After the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, the German princes proclaimed the founding of the German Empire in 1871 at Versailles, uniting all scattered parts of Germany except Austria. Victory in the Franco-Prussian War proved the capstone of the nationalist issue, rallying the other German states into unity.

What caused the unification of Germany?

France was heavily defeated in the Franco-Prussian War. Napoleon III was overthrown by a French rebellion. The circumstances leading to the war caused the southern German states to support Prussia. This alliance led to the unification of Germany.

How did Germany become a unified country in 1871?

The third and final act of German unification was the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, orchestrated by Bismarck to draw the western German states into alliance with the North German Confederation. With the French defeat, the German Empire was proclaimed in January 1871 in the Palace at Versailles, France.