All across Germany there were grand monuments. Some were destroyed by bombs, some were melted for scrap and
some were intentionally demolished during the "re-education" policies under the occupying Allies after World War Two
or under communist indoctrination policies in Soviet areas of occupation. There were, for example, monuments to Kaiser
Wilhelm I of Prussia, founder of the German empire, all over the land.
some were intentionally demolished during the "re-education" policies under the occupying Allies after World War Two
or under communist indoctrination policies in Soviet areas of occupation. There were, for example, monuments to Kaiser
Wilhelm I of Prussia, founder of the German empire, all over the land.
In March, 1888, fifteen days after the death of the Kaiser Wilhelm I of
Prussia, who was proclaimed German Emperor in Versailles in 1871, the
Imperial Diet unanimously voted to erect a memorial to the memory of the
much respected and beloved founder of the German empire. Ceremonies
took place all over Germany in March of 1897 and a memorial was built in
Berlin. Later, on March 22,1900, Kaiser Wilhelm II, his wife, and rulers or
representatives of all the German States dedicated a new monument in Berlin
built in memory of Wilhelm I. There was immense popular enthusiasm.
Prussia, who was proclaimed German Emperor in Versailles in 1871, the
Imperial Diet unanimously voted to erect a memorial to the memory of the
much respected and beloved founder of the German empire. Ceremonies
took place all over Germany in March of 1897 and a memorial was built in
Berlin. Later, on March 22,1900, Kaiser Wilhelm II, his wife, and rulers or
representatives of all the German States dedicated a new monument in Berlin
built in memory of Wilhelm I. There was immense popular enthusiasm.
When the empresses appeared in the imperial pavilion, the Kaiser gave the command for the drums and trumpets to play
and for the singing of the favorite hymn of Wilhelm II: "Wir treten zum Beten von Gott dem Gerechten" (We are going
to pray God the Just). A Lutheran pastor issued a prayer of consecration for the sixty-five foot monument and when he
was finished the Kaiser drew his sword, made troops present arms, and cut the veil covering the statue while they all
saluted. The statue, in bronze, represented Wilhelm I in full Prussian dress with a spiked-helmet. " To Wilhelm the Great,
King of Prussia, 1861-1888 " was inscribed upon the monument along with: "Acknowledgement and faithful affection
- the German people". The Kaiser remained on horseback for a time after the veil had been removed, while drums were
beating, troops were cheering and military music playing "Heil dir im Siegerkranz". At the same time, a hundred and one
cannon-shots was fired and all city bells rang out in pride. Afterward, there was a lush banquet where Kaiser Wilhelm II
made a speech praising his father and recalling the suffering of Germany beforehand while under the French yoke.
and for the singing of the favorite hymn of Wilhelm II: "Wir treten zum Beten von Gott dem Gerechten" (We are going
to pray God the Just). A Lutheran pastor issued a prayer of consecration for the sixty-five foot monument and when he
was finished the Kaiser drew his sword, made troops present arms, and cut the veil covering the statue while they all
saluted. The statue, in bronze, represented Wilhelm I in full Prussian dress with a spiked-helmet. " To Wilhelm the Great,
King of Prussia, 1861-1888 " was inscribed upon the monument along with: "Acknowledgement and faithful affection
- the German people". The Kaiser remained on horseback for a time after the veil had been removed, while drums were
beating, troops were cheering and military music playing "Heil dir im Siegerkranz". At the same time, a hundred and one
cannon-shots was fired and all city bells rang out in pride. Afterward, there was a lush banquet where Kaiser Wilhelm II
made a speech praising his father and recalling the suffering of Germany beforehand while under the French yoke.
| Monuments to a Beloved Kaiser |
A magnificent monument was built with a throne and red carpeted staircases, complete with a magnificent canopy edged
in golden braids which was reserved for the dowager Empress ( the daughter of Queen Victoria of England and mother
to Kaiser Wilhelm II ), the Prussian princesses and German rulers. A hundred Prussian and imperial deputies stood on the
platform of the memorial among brilliantly uniformed officers. The Kaiser and his aides-de-camp and generals rode along
of the troop line in the Unter den Linden to the tunes of military marches.
in golden braids which was reserved for the dowager Empress ( the daughter of Queen Victoria of England and mother
to Kaiser Wilhelm II ), the Prussian princesses and German rulers. A hundred Prussian and imperial deputies stood on the
platform of the memorial among brilliantly uniformed officers. The Kaiser and his aides-de-camp and generals rode along
of the troop line in the Unter den Linden to the tunes of military marches.
| Above: Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Koln |
| Above: Nürnberg, Koblenz and Stettin |
| Above: Heilbronn, Kiel, Elbing, Karlsruhe |
| Above: Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Arolson, Hamburg |
Left row: Lübeck, Pomerania, Breslau,
Second from left row: Minden, Stettin, Hesse-Nassau
Third from left row: Kyffhaeuser, Hohensyberg, Baden
Fourth row: Düren, Aachen
Second from left row: Minden, Stettin, Hesse-Nassau
Third from left row: Kyffhaeuser, Hohensyberg, Baden
Fourth row: Düren, Aachen
