| Monarchy of the German Empire | |
|---|---|
| Kaiser der Deutschen Deutscher Kaiser | |
Imperial | |
 | |
| Incumbent | |
 Frederick V | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Imperial Majesty |
| Heir apparent | Frederick, Crown Prince of Germany |
| Formation | 1 January 1871 |
| Residence | Kronprinzenpalais |
| Appointer | Hereditary |
The Emperor of the Germans (German: Kaiser der Deutschen), formerly known as the German Emperor (Deutscher Kaiser), is the head of state of Germany. The Holy Roman emperor is sometimes also called "German emperor" when the historical context is clear, as derived from the Holy Roman Empire's official name of "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation" from 1512.
After the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, Germany was divided into many different states, united only by a German Confederation. The idea of a united German nation started to gain traction, and a debate over how this would be achieved, the so called "German Question", began. It appeared that two main contenders to the title of united German monarch were the Kingdom of Prussia, which favored the Kleindeutsche Lösung ("Little German solution"), and the Empire of Austria, which favored the Großdeutsche Lösung ("Greater German solution"). Despite this, the idea would not be pursued until later.
In 1848, German liberals and nationalists united in revolution, forming the Frankfurt Parliament. This would be the first real attempt at unifying the German States into a single empire. King Frederick William IV of Prussia was offered the title "Emperor of the Germans" by parliament in 1849, but declined it as "not the Parliament's to give". A staunch conservative, Frederick William believed that only the German princes had the right to make such an offer. The empire never came to be, and the German Confederation would reconvene, but the idea of a united German would be pursued with renewed vigor.
Despite efforts by Austria to create the Empire, it would be for naught. Prussia, lead by Minister President and soon-to-be German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, would be victorious in the Austro-Prussian War. With Prussia annexing most the of the North German states, Bismarck would declare the North German Confederation, with King Wilhelm of Prussia as his president.
The final step towards the creation of a united Germany would be the Franco-Prussian War. Bismarck successfully convinced the remaining German states, not including Austria of course, to stand with them against the Republic of France. In the end, France was defeated, Alsace-Lorraine was taken, and the German Empire was formed.
The actual title was chosen carefully. Bismarck didn't want to Wilhelm to use Emperor of Germany (Kaiser von Deutschland), as it would have alienated South German monarchs. Wilhelm, on the other hand, objected to the use of "Emperor of the Germans", as he was a firm believer in divine right. In the end, a compromise was made, and Wilhelm was crowned German Emperor, if only begrudgingly.
Though the House of Hohenzollern would retain the throne following both the Great War, and the Polish-German War, certain changes were made following reforms to adopt the Westminster System that Britain currently uses and to allow the German royals to allow commoners.
The full title of the German emperors are, since the late 40's: His Imperial Majesty (NAME), By the Grace of God, Emperor of the Germans, Margrave of Prussia and Brandenburg, and Prince of Hohenzollern and Hanover (Seine Kaiserliche Majestät (NAME), von Gottes Gnaden, Kaiser der Deutschen, Markgraf von Preußen und Brandenburg, und Prinz von Hohenzollern und Hannover).
List of German Monarchs[]
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Length | Claim | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wilhelm I (1797–1888) |
18 January 1871 | 9 March 1888 | 17 years, 1 month, 19 days | Inagural |
|
Frederick III (1831–1888) |
9 March 1888 | 15 June 1888 | 3 months, 6 days | Son of Wilhelm I |
|
Wilhelm II (1859–1940) |
15 June 1888 | 4 June 1940 | 51 years, 11 months, 21 days | Son of Frederick III |
|
Wilhelm III (1882–1950) |
4 June 1940 | 20 July 1950 | 10 years, 27 days | Son of Wilhelm II |
|
Ludwig I (1907–1994) |
20 July 1950 | 26 September 1994 | 44 years, 23 days | Second son of Wilhelm III |
|
Frederick IV (1939–2015) |
26 September 1994 | 29 September 2015 | 21 years, 7 months, 18 days | Son of Ludwig I |
|
|
Frederick V (1968-) |
29 September 2015 | Present | 6 years and 12 days | Son of Frederick IV |
| ||||||||||||||||||
