Imperial plan of 1870
Bismarck's plan to crown a German Emperor.
The Imperial Plan of 1870 was a diplomatic move by Otto von Bismarck, the Prussian Minister President and Federal Chancellor of the North German Confederation. Its core goal was to allow the Prussian King to take the title of German Emperor.
After the Austro-Prussian War ended in 1866 and the North German Confederation was formed in 1867, unification efforts had stalled. Southern German states generally showed no interest in joining the Confederation. Bismarck sought a way to keep the German question alive. In late 1869, he discussed his plan with Crown Prince Frederick William, who had ties to England. The British Ambassador, after speaking with the Crown Prince, was supportive and agreed to approach France. As expected, Paris protested. Bismarck assumed the initiative would take time.
Surprisingly, Bavarian politician Nepomuk Sepp, known for anti-Protestant views, expressed a positive stance, suggesting he might support a German emperor if a new National Assembly were formed. Bismarck enlisted Julius Fröbel to help find acceptance for the imperial title first in Southern Germany, especially Bavaria, before raising it again at the European level. However, the plan was soon overtaken by the Hohenzollern candidacy for the Spanish throne from April 1870, which escalated into the Franco-Prussian War. During that war, in December, the Reichstag approved the Federal Council’s request to include the German Emperor title in the constitution, and on 18 January 1871, the Prussian King was proclaimed Emperor at Versailles—a direct outcome of the war and unification process, not a revival of a stalled plan.
Bismarck’s motives included renaming the Prussian Foreign Office to the North German Foreign Office and addressing the North German federal level’s development. He saw the plan as a way to ignite the idea of German unity, gain prestige for the King before upcoming military budget debates, and replace the impractical title of "presidency" used in diplomatic traffic. At the end of 1870, King William I had reservations about the specific title 'Emperor of Germany' versus 'German Emperor,' but he was not a vehement opponent of the imperial title itself.
- Initiated by
- Otto von Bismarck
- Date proposed
- Late 1869
- Field
- Diplomacy
- Nationality
- Prussian / North German
- Known for
- Proposal to create German Emperor title
- Key opponent
- King William I of Prussia (had reservations about the title, not the concept)
Lore & Background
Since the end of the Austro-Prussian War in 1866 and the foundation of the North German Confederation by Prussia in 1867, the policy for unification had been stalled. The southern German states were generally not affected by the idea of joining the North German Confederation. In this situation, Bismarck wondered how to keep the German question moving. In late 1869, Bismarck discussed his plan with the Prussian Crown Prince Frederick William, who had good connections to England. Later, the British Ambassador, who had spoken to the Crown Prince, showed his benevolence and agreed to make contact with France. As expected, Paris responded with protest. Bismarck had already assumed that his initiative would take a long time.
Surprisingly, the anti-Protestant politician Nepomuk Sepp in the Second Chamber of Bavaria expressed a positive attitude, at least not disagreeing about a German emperor. Bismarck received the help of Julius Fröbel with the intention of finding the Kaisertitel only in Southern Germany and especially in Bavaria, and only then to visit the European level again. However, the imperial plan was soon overtaken by the Hohenzollern candidacy for the Spanish throne from April 1870, which triggered the Franco-Prussian War. The war and subsequent unification process directly led to the imperial proclamation in January 1871, rather than the plan simply being overshadowed or stalled.
Reader's Guide
The Imperial Plan of 1870 represents a key diplomatic maneuver by Otto von Bismarck to overcome the stalled unification of Germany after the Austro-Prussian War. By proposing that the Prussian King assume the title of German Emperor, Bismarck sought to gain prestige before military budget debates and to resolve the impracticality of the existing 'presidency' title in diplomatic traffic. The plan initially faced protest from France and reluctance from King William I, who feared the title would be artificial and not recognized by other monarchs. Despite these obstacles, the plan gained unexpected support from Bavarian politician Nepomuk Sepp and was advanced through the efforts of Julius Fröbel. The outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War and the subsequent Reichstag approval in December 1870 allowed the plan to succeed, culminating in the Imperial Proclamation on 18 January 1871. The plan's significance lies in its role as a catalyst for the formal establishment of the German Empire, though it was ultimately overshadowed by the war and the Hohenzollern succession crisis in Spain.
Did You Know?
- Bismarck discussed the plan with Crown Prince Frederick William on 7 January 1870.
- The British Ambassador showed benevolence and agreed to contact France, which responded with protest.
- Bavarian politician Nepomuk Sepp expressed a positive attitude about a German emperor.
- King William I was vehemently against the Emperor's title, fearing it would be artificial and not recognized.
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