German Politics ca. 1870-1919

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The new emporer of Germany was William I of Prussia.

In 1870 after the Fraco-Prussian war, all the German states were joined because of Otto von Bismark's propaganda for all the states to join the Prussian cause to fight Napolean III.

Bismark is named Chancellor which gave him almost complete control of foreign and domestic affairs. 
In order to keep the states united, Bismark thought it important to:
1.Advance a strong military program
2.To gain a friendship with Austria
3.To preserve British friendship by avoiding naval or colonial rivalry
4.To isolate France in diplomacy so that revenge would be impossible.

In 1882, a triple alliance between Germany, Austria, and Italy was created. In the process, however, bad relations were formed between Russia and Germany.

Bismark, living up to his reputation, recreated the Russian alliance with Germany with the Reinsurance Treaty of 1887.

Bismark's power came to a close with the death of Emperor Frederick III. A struggles between Bismarck and William II developed as soon as William was crowned and ended with Bismarck's dismissal in 1890.

William II's main focus was foreign affairs. However, he was unable to maintain the balance Bismark had. Germany interferred with French colonization in N. Africa, which led to an alliance between France and England. Also, William didn't renew the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia.

WWI caused William's power to decline. On November 9, 1918 Prince Max announced William's abdication without the emprorer's permission. After fleeing to Holland to escape war crimes, William formally stepped down.