Unification of Germany
August 18, 1866 – May 10, 1871
Process led by Prussia and Otto von Bismarck that united the German states, apart from Austria, into the German Empire, proclaimed at Versailles on 18 January 1871.
Battles 1
July 19, 1870 – January 28, 1871
Franco-Prussian War
German victory
Sedan and northern France
Otto von Bismarck, Wilhelm I, Frederick III, German Emperor
Key commanders
Germany 6
Otto von Bismarck
Wilhelm I
King of Prussia, Proclaimed German Emperor at Versailles
Frederick III, German Emperor
belligerent leader
Helmuth von Moltke the Elder
Chief of the Prussian General Staff, Planned and led the German campaign
Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia
military commander
Karl Friedrich von Steinmetz
military commander
France 8
Napoleon III
Emperor of the French, Declared war; captured at Sedan
Patrice de MacMahon
military commander
Giuseppe Garibaldi
belligerent leader
François Achille Bazaine
Marshal, Commanded the Army of the Rhine; surrendered at Metz
Louis-Jules Trochu
belligerent leader
François Certain de Canrobert
military commander
Abel Douay
military commander
Charles Auguste Frossard
military commander