The German Empire

The German Empire (1871–1918) was a unified nation created when several German states, led by Prussia, united under the Prussian king, Wilhelm I, who became Emperor. It marked Germany’s emergence as a major industrial and military power in Europe. The empire had a constitutional government with an emperor and a parliament called the Reichstag. It experienced rapid economic growth, technological advancement, and territorial expansion. However, it also faced internal political tensions and international rivalries, particularly with Britain and France. The empire ended after World War I, leading to the establishment of the Weimar Republic.