Europe & colonial empiresEuropeAfricaOceania
German Empire
The German Empire was proclaimed in 1871 after Prussia led the unification of the German states, with Wilhelm I as emperor and Otto von Bismarck as chancellor. It acquired colonies in Africa and the Pacific. Defeat in the First World War ended the monarchy in 1918.
Key facts
| Dates | 1871 – 1918 CE |
|---|---|
| Region | Europe & colonial empires |
| Continent | Europe, Africa, Oceania |
| Capital | Berlin |
| Founder | Wilhelm I |
| Religion(s) | Protestantism, Catholic Christianity |
Before & after
Preceded by
Second French Empire Kingdom of Prussia Kingdom of Bavaria
Followed by
Sources
Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.