GERMAN UNIFICATION PROCESS

War with Denmark, 1864:

• the ruler of Holstein and Schleswig - King VII of Denmark died leaving no heir to the throne
• he died November 1863
• in Holstein, there were quite a lot of Germans whereas in Schleswig, the population was mostly Danes
• a dispute arose regarding who should rule the states: German Prince of Augustenburg or Danish Christian of Glucksburg
• Prussia announced they would support the German Prince and fight for him - this made him look appealing to the Germans since Bismarck would be fighting for them
• Austria latched onto this idea and didn't like Prussia taking the full lead as it could gain them more…