| The Founder of the German Empire |
Wilhelm was good natured, old-fashioned, polite and well-liked. He and Germany were both
respected globally as the period known as the "Kaiserreich" commenced and ran from 1871 to 1918.
respected globally as the period known as the "Kaiserreich" commenced and ran from 1871 to 1918.
Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig von Preußen was born in Berlin to
Friedrich Wilhelm III and the most beloved German queen in
history, Luise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, on March 22, 1797.
As the second son, he was not expected to ascend to the throne
and received little education. From 1814, he bravely served in
the army against Napoleon, fighting under Gebhard Leberecht
von Blücher at the Battles of Waterloo and Ligny. He later
distinguished himself as an excellent diplomat. He successfully
crushed a revolt aimed at his elder brother Friedrich Wilhelm
IV. during the Revolutions of 1848. When his brother, the
King, suffered a debilitating stroke in 1858, Wilhelm became
Prince Regent, and on January 2, 1861 he ascended the throne
as Wilhelm I of Prussia upon his brother's death. It was he who
appointed Bismarck as Prime Minister.
Friedrich Wilhelm III and the most beloved German queen in
history, Luise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, on March 22, 1797.
As the second son, he was not expected to ascend to the throne
and received little education. From 1814, he bravely served in
the army against Napoleon, fighting under Gebhard Leberecht
von Blücher at the Battles of Waterloo and Ligny. He later
distinguished himself as an excellent diplomat. He successfully
crushed a revolt aimed at his elder brother Friedrich Wilhelm
IV. during the Revolutions of 1848. When his brother, the
King, suffered a debilitating stroke in 1858, Wilhelm became
Prince Regent, and on January 2, 1861 he ascended the throne
as Wilhelm I of Prussia upon his brother's death. It was he who
appointed Bismarck as Prime Minister.
He was often called upon by other nations to act as a mediator and unbiased
third party to settle disputes. Thomas Nast’s cartoon, left, shows John Bull
(Great Britain) and the United States (Uncle Sam) with Kaiser Wilhelm I
standing between the two acting as mediator and trying to resolve a tiring
dispute over claims to the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. When
this was published in November, 1872, the well-respected Kaiser announced
his decision in favor of the U.S. The cartoon also refers to the "Alabama
Claims" that the United States and Britain had only recently settled, wherein
the U.S.A. argued that during the Civil War Britain violated its neutrality
when British shipbuilders built and refitted Confederate ships.
third party to settle disputes. Thomas Nast’s cartoon, left, shows John Bull
(Great Britain) and the United States (Uncle Sam) with Kaiser Wilhelm I
standing between the two acting as mediator and trying to resolve a tiring
dispute over claims to the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. When
this was published in November, 1872, the well-respected Kaiser announced
his decision in favor of the U.S. The cartoon also refers to the "Alabama
Claims" that the United States and Britain had only recently settled, wherein
the U.S.A. argued that during the Civil War Britain violated its neutrality
when British shipbuilders built and refitted Confederate ships.
The Washington Treaty of 1871 stipulated that the Alabama Claims would be arbitrated by a five
member Geneva Tribunal which included the Kaiser. On September 14, 1872, the Tribunal
announced that Britain should pay the U.S. $15.5 million. The caption was “It Never Rains But It
Pours,” referring to two major decisions in favor of the U.S. within two months, with the German
Kaiser acting as the defining factor in both of them. Wilhelm died March 9, 1888 at aged 90.
member Geneva Tribunal which included the Kaiser. On September 14, 1872, the Tribunal
announced that Britain should pay the U.S. $15.5 million. The caption was “It Never Rains But It
Pours,” referring to two major decisions in favor of the U.S. within two months, with the German
Kaiser acting as the defining factor in both of them. Wilhelm died March 9, 1888 at aged 90.
In 1888, the son of Wilhelm I became German Emperor, but he
died of throat cancer after only 99 days, at which time his son
Wilhelm II took over the throne. Hence, 1888 was known as
the Year of Three Emperors. The Hohenzollerns had lent their
power to the state in the Unification of Germany and in the
creation of the German Empire in 1871. They ruled until they
abdicated the German throne in 1918.
died of throat cancer after only 99 days, at which time his son
Wilhelm II took over the throne. Hence, 1888 was known as
the Year of Three Emperors. The Hohenzollerns had lent their
power to the state in the Unification of Germany and in the
creation of the German Empire in 1871. They ruled until they
abdicated the German throne in 1918.
