After the failure of the liberal 1848 revolution, German unification was achieved through a conservative, top-down approach.

The leading state in the unification process was the powerful Kingdom of Prussia.

Prussia's dominance was based on its economic strength (through the Zollverein customs union) and its modern, efficient army.

The architect of German unification was Otto von Bismarck, the brilliant and ruthless minister-president of Prussia.

Bismarck's strategy was one of 'Realpolitik,' using diplomacy and war to achieve Prussian goals.

He famously declared that the great questions of the day would be decided not by speeches, but by 'blood and iron.'

Unification was achieved through a series of three short, decisive wars planned by Bismarck.

The first war was against Denmark (1864), the second was the Austro-Prussian War (1866), and the third was the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).

Each war was designed to isolate the enemy, expand Prussian power, and foster German nationalism.

The German Empire was proclaimed in 1871 at the Palace of Versailles, following the victory over France.