German Empire
German Empire from 1871 unification to 1918 revolution.
The German Empire (German: Deutsches Reich), also referred to as Imperial Germany or the Second Reich, was the period of the German Reich from the unification of Germany in 1871 until the November Revolution in 1918, when Germany changed its form of government to a republic. It consisted of 25 states, each with its own nobility, and was dominated by Prussia, which contained about two-thirds of the Empire's population and territory. The King of Prussia was also the German Emperor. During its 47 years of existence, the German Empire became an industrial, technological, and scientific power in Europe, and by 1913 it was the largest economy in continental Europe and the third largest in the world.
- born
- 18 January 1871
- died
- November 1918
- field
- State, Empire
- nationality
- German
- known_for
- Unification of Germany, industrial and scientific power, World War I, collapse i
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The German Empire was founded on 18 January 1871, when the south German states, except for Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, joined the North German Confederation. The new constitution came into force on 16 April, introducing the title of German Emperor for Wilhelm I, King of Prussia from the House of Hohenzollern. Berlin remained its capital, and Otto von Bismarck, Minister President of Prussia, became chancellor. The empire had a parliament called the Reichstag, elected by universal male suffrage, but the original constituencies drawn in 1871 were never redrawn to reflect the growth of urban areas, leaving rural areas grossly overrepresented. Executive power was vested in the emperor, who appointed and dismissed the chancellor, was supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and final arbiter of all foreign affairs, and could also disband the Reichstag to call for new elections.
Reader's Guide
The German Empire's significance lies in its rapid rise as an industrial, technological, and scientific power, with one-third of all Nobel Prizes going to German inventors and researchers. It built Europe's most extensive rail network, the world's strongest army, and a fast-growing industrial base; starting very small in 1871, in a decade the navy became second only to Britain's Royal Navy. Under Bismarck, it pioneered social programs that laid the foundation for the modern European welfare state, while also entering the colonial race in the 1880s and acquiring the world's third-largest colonial empire after the British and French. After Bismarck's dismissal in 1890, Wilhelm II pursued Weltpolitik, a more aggressive and expansionist course that abandoned Bismarck's complex alliance system, leaving Germany increasingly isolated. The empire's involvement in World War I, including the failed Spring Offensive and the declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare in early 1917, contributed to its collapse in the November 1918 Revolution with the abdication of Wilhelm II. The Treaty of Versailles imposed postwar reparation costs of 132 billion gold marks, limited the army to 100,000 men, and disallowed conscription, armored vehicles, submarines, aircraft, and more than six battleships; the consequential economic devastation, later exacerbated by the Great Depression, and the humiliation and outrage experienced by the German population are considered leading factors in the rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazism.
Did You Know?
- The German Empire consisted of 25 states: four constituent kingdoms, six grand duchies, five duchies (six before 1876), seven principalities, three free Hanseatic cities, and one imperial territory.
- By 1913, Germany was the largest economy in continental Europe and the third largest in the world.
- One-third of all Nobel Prizes went to German inventors and researchers during the empire's existence.
- The German navy, starting very small in 1871, became second only to Britain's Royal Navy within a decade.
- The Treaty of Versailles imposed reparation costs of 132 billion gold marks on Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the German Empire?
The German Empire, often called Imperial Germany or the Second Reich, was the unified German state that existed from 1871 until 1918. It came into being after the unification of previously independent German states into a single national entity.
How was the German Empire politically structured?
It operated as a federal system of 25 constituent states, each retaining its own nobility and certain internal governance. Prussia dominated the arrangement, accounting for roughly two-thirds of both the empire's territory and its population.
Who held supreme power in the German Empire?
The King of Prussia simultaneously served as the German Emperor, making the Prussian monarchy the central axis of imperial authority. This dual role meant that Prussian interests were effectively embedded in the highest office of the state.
Why is the German Empire considered historically significant?
Over its 47-year existence it grew into a major industrial, technological, and scientific power in Europe. It also played a central role in World War I, a conflict that ultimately led to its collapse.
How did the German Empire come to an end?
The November Revolution of 1918 forced a fundamental change in the form of government, ending the imperial system. Germany subsequently transitioned to a republic, closing out the 47-year imperial period.
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