemnity passed |
| | No need to guarantee accountability of Ministers to Parliament |
| 1866 | Unification
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussia quickly defeated Austria and its allies, in a crushing victory at the battle of K”niggr„tz followed by the Peace of Prague the German Confederation is dissolved |
| | Prussia annexes Schleswig, Holstein, Frankfurt, Hanover, Hesse-Kassel, and Nassau; and Austria promised not to intervene in German affairs |
| 1866 | Zollverein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The Zollverein is effectively ended in 1866 with the advent of the Austro-Prussian War |
| 1866 | German Confederation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 14th | Prussian delegates declare the German Confederation at an end |
| 1866 | Invasion of Holstein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 14th | The Federal Diet votes for mobilization against Prussia for it's invasion of Holstein |
| 1866 | Invasion of Hanover
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 15th | Prussia invades Hanover |
| 1866 | Invasion of Hesse
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 15th | Prussia invades Hesse |
| 1866 | Invasion of Saxony
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 15th | Prussia invades Saxony |
| 1866 | Battle of Langensalza
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 29th | Prussia defeat the Hanoverian army |
| 1866 | Defeat
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 29th | Prussia defeat the Hanoverian army |
| July 3rd | Prussia defeats Austria |
| 1866 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 5th | Bismarck is able to accept mediation on his terms |
| July 5th | Napoleon III expects both contestants to wear themselves down in a drawn out campaign |
| 1866 | Peace
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 26th | The Peace of Nikolsburg is a preliminary peace between Austria & Prussia |
| Aug 13th | Prussia agrees peace & makes a secret military Alliance against France |
| Aug 13th | Prussia agrees peace & makes a secret military Alliance against France |
| Aug 13th | Prussia agrees peace & makes a secret military Alliance against France |
| 1866 | Treaty of Gastein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 20th | Austria reneges on the agreement by demanding that the Diet determine the Schleswig-Holstein issue, Bismarck uses this as an excuse start a war with Austria by charging that the Austrians had violated the Convention of Gastein |
| 1866 | North German Confederation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 23rd | The North German Confederation is created of German lands nth of the Maine |
| 1866 | Peace
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 23rd | Austria will be excluded from Germany |
| Aug 23rd | The Peace of Prague confirms the Peace of Nikolsburg |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague Frankfurt will become part of Prussia |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague Hanover will become part of Prussia |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague Hesse will become part of Prussia |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague South German States become independent |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague States nth of the Main form a Confederation under Prussia |
| Aug 23rd | The North German Confederation is created of German lands nth of the Maine |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague Austrian Silesia will become part of Prussia |
| 1866 | Rule of Frankfurt
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague Frankfurt will become part of Prussia |
| 1866 | Rule of Hanover
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 23rd | Bismarck annexes the Kingdom of Hanover, which had been allied with Austria against Prussia, agreement is reached whereby the deposed King Georg V of Hanover was allowed to keep about 50% of the crown assets |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague Hanover will become part of Prussia |
| 1866 | Rule of Hesse
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague Hesse will become part of Prussia |
| 1866 | Rule of Nassau
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague Nassau will become part of Prussia |
| 1866 | Rule of Silesia
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Aug 23rd | Under the Peace of Prague Austrian Silesia will become part of Prussia |
| 1867 | Conference of London
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Luxemburg becomes neutral & demilitarized, under the protection of the European powers |
| 1867 | Economy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | A new organization with the same name was brought about in 1867 when peace was restored, the new Zollverein is stronger, in that no individual state had a veto |
| 1867 | North German Confederation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | From this point on begins what historians refer to as "The Misery of Austria", in which Austria serves as a mere vassal to the superior Germany, a relationship that was to shape history up to the two World Wars |
| | King Wilhelm I serves as its President, and Bismarck as its Chancellor |
| | To solidify Prussian hegemony, Prussia and several other North German states joined the North German Confederation |
| 1867 | Zollverein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | A new organization with the same name was brought about in 1867 when peace was restored, the new Zollverein is stronger, in that no individual state had a veto |
| 1868 | Constitution
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Creates a Customs Parliament including the sth German States |
| 1868 | Zollverein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Schleswig-Holstein, Kausenburg and Mecklenburg join the Zollverein |
| 1869 | Constitution
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The Customs Union fails, "no man is humiliated who does not feel himself humiliated" |
| 1869 | Union Customs
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The Customs Union fails, "no man is humiliated who does not feel himself humiliated" |
| 1869 | Succession
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 25th | Charles Anthony asks Bismarck to tell William to decide Leopold's Spanish succession |
| Feb 25th | Informed by Charles Anthony that Leopold had been sounded out for the Spanish throne |
| 1869 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May 8th | Benedetti is told by Bismarck that Leopold had refused the Spanish throne |
| 1870 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The publication of the Emms telegram rallies southern German states |
| 1870 | Catholic Department
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Abolishes the Catholic Dept of the Prussian Ministry of Public Worship & Education |
| 1870 | Chancellor
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Appointed Imperial Chancellor of the 1st Reich |
| 1870 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Sets up a school's inspectorate in Prussia |
| 1870 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The Centre Party win 57 seats, their new popularity shocks Bismarck into action |
| 1870 | Publication
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Wilhelm has Abeken telegram Gramont's terms to Bismarck who prints it |
| 1870 | Succession
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Leopold is offered the Spanish throne for a 2nd time, Bismarck recommends acceptence |
| 1870 | Unification
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prussian victory establishes German unity |
| 1870 | Mobilization
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Jan 16th | Bavaria & Baden mobilize under the terms of the 1866 military treaties |
| 1870 | Succession
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Mar 8th | Issues a memo saying a Hohenzollern is Spain would tie down 2 French Divs |
| Mar 15th | Urges Charles Anthony to accept the Spanish crown |
| Mar 15th | William & the Crown Prince oppose Charles Anthony's Spanish succession |
| 1870 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Mar 19th | Publishes Alliances with sth German states, German Armies are under Prussian control |
| 1870 | Succession
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 21st | Leopold's acceptance of the offer of the Spanish throne is telegramed to Madrid |
| June 21st | Persuades Leopold to accept the Spanish offer of the throne |
| July 4th | The offer to Leopold becomes public when the French press expose it to the world |
| 1870 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 11th | Meets Gorchakov & secures an understanding with Russia |
| 1870 | Succession
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 12th | Charle's Anthony's renunciation of the throne is "a humiliation worse than Olmutz" |
| July 12th | William compels Charles Anthony to renounce the Spanish throne for his son Leopold |
| 1870 | Declaration of War
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 13th | Bismarck uses Abeken's telegram as provocation of war |
| 1870 | Mobilization
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 14th | The Landwehr is mobilized |
| 1870 | Declaration of War
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 19th | Germany is supported by England & Russia who see Napoleon III emulating Napoleon I |
| July 19th | War is declared against France |
| 1870 | Mobilization
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 31st | Sets out as a major-general with William to command the armies in the field |
| 1870 | Battle of Sedan
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 1st | Present in battle as a Major-General, victory leads to the German fall of Paris |
| 1870 | Peace
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 18th | Favre requests an honourable peace from Bismarck who demands Alsace, Metz & Strasbourg |
| 1870 | Siege of Paris
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 18th | Favre requests an honourable peace from Bismarck who demands Alsace, Metz & Strasbourg |
| 1870 | Unification
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Nov 14th | Baden & Hesse join the Confederation of Germany |
| Nov 14th | Baden & Hesse join the Confederation of Germany |
| Nov 23rd | Germany is united under a single Confederation |
| 1871 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Reconciles William & Francis Joseph & discusses Alliance with Beust |
| 1871 | Centre Party
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Defends Catholic interests against Bismarck's Kulturkampf |
| 1871 | Chancellor
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Appointed Imperial Chancellor of the German Empire |
| | The 1866 North German Constitution becomes the 1871 Constitution of the German Empire with some adjustments |
| | The German Empire is the name used in English to describe the first 47 years of the German Reich when it was a semi-Constitutional monarchy: beginning with the unification of Germany and proclamation of William I of Prussia as German Emperor |
| | The new empire has a Parliament with two houses, the lower house, or Reichstag, is elected by universal male suffrage, however, the original constituencies drawn in 1871 were never redrawn to reflect the growth of urban areas |
| 1871 | Constitution
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | In the 1871 German Empire, the Chancellor served both as the Emperor's first minister, and as presiding officer of the Bundesrat, the upper chamber of the German parliament, appointed by the Emperor |
| | Legislation requires the consent of the Bundesrat, the federal council of deputies from the states, executive power is vested in the emperor, or Kaiser, who is assisted by a chancellor responsible only to him |
| | The unified Germany under Chancellor Otto von Bismarck is called in German Deutsches Reich, remains the official name of Germany until 1945 |
| | When the German Empire was founded in 1871, the bulk of the empire was constituted from the Prussian-led Protestant states of the former North German Confederation |
| | A Federal Government, Bundesrat, elected by regional Governments |
| | A National Government, Reichstag, elected by all males over 25 by secret ballot |
| | Bismarck's intention is to create a Constitutional fa‡ade which would mask the continuation of authoritarian policies |
| | Officially, the chancellor is a one-man cabinet and is responsible for the conduct of all state affairs; in practice, the State Secretaries (officials in charge of fields as finance, war, foreign affairs, etc.) act as unofficial portfolio ministers |
| | Prussia uses a highly restrictive three-class voting system in which the richest third of the population could choose 85 percent of the legislature, all but assuring a conservative majority |
| | The Reichstag has the power to pass, amend or reject bills, it could not initiate Legislation, the power of initiating Legislation rests with the Chancellor |
| | With the exception of the years 1872-1873 and 1892-1894, the Chancellor is always simultaneously the prime minister of Prussia, with 17 out of 58 votes in the Bundesrat, Berlin needed only a few votes from the small states to exercise control |
| 1871 | Deutsches Reich
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The unified Germany under Chancellor Otto von Bismarck is called in German Deutsches Reich, remains the official name of Germany until 1945 |
| 1871 | Kanzelparagraph
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Among the measures taken to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church was the addition in 1871 of þ 130a to the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch), which threatened clergy who discussed politics from the pulpit with two years of prison |
| | The 1871 Kanzelparagraph introduced a series of sanctions against Catholicism imposed by Bismarck throughout 1875 |
| | The article is dubbed the Kanzelparagraph (from the German Kanzel - "pulpit") |
| | The Kanzelparagraph remains in force until 1953, several religious orders like the Jesuits remained banned from the German Empire, confiscated properties were not returned, discrimination against the Catholic minority continued in Civil Service |
| 1871 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Among the measures taken to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church was the addition of þ 130a to the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch), which threatened clergy who discussed politics from the pulpit with two years of prison |
| | Refers to German policies in relation to secularity and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, enacted from 1871 to 1878 by the Chancellor of the German Empire, Otto von Bismarck |
| | The 1871 Kanzelparagraph introduced a series of sanctions against Catholicism imposed by Bismarck throughout 1875 |
| 1871 | Peace
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | William makes Bismarck responsible for conducting the peace with France |
| 1871 | Peerage
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Created Furst von Bismarck (Prince Bismarck) |
| 1871 | Reichstag
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The new empire has a Parliament with two houses, the lower house, or Reichstag, is elected by universal male suffrage, however, the original constituencies drawn in 1871 were never redrawn to reflect the growth of urban areas |
| 1871 | Strafgesetzbuch
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Among the measures taken to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church was the addition in 1871 of þ 130a to the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch), which threatened clergy who discussed politics from the pulpit with two years of prison |
| 1871 | Unification
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | A National Government, Reichstag, elected by all males over 25 by secret ballot |
| 1871 | Zollverein
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Alsace-Lorraine join the Zollverein after being acquired by Germany following the Franco-Prussian war |
| 1871 | Peace
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Jan 25th | Royal orders force Moltke to submit to Bismarck who wishes to end the war |
| Jan 26th | Put in control of the armistice talks |
| Feb | Discusses peace terms with Thiers & Favre |
| 1871 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 7th | The Kanzelparagraph remains in force until 1953, several religious orders like the Jesuits remained banned from the German Empire, confiscated properties were not returned, discrimination against the Catholic minority continued in Civil Service |
| 1871 | Reichstag
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Mar 21st | Opens the 1st Reichstag of the 2nd Reich |
| 1871 | Rule of Alsace
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May 10th | Under the treaty of Frankfurt Germany keeps Alsace |
| 1871 | Rule of Lorraine
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May 10th | Under the treaty of Frankfurt Germany keeps Alsace |
| 1871 | Treaty of Frankfurt
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May 10th | A German army of occuption will remain in France until the war indemnity is paid |
| May 10th | Ends the Franco-Prussian War |
| May 10th | Germany keeps Alsace & Lorraine |
| 1872 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | William, Franz Joseph & Nicholas meet, Bismarck wants to create another Holy Alliance |
| 1872 | Chancellor
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Persuades William to Appoint Roon as Minister of President of Prussia |
| 1872 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | the Jesuits are banned (and remained banned in Germany until 1917) and in December the German Government broke off diplomatic relations with the Vatican |
| | William, Franz Joseph & Nicholas meet, Bismarck can create another Holy Alliance |
| 1872 | Dismissal
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Has Roon dismissed after 10 months because he fails to sufficiently support Bismarck |
| 1872 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The estate of the Church was confiscated, monastic orders dissolved, and the paragraphs of the Prussian Constitution assuring the freedom of the Catholics is removed |
| | the Jesuits are banned (and remained banned in Germany until 1917) and in December the German Government broke off diplomatic relations with the Vatican |
| Mar | Religious schools are forced to undergo official Government inspection and in June religious teachers are banned from Government schools |
| 1872 | Legislation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Mar | Religious schools are forced to undergo official Government inspection and in June religious teachers are banned from Government schools |
| 1872 | Education
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May | Under the May Laws administered by Adalbert Falk, the state begins to monitor the education of clergy closely, creates a secular court for cases involving the clergy, and requires notification of all clergy employment |
| 1872 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May | The Jesuits are banned (and remained banned in Germany until 1917) |
| May | Under the May Laws administered by Adalbert Falk, the state begins to monitor the education of clergy closely, creates a secular court for cases involving the clergy, and requires notification of all clergy employment |
| 1872 | Legislation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May | The Jesuits are banned (and remained banned in Germany until 1917) |
| May | Under the May Laws administered by Adalbert Falk, the state begins to monitor the education of clergy closely, creates a secular court for cases involving the clergy, and requires notification of all clergy employment |
| 1872 | May Laws
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May | Under the May Laws administered by Adalbert Falk, the state begins to monitor the education of clergy closely, creates a secular court for cases involving the clergy, and requires notification of all clergy employment |
| 1872 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June | Religious schools are forced to undergo official Government inspection and religious teachers are banned from Government schools |
| 1872 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Dec | The German Government breaks off diplomatic relations with the Vatican |
| 1872 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Dec | The German Government breaks off diplomatic relations with the Vatican |
| 1873 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | William, Moltke & Bismarck agree a military convention with the Russians |
| 1873 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Bismarck sees the addition of the southern German states (especially Catholic Bavaria) as a possible threat to the Empire's stability |
| | Tensions were also increased by the 1870 Vatican Council proclamation on papal infallibility |
| | The term "Kulurkampf" is 1st used to describe Bismark's crusade against the Catholics |
| | Two archbishops are in prison & 1300 parishes do not have a priest |
| 1873 | Legislation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The "May Laws" of 1873-75 require state approval for training & licensing of priests |
| | The "May Laws" of 1873-75 require state approval for training & licensing priests |
| 1873 | Reform
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The "May Laws" of 1873-75 require state approval for training & licensing of priests |
| | The "May Laws" of 1873-75 require state approval for training & licensing priests |
| 1873 | Roman Catholic Church
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The "May Laws" of 1873-75 require state approval for training & licensing priests |
| 1873 | Invasion of France
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Jan 9th | German occupation forces begin to evacuate France following the death of Napoleon III |
| 1873 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May 6th | A military convention between Germany & Russia |
| 1873 | Invasion of France
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 8th | Germany completes it's evacuation of France |
| 1873 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Oct 22nd | An Alliance of the Emperors of Germany, Russia & Austria |
| 1873 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Oct 22nd | An Alliance of the Emperors of Germany, Russia & Austria |
| 1873 | Minister
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Oct 22nd | The office of Minister-President of Prussia is temporarily separated from that of Chancellor, when Albrecht von Roon is appointed to the former office, but by the end of the year, Roon resigned due to ill health, and Bismarck becomes PM |
| 1874 | Budget
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Finally passes the military budget, each military budget is to last 7 years |
| 1874 | Catholic Centre Party
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Bismarck's attempts to restrict the power of the Catholic Church, represented in politics by the Catholic Centre Party, were not successful, in the 1874 elections, these forces double their representation in the parliament |
| 1874 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Bismarck's attempts to restrict the power of the Catholic Church, represented in politics by the Catholic Centre Party, were not successful, in the 1874 elections, these forces double their representation in the parliament |
| 1874 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Bismarck even blames the poisoning of a popular lion from Berlin Zoological Gardens on Catholic conspirators |
| | Bismarck's attempts to restrict the power of the Catholic Church, represented in politics by the Catholic Centre Party, were not successful, in the 1874 elections, these forces double their representation in the parliament |
| 1874 | Plot
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | A Catholic, Heinz Kullman, attempts to assassinate Bismarck at Bad Kissingen |
| 1874 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Jan 23rd | Catholics rally around the Centre Party which increases its vote from 63 to 91 seats |
| Jan 23rd | The Catholic Centre increases its seats because of hatred of the May Laws |
| 1874 | Legislation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May 25th | Further May Laws against the Ultramontane clergy provoking Pius IX to annul them |
| May 25th | Further May Laws against the Ultramontane clergy provoking Pius IX to annul them |
| 1874 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 13th | Eduard Kullmann attempts to assassinate Bismarck with a pistol, but only hits his hand, Kullmann names the church laws as the reason why he had to shoot Bismarck |
| 1874 | Arrest
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Oct 4th | Count Arnim is arrested after the discovery of a plot to replace Bismarck by him |
| 1875 | Constitution
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The Congregations Law of 1875 abolishes religious orders, stops state subsidies to the Catholic Church, and removes religious protections from the Prussian Constitution |
| 1875 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Marriage becomes a mandatory civil ceremony, removed from the control of the Church |
| | The 1871 Kanzelparagraph introduced a series of sanctions against Catholicism imposed by Bismarck throughout 1875 |
| | The Congregations Law of 1875 abolishes religious orders, stops state subsidies to the Catholic Church, and removes religious protections from the Prussian Constitution |
| 1875 | Legislation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Marriage becomes a mandatory civil ceremony, removed from the control of the Church |
| | The Congregations Law of 1875 abolishes religious orders, stops state subsidies to the Catholic Church, and removes religious protections from the Prussian Constitution |
| 1875 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 24th | Seeks to preserve relations with Russia after problems with France |
| April 8th | Creates tension with France whe he asks "is war in sight?" in the Berlin Post |
| April 8th | Louis Decazes seeks support from Russia & Britain against Bismarck, war is averted |
| April 8th | Starts a war scare with France |
| | Offers Russia an Alliance if for Alsace-Lorraine, Russia refuses |
| 1876 | Rule of Alsace Lorraine
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Offers Russia an Alliance if for Alsace-Lorraine, Russia refuses |
| 1878 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Abandons the National Liberals in favour of the Conservatives after the Kulturkampf |
| 1878 | Catholic Centre Party
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The struggle against socialism unites Bismarck with the Catholic Centre Party, bringing an end to the Kulturkampf, which had led to far greater Catholic unrest than existed beforehand and had strengthened rather than weakened Catholicism |
| 1878 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The struggle against socialism unites Bismarck with the Catholic Centre Party, bringing an end to the Kulturkampf, which had led to far greater Catholic unrest than existed beforehand and had strengthened rather than weakened Catholicism |
| | Falk is dismissed & most anti-Catholic laws are dismantled |
| | Pius dies & is replaced by the conciliatory Leo X |
| 1878 | Reform
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Prohibition of the Socialist Party press & organization |
| 1878 | SDP
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The SPD defends itself by conventions in London & Switzerland |
| 1878 | Treaty of Berlin
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Acts as "the honest broker" |
| | Russia gains Bessarabia, Bulgaria is reduced in size & placed under Turkish rule |
| | Under the treaty of Berlin Romania gains Dobrudja, Serbia & Montenegro become independent |
| 1878 | Kulturkampf
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 7th | Moderates his struggle with the Catholic Church and in the wake of Pius IX's death on February 7, 1878, reconciled with the new Pope, Leo XIII, lifting some sanctions |
| 1878 | Congress of Berlin
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 13th | Opening day of the Congress of Berlin to resolve the "Eastern Question" |
| June 13th | The congress aims to revise the treaty of San Stefano and keep Constantinople in Ottoman hands and disavow Russia's victory over the decaying Ottoman Empire in the Russia-Turkey War, 1877-78 |
| June 13th | The Congress of Berlin redistributes back to the Ottoman Empire certain Bulgarian territories that the previous treaty had given to the Principality of Bulgaria, most notably Macedonia |
| June 13th | The congress revisedsor eliminates 18 of the 29 articles in the treaty of San Stefano using as a foundation the treaties of Paris (1856) and London (1871) |
| June 13th | The meetings are held at Chancellor Bismarck's residence, the Reichskanzlei (chancellory), the former Radziwill Palace, from June 13, 1878 until July 13, 1878 |
| 1878 | Treaty of San Stefano
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| June 13th | The congress revisedsor eliminates 18 of the 29 articles in the treaty of San Stefano using as a foundation the treaties of Paris (1856) and London (1871) |
| 1878 | Congress of Berlin
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| July 13th | Closing day of the Congress of Berlin |
| 1879 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Breaks from the national liberals & relies upon the conservative parties |
| | Does not create a "greater Germany", preserves the balance of power |
| 1879 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Raises some tariff restrictions against Russia |
| 1879 | Rule of Schleswig
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 4th | Breaks the treaty of Prague & refuses to support a plebiscite in nth Schleswig |
| 1879 | Treaty of Prague
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 4th | Breaks the treaty of Prague & refuses to support a plebiscite in nth Schleswig |
| 1879 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Sep 3rd | William I & Alexander II try to put right some misunderstandings |
| 1879 | Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Oct 7th | Agrees a dual Alliance between Austria & Germany, similar to the Holy Alliance |
| 1879 | Treaty of Alliance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Oct 7th | Austria & Germany agree neutrality if either is at war, except against Russia |
| Oct 7th | Austria & Germany agree to support each other in any war with Russia |
| Oct 7th | Signed between Austria-Hungary & Germany, despite William I's opposition |
| Oct 7th | The Austrian Alliance is used to prevent & Crimean coaliton & avoid another war |
| 1881 | SDP
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The Septennat Law financing the Army for 7 years is passed through the Reichstag |
| 1882 | Constitution
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Jan | Says the Emperor is the real Minister President of Prussia |
| Jan 4th | Passes a Royal Edict proclaiming the Emperor's responsibility for Government policy |
| Jan 24th | Informs the Landtag that the First Minister will be the servant of the King-Emperor |
| 1883 | Legislation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The social security systems installed by Bismarck (health care in 1883, accidents insurance in 1884, invalidity and old-age insurance in 1889) at the time are the most advanced in the world |
| | Passes the Sickness Insurance Law |
| | Passes the Sickness Insurance Law |
| 1883 | Reform
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Passes the Sickness Insurance Law |
| 1884 | Conference of Berlin
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Athe the Conference of Berlin Britain recognizes Germany's claims to the Cameroons |
| | Athe the Conference of Berlin Britain recognizes Germany's claims to the New Guinea |
| | Bismarck calls together a confernce of Germany, Turkey, the USA & the European nations |
| | Germany agrees to support Britain's claims in Nigeria, against the French |
| | The Conference discusses the status of the Congo & Niger river basins |
| 1884 | Legislation
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The social security systems installed by Bismarck (health care in 1883, accidents insurance in 1884, invalidity and old-age insurance in 1889) at the time are the most advanced in the world |
| 1884 | Reform
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Passes the Accident Insurance Law |
| 1884 | Rule of Cameroons
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | At the Conference of Berlin Britain recognizes Germany's claims to the Cameroons |
| 1884 | Rule of New Guinea
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Athe the Conference of Berlin Britain recognizes Germany's claims to the New Guinea |
| 1884 | Rule of Nigeria
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Germany agrees to support Britain's claims in Nigeria, against the French |
| 1884 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 11th | Offers Britain German support over Africa in return for the cession of Heligoland |
| 1884 | Rule of Heligoland
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 11th | Offers Britain German support over Africa in return for the cession of Heligoland |
| 1885 | Deputy Secretary of State
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Appointed Deputy Secretary of State |
| 1886 | Budget
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Asks the Reichstag to increase the military budget after the end of the Dreikaiserbund |
| | Calls up reserves & announces a war loan to rally patriotic voters at the election |
| | Dissolves the Reichstag after failing to raise the budget |
| | The Reichstag turns down Bismark's proposals to increase military spending |
| 1886 | Reichstag
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Dissolves the Reichstag after it refuses his increases to the military budget |
| 1887 | Budget
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Creates ne taxes for liquor & sugar & increasing taxes on grains |
| | Passes a Septennial Act increasing the military budget |
| 1887 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | The Free Conservatives & National Liberals win 220 out of 375 seats |
| 1887 | Treaty of Reinsurance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | A supplementary protocol promises German support for Russia in the Dardanelles |
| 1887 | Treaty of Mediterranean
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 12th | Agreed between powers maintaining the status quo in the Mediterranean against Turkey |
| 1888 | Armament
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 6th | Introduces a measure to increase the army reserve to 3 1/4 of a million |
| Feb 6th | Says to the Reichstag, "We Germans fear God & nothing else on Earth" |
| 1889 | Reform
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Passes the Old Age & Disability Insurance Law |
| 1890 | Peerage
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Created Herzog von Lauenburg (Duke of Lauenburg), highest rank of non-sovereign nobility & styled Serene Highness |
| 1890 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Feb 20th | The cartell led by Bismarck loses 57 National Liberal & 28 Conservative seats |
| 1890 | Dismissal
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| Mar 20th | Dismissed by William II who "drops the pilot"Benjamin Harrison was inaugurated as 23rd President |
| 1891 | Election
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| May 2nd | Returned for Geestmunde with a large majority |
| 1896 | Diplomacy
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Attacks the Emperor for trying to sacrifice Russian friendship |
| | Reveals the secret Reinsurance treaty with Russia |
| 1896 | Treaty of Reinsurance
Bismarck-Schonhausen, Otto Furst von | |
| | Reveals the secret Reinsurance treaty with Russia |
