1. Bismarck next turned his attention to create a rift between Prussia and France to unite the southern German states.
2. The opportunity came over the issue of succession to the Spanish throne.
3. After a revolution in Spain which drove Queen Isabella out of the country, the throne was offered to Prince Leopold, a relative of the King of Prussia.
5. France was agitated over the issue.
6. A threat of war was averted when Prince Leopold declined the offer. Bismarck was disappointed.
7. A new opportunity arose when Gramont, the French Foreign Minister met the King of Prussia in Ems.
8. He demanded that Prussia promise that it would not claim the throne of Spain in the future.
9. The Prussian King sent a telegram about the discussion to Bismarck.
10. He edited it in such a manner that the French thought their ambassador had been insulted while the Prussians thought that their king had been humiliated.
11. The Ems telegram triggered the Franco-Prussian War.

Austro-Prussian War of 1866
1. By his diplomacy Bismarck had ensured the neutrality of Russia and France.
2. He also got the support of Piedmont-Sardinia which wanted to drive Austria out of Venetia.
3. Thus ensuring that Austria would not receive support from any major power, he forced Austria to attack Prussia. The Austro-Prussian war is also known as the Seven Weeks' War.
4. Prussia defeated Austria at the Battle of Sadowa or Konnniggratz in Bohemia.
5. While the Prussian army wanted to march into Austria and capture Vienna, Bismarck opposed it.
6. The war was brought to an end by the Treaty of Prague.
7. Austria withdrew from the German confederation. The northern states were formed into a north German Confederation under Prussia.
8. Though defeated, Italy was rewarded with Venetia for its support to Prussia. The North German Confederation consisted of 22 states north of river Maine.
9. A new constitution came into effect on 1 July 1867. Bismarck followed a friendly policy towards the southern states in an attempt to win them over.

The six key points were:
1. Universal suffrage. 
2. Voting by ballot, to prevent intimidation.
3. No property qualification for candidates.
4. Payment of members elected to the House of Commons, as it would enable the poor people to contend for office and contest elections.
5. Equal electoral districts and equal representation.
6. Annual parliaments.

1. The Industrial Revolution ended the domestic system of industry and necessitated the workmen to live near the factories.
2. Long rows of tenement houses were built for their accommodation.
3. Wages were abominably low.
4. Hours of labour were as hlgh as fifteen or even eighteen a day.
5. Womer' and children were employed in large numbers.
6. The factories were owned by a small class of capitalists, whose main object was unbridled profit.
7. The working classes were initially unorganised and therefore wholly at the mercy of their employers.