Partition of Germany

Following the defeat of during, the country was partitioned by the  into many smaller independent states that existed prior to the 1871. Initially proposed by, it was later supported by the and the. The Council decided to draw up new states based on those of the former, although the new ones had different borders, while some of the smaller duchies and principalities were merged with larger states. Likewise the Free and Hanseatic Cities of and  became part of Brandenburg while  became part of Mecklenburg.