This program is over. Hope you didn't miss it! Browse other programs we offer The Long Road to German Unification Evening Lecture/Seminar Monday, November 7, 2022 - 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET Code: 1H0738 Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Select your Tickets $20 Member $25 Non-Member Resize text The proclamation of the German Empire 1871 by Anton von Werner The narrative of how German states evolved into a powerful nation is a tale of intrigue, wars, class struggles, and economic turbulence. The post-Cold War reunification of Germany in 1990 seemed such a natural consequence, says historian Ralph Nurnberger, that it is easy to forget that modern Germany did not exist until the unification of 1871 when Wilhelm I became the leader of the German Empire following the Franco-Prussian War. Until then the more than 100 German states existed as a loose confederation that shared limited economic and political cooperation, with the two dominant states, Prussia and Austria, competing for leadership. By the mid-1800s, Prussia had become the more powerful and its prime minister Otto von Bismarck, using diplomacy and a series of wars, brought together the German states under its leadership. Nurnberger provides an overview of the events and the fascinating characters that helped unite Germany and propel it into a position of power within Central Europe. Patron Information If you register multiple individuals, you will be asked to supply individual names and email addresses so they can receive a Zoom link email. Please note that if there is a change in program schedule or a cancellation, we will notify you via email, and it will be your responsibility to notify other registrants in your group. Unless otherwise noted, registration for online programs typically closes two hours prior to the start time on the date of the program. Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org. Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of the program. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of the program, please email Customer Service for assistance. View Common FAQs about our online programs presented on Zoom.