North German Confederation

The North German Confederation was a federal state led by Prussia from 1867 to 1871, comprising the northern German states. It became the institutional foundation of the German Empire.

Constitution of the North German Confederation: The 1867 constitution established the North German Confederation’s federal institutions and distribution of powers. It defined the Confederation’s presidency, legislature, chancellorship, and member-state representation.
Austro-Prussian War: The Austro-Prussian War was a 1866 conflict that ended Austria’s leadership in German affairs. Prussia’s victory cleared the way for a northern federation under its leadership.
Wilhelm I: Wilhelm I was king of Prussia from 1861 and German emperor from 1871. As Confederation president, he held the federal headship before becoming emperor.
German unification: German unification was the process that created a united German nation-state in 1871. The Confederation was the principal institutional stage in this process.
Greater German solution: The Greater German solution proposed unifying German lands with Austria included. The Confederation instead formed a Prussian-led union that excluded Austria.
Bundesrat: The Bundesrat is a federal council representing the governments of Germany’s constituent states. Member-state governments used this council to participate in Confederation legislation.
Treaty of Prague: The Treaty of Prague ended the Austro-Prussian War in 1866 and dissolved the German Confederation. Its terms permitted Prussia to reorganize northern Germany without Austria.
Helmuth von Moltke the Elder: Helmuth von Moltke the Elder was a Prussian field marshal and chief of the general staff. His military planning helped secure the victories that made the federation possible.
Franco-Prussian War: The Franco-Prussian War was a conflict between France and Prussia with its German allies from 1870 to 1871. The war helped bring the southern German states into the Confederation’s expanding political framework.
Lesser German solution: The Lesser German solution proposed German unification under Prussian leadership without Austria. The Confederation put this political program into practice in northern Germany.

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