August 18th, 1866. The North German Confederation Treaty followed the Austro-Prussian War, after which the German Confederation of 1815 was dissolved. This and other treaties that followed were called the August Treaties, regardless if they concluded in August or not. These treaties established the North German Confederation, initially a military alliance dominated by Prussia, which grew when the North German Constitution was adopted.

The Ems Dispatch was a telegram between King Wilhelm I of Prussia to Otto von Bismarck, his prime minister. It described a meeting between the king and a French ambassador, Count Benedetti, in the town of Ems. Paris was worried about a relative of the Prussian king possibly becoming King of Spain, which would surround them with Prussian allies. Benedetti asked Wilhelm to promise that this candidate would never try to claim the Spanish throne again. Wilhelm politely refused, saying he couldn't make such a promise forever. Afterwards, he sent a calm summary of the meeting to Bismarck.

Bismarck wanted war with France, as it would unify the South German states through nationalism. So he edited the Ems Dispatch so it would appear the French ambassador insulted the Prussian king, and the king had rudely dismissed the ambassador. The edited dispatch infuriated the French public and government, who felt insulted as the following day was July 14th, Bastille Day, leading many to believe they were humiliated right before a symbolic holiday. Napoleon III, politically weak and hoping to rally support, declared war on Prussia on July 19th, 1870.

This war would end badly for France, and on January 18th, 1871, at the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, the German Empire would be proclaimed.

1871, February 18th. The Waldsteins vacate Bavaria as they were first Austrian loyalists who supported the idea of Grossdeutschland. When that failed and it became clear Bismarck's Kleindeutschland would prevail, they left for Switzerland as unification would remove their influence. Being both known liberals and Austrian loyalists meant safety within the new empire was a question. In the end the family head decided leaving was in their best interest.

Bruh I got like 20 bots to post, but I’m having writers block on the initial messages😭

(Artist)