After the peace treaty with France was signed, there was no longer any external interference in the unification of Germany.
However, transforming the Kingdom of Prussia into the German Empire was not easy, as many states, including Bavaria, were concerned about their independence after German unification.
The new empire was bound to be less decentralized than the Holy Roman Empire, and if Bavaria were to lose its independence due to German unification, it would be difficult for King Ludwig II of Bavaria to accept.
After all, a King of Bavaria with no real power, while holding the same title rank as the current King of Bavaria who wields actual authority, would have vastly different influence throughout the German region.
Prussia was also not peaceful at this time.
Many nobles, including King Wilhelm I of Prussia,
were not very enthusiastic about the establishment of the new empire.
This was because after the empire was established, the Kingdom of Prussia, which they had once been so proud of, would become part of the empire. The Hohenzollern family, as the imperial family, might also abandon their old traditions of extreme frugality and emulate the extravagant European monarchs, indulging in lavish spending.
Such concerns were not unfounded.
Although both emperors and kings are independent rulers, being the King of Prussia and being the Emperor of Germany are completely different.
Becoming the Emperor of Germany meant having completed the important task of unifying the German region and becoming one of only three emperors in Europe.
The newly established German Empire was bound to become an even more powerful great power, its overall national strength far surpassing its long-time enemy, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, reaching the level of Britain and France.
Having achieved such success, it was difficult to guarantee that the Hohenzollern family would not become complacent, relax after a long period of tension, and begin to enjoy the luxurious life of the imperial family.
But where there was opposition, there was also support, especially from Wilhelm I's son, Crown Prince Frederick William Nicholas Charles of Prussia. (The father of Wilhelm II)
This Crown Prince, born in 1831, was now nearing the age of 40.
In Europe, where the average life expectancy was only thirty to forty years, Crown Prince Frederick's age was already considered middle-aged or elderly.
Although there was no hope of succession in the short term, Crown Prince Frederick was willing to see the establishment of the empire if it meant gaining a higher title.
After all, who would be content to remain a Crown Prince their entire life? With Wilhelm I living such a long time, Crown Prince Frederick could only improve his title through the establishment of the empire.
How long did Wilhelm I live? Born in 1797, Wilhelm I historically did not die until 1888, living for 91 years.
This was extremely rare in 19th-century Europe and would even be considered longevity in the 21st century, more than 100 years later.
As Wilhelm I's son, Crown Prince Frederick's fate was relatively tragic.
Historically, Crown Prince Frederick did not ascend the throne until 1888. Due to suffering from throat cancer, he died after reigning for only 99 days, which earned him the nickname the "Hundred-Day Emperor."
He waited from 1831 to 1888, a total of 57 years. 57 years of waiting only to gain the imperial throne for 99 days; Crown Prince Frederick is absolutely the most tragic Crown Prince of the 19th century.
Of course, Crown Prince Frederick had not yet been diagnosed with throat cancer at this time, and his health was relatively good.
Under Crown Prince Frederick's forceful arguments, Wilhelm I eventually agreed to the establishment of the new empire.
However, Wilhelm I also made a condition: he would only do so if other German monarchs proposed that he assume the imperial title.
If the Reichstag proposed Wilhelm I's enthronement before the other monarchs, Wilhelm I would reject the Reichstag's proposal.
The reason was simple. If the proposal to establish the empire came from the monarchs of other German states, it would demonstrate that the German Empire was recognized by the various states and was popular among the people.
However, if the proposal to establish the empire came from Prussia's own Reichstag, it would seem somewhat self-serving and would make Wilhelm I's legitimacy somewhat unstable from the outset.
Among the many German states, the one most qualified to request Wilhelm I's coronation as emperor was the Kingdom of Bavaria, the largest state in Southern Germany.
To accelerate the establishment of the empire, Bismarck wrote a letter to King Ludwig II of Bavaria, requesting that Ludwig II proactively propose Wilhelm I's coronation as German Emperor.
By this time, Bismarck had already agreed that Bavaria would enjoy a certain degree of independence within the German Empire, as well as the right for the King of Bavaria to retain command of the Bavarian army during peacetime.
The Bavarian government also had a say in foreign affairs, enjoyed financial privileges, and was not required to adhere to Prussian military regulations.
They could retain their own specific laws regarding marriage and civil rights, and could also keep their own postal and telegraph services.
These were significant concessions to Bavaria, and after receiving so many benefits and guarantees, Ludwig II naturally would not oppose Wilhelm I's coronation.
Thus, at the public request of Ludwig II, Wilhelm I officially agreed to establish the German Empire and was crowned German Emperor.
The location for the empire's establishment was chosen as the Palace of Versailles in France, which held unique significance for all Prussians to be crowned in France.
Prussia, the precursor to the empire, had defeated the former European hegemon, France, symbolizing Bismarck and Wilhelm I's high hopes for the nascent German Empire: to replace France as the new European hegemon.
In May 1870, under the hateful gaze of the French people, the complex eyes of the French Government of National Defense, the fervent stares of the Junker nobility, and the passionate cheers of the Prussian army, King Wilhelm I of Prussia was officially crowned German Emperor, taking the name Wilhelm I.
The coronation ceremony was not complex, and the attendees were only a few nobles from Prussia and other German states.
To prevent other great powers from interfering with the outcome of the Franco-Prussian War, Bismarck and Wilhelm I did not even invite European great powers extensively; they merely announced the establishment of the German Empire after the coronation ceremony concluded.
Within Germany, the German people naturally erupted in cheers.
But within France, for the once-proud French people, the feeling was not so pleasant.
Germany was established on the heads of the French people; as long as the German Empire existed for a day, it would bring endless humiliation to the French.
The establishment of the German Empire clearly deepened the hatred between the Germans and the French. The rivalry between the two most powerful land powers on the European continent would affect the entire situation in Europe, including Spain to the south of France.
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