|
Wilhelm I, also known as Wilhelm the Great (22 March 1797 – 9 March 1888) of the House of Hohenzollern was the King of Prussia (1861–1888) and the first German Emperor (1871–1888).
Under the leadership of Wilhelm and his prime minister Otto von Bismarck, Prussia achieved the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire.
Wilhelm I in Southern Victory[]
Wilhelm I's ambassador to the United States, Kurd von Schlozer, negotiated an alliance with the US with President James G. Blaine. This alliance served as foundation for the Quadruple Alliance.[1]
Wilhelm was the grandfather of Wilhelm II, who was Kaiser during the Great War. The elder Wilhelm was not as authoritarian as his grandson (or his great-grandson, Friedrich Wilhelm V), wisely preferring to leave much of the administration of his newfound country to its extremely capable Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck.
In 1881, Alfred von Schlieffen incorrectly stated that Wilhelm I was one of the last surviving men to have fought under Emperor Napoleon I of France in the early 19th Century. In fact, the young Wilhelm fought against Napoleon, not under him.
References[]
- ↑ How Few Remain, generally.
Royal offices (OTL) | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by New title |
German Emperor 1871-1888 |
Succeeded by Frederick III |
Preceded by Frederick Wilhelm IV |
King of Prussia 1861-1888 |
Succeeded by Frederick III |
Political offices (OTL) | ||
Preceded by Franz Joseph I of Austria as President of the German Confederation |
President of the North German Confederation 1 July 1867 – 18 January 1871 |
Confederation abolished German Empire proclaimed
|
|