German Rulers & Government- 19th Century

"Germany, as a country, did not exist until 1871.  Before then, the area that would become Germany consisted of a number of independent states varying in size and power, ranging from kingdoms and grand duchies to principalities, cities and ecclesiastical states.  The first half of the nineteenth century, before the American Civil War, was a very turbulent time for this area of Europe." (Source, November 16, 2011)

1806 - Napoleon's armies impose French rule over much of Germany; Francis II declares abolition of Holy Roman Empire and adopts title of emperor of Austria.

Napoleon:

Francis II

1813 - Defeat of Napoleon at Battle of Leipzig.

Battle of Leipzig

1848 - Year of Revolutions; failure of liberals' attempt to unite Germany under democratic constitution; start of period of rapid industrialization.  

1871 - Otto von Bismarck achieves unification of Germany under leadership of Prussia; new German Empire's authoritarian constitution creates elected national parliament (Reichstag) but gives Kaiser (emperor) extensive powers.

Otto von Bismarck

1888 - Start of Wilhelm II's reign; start of trend towards colonial expansion and build-up of German navy to compete with Britain's; rapid growth of Germany's economic power.

 Wilhelm II

1890 - Growing workers' movement culminates in founding of Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). 

Source #1 11/16/2011 
Source #2 11/16/11
Source #3 11/16/11
Source #4 11/16/11