Live auction - fwo_581953 - GERMANY - KINGDOM OF PRUSSIA - WILLIAM I 20 Mark, 1e type 1872 Francfort

GERMANY - KINGDOM OF PRUSSIA - WILLIAM I

(2/01/1861-9/03/1888)

Guillaume I is the second son of Frédéric Guillaume III and the brother of Frédéric Guillaume IV. He has been regent for his brother since 1856 when he succeeded him in 1861. He marries Augusta of Saxe-Weimar from whom he has two children including Frederick III. With his minister Otto von Bismarck, he will achieve German unity. The Austro-Prussian War of 1866 with Sadowa's victory rid him of Austria and strengthen the North German Confederation. The war started against France in 1870 will bring him, by the Treaty of Frankfurt, Alsace and Lorraine on May 10, 1871. On January 28, 1871, he was crowned Emperor of Germany in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.. The payment of the indemnity of 5 billion gold francs paid by France will enable it to succeed in its monetary reform, based on the gold standard. Bismarck remains Prime Minister of Prussia and imposes his views on foreign policy: isolation of France, alliance with Italy, Austria and Russia. The Berlin Congress allows Germany to pose as the arbiter of Europe and to constitute a colonial empire in Africa, Asia and Oceania. William I died in his nineties in 1888..