Year of the Three Emperors

As the Three Emperors 1888 was the year in German history. On Wilhelm I, who died in Berlin on March 9, followed by his ill with throat cancer son Friedrich Wilhelm as Frederick III. , Who died in Potsdam after 99 days regency on 15 June. He was followed on the same day his eldest son Frederick William, who ascended the throne as William II, German Emperor and King of Prussia. Within just four months thus ruled three generations of rulers Germany.

Friedrich III. 1888

Wilhelm II 1888-1918

Historical Significance

From the fact of the reign of three emperors in a given year, in 1888, no special significance. Assigned it is speculation, as the 20th century with its two world wars would have been able to develop when the liberal for his time, Frederick III. would have had the opportunity to a long reign.

One can also ask whether Chancellor Otto von Bismarck would have stayed longer in power ( Wilhelm II dismissed him in March 1890). Bismarck was since the general election on 21 February 1887 zenith of his power: the government camp of Conservatives and National Liberals now had an absolute majority. Bismarck had with the cartel parties called now those parliamentary majority, which he had sought in the past ten years. He could enforce his military and political plans and benefits for his conservative clientele. Due to the new position of power of Bismarck played the accession of Frederick III. March 1888 only a minor role. When the terminally ill new emperor refused to agree to an extension of the legislature and of the Socialist Law, Bismarck taught the Empress that the monarch " as such is not a factor of the legislation" is.

In many surrounding countries, there were many years of regencies. Examples:

  • United Kingdom: Queen Victoria (1837-1901)
  • Austria - Hungary: Kaiser Franz Joseph I (1848-1916)
  • Italy: King Umberto I (1878-1900)
  • Denmark: King Christian IX. (1863-1906)

In France, however, one of the few former republics, there were 1871 to 1920 eight presidents of the Third Republic.

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