The German Empire was the nation-state that united most German states under Prussian leadership. It was created in 1871 after the victory over France in the Franco-Prussian War, and the king of Prussia, Wilhelm I, was proclaimed German emperor in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles in January, while its constitution took effect at the start of the year. It was a federation of kingdoms, duchies and free cities, with a strong chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, who dominated its politics until 1890. The empire industrialised rapidly, built a navy and acquired colonies under Wilhelm II. It entered the First World War in 1914, and defeat led to the Kaiser's abdication and the proclamation of a republic in November 1918.
Before and after
- 22 October 1870Birth of Ivan Bunin
- 5 December 1870Death of Alexandre Dumas
- 1871Aida
- 1871Publication of Through the Looking-Glass
- from 1 January 1871 to 9 November 1918German Empire
- 1871The Internationale
- from 28 January 1871 to 28 July 1914Belle Époque
- 5 March 1871Birth of Rosa Luxemburg
- from 18 March 1871 to 28 May 1871Paris Commune
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- 1831Discovery of Lewis chessmen
- from 8 February 1861 to 1 May 1865Confederate States of America
- from 17 March 1861 to 18 June 1946Kingdom of Italy
- from 3 January 1868 to 3 May 1947Empire of Japan
- from 23 October 1868 to 30 July 1912Meiji era
- October 1871Schliemann begins digging at Hisarlik
The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.