Page 62 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

60  INTRODUCING GERM AN Y THE HIST OR Y OF GERM AN Y  61

Bismarck’s Germany Ludwig II of Bavaria
The federal states, which
The establishment of a Reich headed by the King of Prussia made up the Reich, enjoyed
complete autonomy. Their
on 18 January 1871 ensured Prussia’s prominent role over the rulers, however, for instance
following decades. The Chancellor was the Prussian Prime King Ludwig II of Bavaria,
Minister Otto von Bismarck. Thanks to large reparations paid patron of Richard Wagner and
by France and a favourable economic situation, the economy builder of “fantastic” castles
flourished throughout the Reich. This in turn fostered the and palaces, had little real
political influence.
development of science and culture. The cities grew rapidly, Germany in 1871
and the housing shortage led to the development of huge The Second German Reich
Mietskasernen, blocks of apartments for renting.
Officer’s helmet
The characteristic spiked
helmet worn by German
Kaiser Wilhelm I soldiers was known as
Mosaics, depicting a procession a Pickelhaube.
of members of the house of
Hohenzollern, decorate the
vestibule of the Kaiser-Wilhelm The Kaiser’s
Gedächtnichskirche (memorial wife, Augusta
church) in Berlin. Victoria

Mourning dress was
worn by the women and
The Kaiser’s Family Taking a black ribbons by the men
Walk in Sanssouci Park as a mark of respect for
“Happy family” portraits such as the two previous Kaisers
this one were often painted for Wilhelm, the heir who had died in 1888 –
propaganda purposes. to the throne the father and grandfather
of Wilhelm II.

The Diplomatic
Corps

The Reichstag
The monumental Reichstag (parliament
building), was built in the centre of the
capital, Berlin, by the architect Paul Wallot.

Otto von Bismarck Kaiser Wilhelm II
Members of Heads of the
Parliament federal states Inauguration of the Reichstag
This vast canvas by Anton von Werner (1893)
shows the opening ceremony for the
Reichstag after the coronation of Kaiser Otto von Bismarck
Wilhelm II on 25 June 1888 in the Kaiser’s Originating from a
Palace in Berlin. The painter depicts the Pomeranian family of
A Steel Mill in Königshütte moment when the Kaiser delivers his speech. Junkers, the Prussian
Germany’s economic progress was achieved Premier and Chancellor
through a high degree of industrialization. of the Reich was one of
Adolf von Menzel’s painting depicts a steel the most prominent
mill in Königshütte, Upper Silesia. political figures of his time.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight history template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.2)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm