Wilhelm I Biography

Marries Augusta

Flees to England because of his absolutism during the 1848 revolutions

Succeeds as Emperor of Germany

Made Regent when King Friedrich Wilhelm IV becomes insane, 1858-61

Appointed Commander of the Army of the Elbe

Elections take place for the new Reichstag. The Prussian landtag and the North German Governments accept a new Constitution. Appointed Head of the North German Confederation

Appointed Head of the North German Confederation

Elections take place for the new Reichstag

Elections take place for the new Reichstag

Following the protests by France, Leopold had withdrawn his acceptance in July 1870. This was already considered a diplomatic defeat for Prussia.

In early 1870, the German Prince Leopold, of the Roman Catholic cadet branch Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, had been offered the vacant Spanish throne.

The French were not yet satisfied with this and demanded further commitments, especially a guarantee by the Prussian king that no member of any branch of his Hohenzollern family would ever be a candidate for the Spanish throne

The Government of French Emperor Napoleon III voiced concern over a possible Spanish alliance with the Protestant House of Hohenzollern that ruled the Kingdom of Prussia, protested against it, and hinted about a war.

Forces Charles Anthony to reject the Spanish throne on behalf of his son Leopold

Bismarck uses Abekens telegram to declare war

Bismarck uses Abeken's telegram to declare war

Benedetti had been instructed by his superior, Foreign Minister Agenor, the Duc de Gramont, to present the French demand that the king should guarantee that he would never again permit the candidacy of a Hohenzollern prince to the Spanish throne.

King Wilhelm I of Prussia, on his morning stroll in the Kurpark in Ems, was stopped by Count Vincent Benedetti, the French ambassador to Prussia since 1864.

Politely, and in a friendly manner, the king refused to bind himself to any course of action into the indefinite future. After their exchange, "the two departed coolly."

The meeting was informal and took place on the promenade of the Kursaal with the king's entourage at a discreet distance.

Gramont wants "assurance that he will never authorize a renewal of the candidacy". Bismarck uses Abekens telegram to declare war

Sets out from Berlin to assume command of his armies in the field

Commands the Prussian forces which defeat the French under bazaine

Commands, with Moltke his right hand man, a victory which leads to the fall of Paris

Commands, with Moltke his right hand man, a victory which leads to the fall of Paris

Moves the Royal HQ from Ferrieres to the Royal Palace until the following Jan

Refuses the crown offered to him by the new Confeferation of a united Germany

Refuses the crown offered to him by the new Confeferation of a united Germany

Refuses the crown offered to him by the new Confeferation of a united Germany

Declared Emperor of a united German Reich in the Galerie des Glaces in Versailles

Proclaimed German Emperor while Frederick remains heir.

Declared Emperor of a united German Reich in the Galerie des Glaces in Versailles

Dies in Berlin age 90 & succeeded by his 57 year old son Friedrich Wilhelm