Chapter 50 The German Empire is established

After the peace treaty with France was signed, there was no longer any outside intervention in the unification of Germany.

However, it is not easy to turn the Kingdom of Prussia into the German Empire, because many states, including Bavaria, are worried about their independence after the unification of Germany.

The new empire was destined not to be as loose as the Holy Roman Empire. If Bavaria lost its independence due to the unification of Germany, this would be difficult for King Ludwig II of Bavaria to accept.

After all, a Bavarian king without any rights and the Bavarian king who now holds real power have the same title and level, but there is a huge gap in influence in the entire German region.

At this time, Prussia was not at peace either.

Many nobles, including King William I of Prussia,

Not so enthusiastic about the founding of a new empire.

Because after the empire is established, the Kingdom of Prussia, which they were once proud of, will become part of the empire. The Hohenzollern family who became the royal family may also abandon the old tradition of being thrifty and frugal to the extreme, and imitate those extravagant and extravagant European monarchs, and engage in extravagance and waste.

Such concerns are not groundless.

Although both emperor and king were independent rulers, being king of Prussia was completely different from being emperor of Germany.

After becoming the German Emperor, it meant that he had completed the important task of unifying the German region and became one of the only three emperors in Europe.

The newly established German Empire will definitely become a more powerful power, and its comprehensive national strength will far exceed that of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, its long-term enemy, and reach the level before Britain and France.

With such an achievement, it is difficult to guarantee that the Hohenzollern family will not be complacent, relax after a long period of tension, and begin to enjoy the luxurious life of the royal family.

But some people opposed it, and some people agreed, especially William I's son, Frederick William Nicholas Karl, Crown Prince of Prussia. (William II’s father)

The crown prince, who was born in 1831, is almost 40 years old now.

In a place in Europe where the average life expectancy is only thirty or forty years old, Crown Prince Frederick is already considered middle-aged and elderly.

Although there is no hope of succession in the short term, Crown Prince Frederick is willing to see if he can obtain a higher title through the establishment of the empire.

After all, who is willing to just be a crown prince for the rest of his life? With William I too alive, Crown Prince Frederick could only enhance his title through the establishment of the empire.

How likely was William I to survive? William I, who was born in 1797, did not die until 1888, living for 91 years.

This was extremely rare in Europe in the 19th century, and it is considered longevity even in the 21st century more than 100 years later.

As the son of William I, Crown Prince Frederick's fate was relatively tragic.

Historically, Crown Prince Frederick did not succeed to the throne until 1888. He died of throat cancer in only 99 days, which also earned him the nickname the Hundred-Day Emperor.

From 1831 to 1888, it took a total of 57 years. After 57 years of waiting, he was granted the throne of emperor for 99 days. The most miserable crown prince in the 19th century, Frederick, definitely deserved the title.

Of course, the current Crown Prince Frederick has not been diagnosed with throat cancer and is still relatively healthy.

Under Crown Prince Frederick's arguments, William I agreed to the establishment of the new empire.

But William I also made a request, that is, William I would only do so if other German monarchs proposed that William I become emperor.

If Parliament asked William to proclaim himself emperor before other monarchs, William would reject the proposal.

The reason is also very simple. If the monarchs of other German states proposed to establish the empire, it would prove that the German Empire was recognized by the states and had the support of the people.

But if Prussia's own Congress proposed the establishment of an empire, it would inevitably be a bit self-entertaining, and it would also make William I's legal principles a little unstable from the beginning.

Among the many German states, the one most qualified to ask William I to be crowned emperor was only the Kingdom of Bavaria, the largest state in southern Germany.

In order to speed up the establishment of the empire, Bismarck wrote a letter to King Ludwig II of Bavaria, asking Ludwig II to take the initiative to propose that Wilhelm I be crowned Emperor of Germany.

At this time, Bismarck had already agreed that Bavaria would enjoy a certain degree of independence within the German Empire, and that the King of Bavaria would still have the right to command the Bavarian army in peacetime.

The Bavarian government also had a voice in foreign affairs, enjoyed financial privileges, and was not required to abide by Prussian military doctrine.

It could maintain its own unique laws on marriage and citizenship, as well as its own postal and telegraph services.

This was already considered a huge concession to Bavaria. After receiving so many benefits and guarantees, Ludwig II would naturally not object to William I's coronation.

In this way, at Ludwig II's public request, Wilhelm I formally agreed to establish the German Empire and was crowned German Emperor.

The palace of Versailles in France was chosen as the place to establish the empire. Proclaiming the emperor in France was of unique significance to all Prussians.

The predecessor of the empire, Prussia, defeated France, the former European hegemon. This also symbolizes Bismarck and William I's good expectations for the new German Empire, which is to replace France as the new European hegemon.

In May 1870, in the eyes of hatred of the French people, in the complex eyes of the French National Defense Government, in the fiery gaze of the Junker nobles, and in the fanatical shouts of the Prussian army, King William I of Prussia was officially crowned as the German Emperor, called William I.

The coronation ceremony was not complicated, and only a few nobles from Prussia and Germany participated.

In order to prevent other powers from interfering in the outcome of the Franco-Prussian War, Bismarck and William I did not even invite the European powers, but only announced the establishment of the German Empire after the coronation ceremony.

In Germany, the Germans were of course cheering.

But in France, for the once proud French, the feeling was not so good.

Germany was established by stepping on the heads of the French. As long as the German Empire exists, it will bring endless humiliation to the French.

The establishment of the German Empire has obviously deepened the hatred between the Germans and the French. The hegemony between the two most powerful land powers on the European continent today will affect the situation in the whole of Europe, including Spain to the south of France.

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