How did Louis IV unite Bavaria in 1340?

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Louis IV united Bavaria in 1340 following the extinction of the Lower Bavarian line of his cousins, with whom he had been in a long-standing conflict. Prior to this, the house of Wittelsbach had been divided by internal partitions, and Louis had struggled to achieve a lasting understanding with his Lower Bavarian relatives throughout his reign. The unification of the duchy in 1340 allowed Louis to hold the title of duke of united Bavaria until his death in 1347.12