Kaiser Wilhelm I (1797-1888): King of Prussia in 1861, first German Emperor from 1871 to his death, first Head of State of united Germany. Prussia achieved the unification of Germany and the founding of the German Empire under Wilhelm (and von Bismarck). William had strong reservations about some of Minister President von Bismarck's more reactionary policies, including his anti-Catholicism and rough treatment of subordinates. Despite being a staunch conservative, William was more open to certain classical liberal ideas than his nephew William II. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898): His political career began as opposition to liberals and conservatives. In 1862 he came to power and ruled for 30 years. Became Prussian minister-president in 1871. First German chancellor when Germany united. He expanded the German empire, but was overthrown in 1890 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Historians have very different opinions about him. Helmut von Moltke (1800-1891): was a battlefield commander. He really earned his reputation when, in 1860, he reorganized the Prussian army. He realized the importance of railroads and how well they could transport supplies, soldiers, etc. He served in the German parliament after unification. Considered very skilled in his battlefield.Realpolitik: Realpolitik is a system of politics/principles based on practical reasoning, not moral, ideological or ethical. Used by von Bismarck when promoting the unification of Germany. His policies were used after the failed revolutions of 1848 in an attempt to strengthen states and strengthen social order. Von Bismarck was its most popular advocate in Germany. Danish War (1864): The second war on the Schleswig-Holstein question of the nineteenth century. It began in February 1864, when Prussian forces entered Schleswig. Denmark fought against Prussia and the Austrian Empire. They fought for control of Holstein and Lauenburg, succession struggles affected them when the Danish king died without a true heir to the German Confederation. The war ended in October 1864 with the Treaty of Vienna and when Denmark formally ceded Schleswig, Holstein and Saxe-Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria. Austro-Prussian War (Seven Weeks' War): Fought in 1866 between the German Confederation (under Austrian leadership) and the Kingdom of Prussia, both with German allies, although Prussia also allied itself with the Kingdom of Italy, which concluded with a Prussian victory, giving Prussia dominion over the German states. Abolition of the German Confederation and its partial replacement. This replacement excluded some southern German states. The war also led to the Italian conquest of Veneto. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Ems Dispatch (1870): The Ems Dispatch or Ems Telegram, encouraged France to declare the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. The dispatch itself was an internal message from the Prussian king's vacation spot to von Bismarck in Berlin , reporting the requests of the French ambassador; The statement Bismarck issued to the press had become known as the Ems Dispatch. The name referred to Bad Ems, a spa town east of Koblenz on the Lahn River, then located in Hesse-Nassau.