Part 85: Victoria: Chapter 19 - Three Hurrays for the German Empire

Three Hurrays for the German Empire

Swabia proposes a compromise that would let it keep Switzerland and Swabian Italy. This compromise leaves out Austria, though an invitation is offered for its German parts to join Germany. While waiting for the response from the federations, news arrive that a Byzantine-Italian war against the Maghreb Empire has ended in defeat for the arabs, and Byzantium has taken a large part of their mediterranean coastline.


The responses of the federations are disappointing - though the SGF agrees to the terms, as expected, the NGF vetoes them, making it clear that it will walk out on unification if any non-German parts are brought into the German homeland.


Humiliated but not foolish enough to throw away the unification, Frederick II agrees to the terms.


Switzerland, Genoa and Lombardy are given independence. Guiseppe I Tittoni is made King of Lombardy, while provisional governments are setup in Genoa and Switzerland until the nations can sort out their own rule.




With their demands fulfilled, the federations finally agree to unification, joining with Swabia. As expected, Austria declines the invitation.


It has taken over eight centuries of blood, tears and sacrifice, but at long last, the Hohenzollern dynasty are the undisputed rulers of the nation-state of Germany. The German Empire is born.


In newly independent Lombardy, the Genoese, lacking a strong local government and fearful of their vulnerable position, accept an invitation from Guiseppe Tittoni to unify with Lombardy.


Their immediate affairs sorted out, Switzerland and Lombardy show gratitude for their independence by choosing to align with their old overlord, allying with Germany.



The capital is moved to cosmopolitan Frankfurt-am-Main as a symbol of unity between North and South.


Though the loss of Switzerland and Italy have resulted in a weaker Germany, the idea of a Germany for Germans is a powerful one, and a spirit of national fraternity is spreading throughout the nation, doing much to reduce the militancy of the liberals.


Even with the loss of Switzerland and Italy, Germany is a far stronger nation than Swabia ever was, its industrial might unparalleled. Furthermore, unlike Swabia of which a mere fourth of its population were German nationals, Germany's potential for growth seems limitless.


A mighty nation has been born and Europe will never again be the same.