German monarchy

Infobox monarchy
royal_title = Emperor
realm = Germany


type = other
coatofarms_article = Coat of arms of Germany#German Empire

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incumbent = Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia
his/her = His
heir_apparent = Prince Christian-Sigismund
first_monarch = Wilhelm I
date = 1871The German Monarchy existed formally from 1871 to 1918. The Holy Roman Empire was not only German, since it contained many different peoples and languages. The idea of Monarchy in Germany today is rather mixed, as few remember the German Empire. Although the Government was in appearance federal, democratic, and monarchic, in practice it was actually quite authoritarian. The Chancellor was chosen by the Emperor and was responsible only to him.

The German Empire was the most powerful country on mainland Europe for most of its brief existence, arguably one of the most powerful countries in the world. The Empire's greatest rivals were the French and Russian Empires, however the Empire that Germany most aspired to rival was that of the British despite the fact that both powers had maintained a close and healthy relationship for most of their existence.

Monarchies of the German Empire

* Kingdoms
**Prussia
**Bavaria
**Saxony
**Württemberg
* Grand Duchies
**Baden
**Hesse and by Rhine
**Mecklenburg-Schwerin
**Mecklenburg-Strelitz
**Oldenburg
**Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
* Duchies
**Anhalt
**Brunswick-Lüneburg
**Saxe-Altenburg
**Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
**Saxe-Meiningen
* Principalities
**Lippe
**Reuss-Gera or Reuss Younger Line
**Reuss-Greiz or Reuss Elder Line
**Schaumburg-Lippe
**Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
**Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
**Waldeck-Pyrmont