Ems Dispatch
The name refers to Bad Ems, a resort spa east of Koblenz on the Lahn river
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Otto Eduard Leopold Furst von Bismarck-Schonhausen Biography and Timeline — Page 5
Follow Otto Eduard Leopold Furst von Bismarck-Schonhausen through 331 dated historical records for Germany.
Otto Eduard Leopold Furst von Bismarck-Schonhausen, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
331Distinct records
5 of 9Page
1870–1871Years on this page
1870
Ems Telegram
Bismarck's released statement of the telegram to the press becomes known as the Ems Dispatch
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Ems Telegram
Originally a message from the Prussian King to Otto von Bismarck in Berlin, reporting demands made by the French Ambassador
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Ems Telegram
The Ems Dispatch, sometimes called the Ems Telegram, incites France to declare the Franco-Prussian War in July 1870
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Ems Telegram
The Ems Telegram is sent from the Prussian Kaiser, Wilhelm I, to his Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Ems Telegram
The telegram's contents outline details of a disagreement between Wilhelm and the French ambassador concerning the succession to the Spanish throne. Bismarck doctors the telegram to give the impression that each side had insulted the other
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Ems Telegram
When the Ems Telegram is published (as anticipated by Bismarck) it precipitates the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Unification
Prussian victory establishes German unity
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Alliance Bismarck and the southern German states
The publication of the Emms telegram rallies southern German states
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1862-1890
Succession
Leopold is offered the Spanish throne for a 2nd time, Bismarck recommends acceptence
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1862-1890
Wilhelm has Abeken telegram Gramonts terms to Bismarck
Wilhelm has Abeken telegram Gramonts terms to Bismarck who prints it
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1862-1890
1871
Bundesprasidium
The federal constitution establishes a constitutional monarchy with the Prussian King as the bearer of the Bundesprasidium, or head of state
Role range: 1862-1890
Constitution
Laws can only be enabled with the consent of the Reichstag (a Parliament based on universal male suffrage) and the Federal Council (a representation of the states)
Role range: 1862-1890
Constitution
The North German Confederation adopts a new constitution, which was written under the title of a new "German Confederation" but already gave it the name "German Empire"
Role range: 1862-1890
Constitution
The federal constitution establishes a constitutional monarchy with the Prussian King as the bearer of the Bundesprasidium, or head of state
Role range: 1862-1890
German Empire
The North German Confederation adopts a new constitution, which was written under the title of a new "German Confederation" but already gave it the name "German Empire"
Role range: 1862-1890
North German Confederation
Laws can only be enabled with the consent of the Reichstag (a Parliament based on universal male suffrage) and the Federal Council (a representation of the states)
Role range: 1862-1890
North German Confederation
The North German Confederation adopts a new constitution, which was written under the title of a new "German Confederation" but already gave it the name "German Empire"
Role range: 1862-1890
North German Confederation
The south German states of Baden, Hesse-Darmstadt, Wurttemberg and Bavaria join the North German Confederation
Role range: 1862-1890
Unification
The North German Confederation adopts a new constitution, which was written under the title of a new "German Confederation" but already gave it the name "German Empire"
Role range: 1862-1890
Unification
The south German states of Baden, Hesse-Darmstadt, Wurttemberg and Bavaria join the North German Confederation
Role range: 1862-1890
Peace
Royal orders force Moltke to submit to Bismarck who wishes to end the war
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Peace
Put in control of the armistice talks
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Kulturkampf
The Kanzelparagraph remains in force until 1953, several religious orders like the Jesuits remained banned from the German Empire, confiscated properties were not returned, discrimination against the Catholic minority continued in Civil Service
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Peace
Discusses peace terms with Thiers & Favre
Role range: 1870-1871 – 1871-1890
Reichstag
Opens the 1st Reichstag of the 2nd Reich
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Rule of Alsace
Under the Treaty of Frankfurt Germany keeps Alsace
Role range: 1870-1871
Rule of Lorraine
Under the Treaty of Frankfurt Germany keeps Alsace
Role range: 1870-1871
Treaty of Frankfurt
Germany keeps Alsace & Lorraine. Ends the Franco-Prussian War. A German army of occuption will remain in France until the war indemnity is paid
Role range: 1870-1871
Zollverein
Alsace-Lorraine join the Zollverein after being acquired by Germany following the Franco-Prussian war
Role range: 1862-1890
Alliance Otto Eduard Leopold Furst von Bismarck-Schonhausen and Beust
Reconciles William & Francis Joseph & discusses alliance with Beust
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Bundesrat
Legislation requires the consent of the Bundesrat, the federal council of deputies
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Bundesrat
The Chancellor serves the Emperor's first minister and as presiding officer of the Bundesrat, the upper chamber of the German Parliament appointed by the Emperor
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Centre Party
Defends Catholic interests against Bismarck's Kulturkampf
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Constitution of Germany
A National Government, Reichstag, is elected by all males over 25 by secret ballot
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Constitution of Germany
Bismarck's intention is to create a constitutional facade which would mask the continuation of authoritarian policies
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Constitution of Germany
Executive power is vested in the Kaiser who is assisted by a Chancellor responsible only to him
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Constitution of Germany
Legislation requires the consent of the Bundesrat, the federal council of deputies
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Constitution of Germany
Most of the German Empire is formed of Prussian-led Protestant states of the former North German Confederation
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Constitution of Germany
Prussia uses a restrictive three-class voting system in which the richest third of the population can choose 85 percent of the legislature, assuring a conservative majority
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.