Bundesprasidium
The federal constitution establishes a constitutional monarchy with the Prussian King as the bearer of the Bundesprasidium, or head of state
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1871 in Germany
Explore 68 historical events and records for Germany in 1871.
Historical records for Germany in 1871
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 68 unique records.
68Unique records
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25Named events on this page
10Named people on this page
9Places on this page
January
Constitution
Laws can only be enabled with the consent of the Reichstag (a Parliament based on universal male suffrage) and the Federal Council (a representation of the states)
Constitution
The North German Confederation adopts a new constitution, which was written under the title of a new "German Confederation" but already gave it the name "German Empire"
Constitution
The federal constitution establishes a constitutional monarchy with the Prussian King as the bearer of the Bundesprasidium, or head of state
German Empire
The North German Confederation adopts a new constitution, which was written under the title of a new "German Confederation" but already gave it the name "German Empire"
North German Confederation
Laws can only be enabled with the consent of the Reichstag (a Parliament based on universal male suffrage) and the Federal Council (a representation of the states)
North German Confederation
The North German Confederation adopts a new constitution, which was written under the title of a new "German Confederation" but already gave it the name "German Empire"
North German Confederation
The south German states of Baden, Hesse-Darmstadt, Wurttemberg and Bavaria join the North German Confederation
Unification
The North German Confederation adopts a new constitution, which was written under the title of a new "German Confederation" but already gave it the name "German Empire"
Unification
The south German states of Baden, Hesse-Darmstadt, Wurttemberg and Bavaria join the North German Confederation
Battle of Le Mans
Defeats General Chanzy
Constitution of Germany
Declared Emperor of a united German Reich in the Galerie des Glaces in Versailles
German Empire Proclaimed
Becomes Crown Prince of the new German Empire.
German Empire Proclaimed
Proclaimed German Emperor while Frederick remains heir.
Unification
Declared Emperor of a united German Reich in the Galerie des Glaces in Versailles
Peace
Royal orders force Moltke to submit to Bismarck who wishes to end the war
Peace
Put in control of the armistice talks
February
Birth of Friedrich Ebert
Birth of Friedrich Ebert
Kulturkampf
The Kanzelparagraph remains in force until 1953, several religious orders like the Jesuits remained banned from the German Empire, confiscated properties were not returned, discrimination against the Catholic minority continued in Civil Service
Peace
Discusses peace terms with Thiers & Favre
March
Reichstag
Opens the 1st Reichstag of the 2nd Reich
May
Rule of Alsace
Under the Treaty of Frankfurt Germany keeps Alsace
Rule of Lorraine
Under the Treaty of Frankfurt Germany keeps Alsace
Treaty of Frankfurt
Germany keeps Alsace & Lorraine. Ends the Franco-Prussian War. A German army of occuption will remain in France until the war indemnity is paid
June
The Civil War in France
Marx publishes an address defending the Paris Commune and assessing its historical significance.
December
German Coinage Unification
Imperial coinage legislation creates the mark and begins replacing the diverse currencies of the German states, preparing the institutional basis for a unified gold standard.
Gold Coinage
Imperial legislation authorises gold coins for the newly unified German currency system.
Other events (month unknown)
Alliance Ludwig II and Prussia
Supports Prussia, although supported Austria against Prussia in 1866. Offers the German crown to the King of Prussia
Alliance Otto Eduard Leopold Furst von Bismarck-Schonhausen and Beust
Reconciles William & Francis Joseph & discusses alliance with Beust
Black Sea Clauses
Supports a conference settlement over Russia's Black Sea declaration.
Breslau Professorship
Dilthey takes up a professorship at the University of Breslau.
Bundesrat
Legislation requires the consent of the Bundesrat, the federal council of deputies
Bundesrat
The Chancellor serves the Emperor's first minister and as presiding officer of the Bundesrat, the upper chamber of the German Parliament appointed by the Emperor
Centre Party
Defends Catholic interests against Bismarck's Kulturkampf
Chancellor
Emperor. The 1866 North German Constitution becomes the 1871 Constitution of the German Empire with some adjustments. Appointed Imperial Chancellor of the German Empire
Chancellor
The German Empire is the name used in English to describe the first 47 years of the German Reich when it was a semi-constitutional monarchy: beginning with the unification of Germany and proclamation of William I of Prussia as German
Chancellor
The new empire has a Parliament with two houses, the lower house, or Reichstag, is elected by universal male suffrage, however, the original constituencies drawn in 1871 were never redrawn to reflect the growth of urban areas.
Constitution of Germany
A National Government, Reichstag, is elected by all males over 25 by secret ballot
Constitution of Germany
Bismarck's intention is to create a constitutional facade which would mask the continuation of authoritarian policies
Constitution of Germany
Executive power is vested in the Kaiser who is assisted by a Chancellor responsible only to him
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.