Kaiserbrief

Lore & Background

The Kaiserbrief originated from negotiations between Bismarck and Ludwig II's confidant, Count Holnstein, who arrived in Versailles on 25 November 1870. Bismarck had previously reached an agreement with the Bavarian government on 23 November 1870, granting Bavaria concessions including its own post, telecommunication systems, railways, and peacetime army. The letter was drafted by Bismarck on 27 November 1870 after discussions with Holnstein, whose exact content remains unknown.

Ludwig II, a supporter of a Greater German solution including Austria, had opposed Prussia after the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, in which Bavaria fought as an Austrian ally. Bavaria paid 30 million guilders in compensation and subordinated its army to Prussian command. Ludwig refused to lead Bavarian troops in the 1870 war and was absent from victory celebrations at Versailles, rejecting initial requests to propose William I as emperor.

Ludwig's notorious financial problems, stemming from his extensive building and cultural projects, were known to Bismarck. A telegram from Prussian ambassador Count Werthern on 19 November 1870 stated that six million guilders would induce Ludwig to agree to the imperial proclamation. Bismarck formulated the letter after agreeing to Ludwig's demands, refraining from requiring Ludwig's personal presence at Versailles.

Reader's Guide

The Kaiserbrief is significant as the formal mechanism by which the German imperial crown was offered to Prussian King William I, resolving a political impasse. William I hesitated to accept the title, preferring his Prussian kingship and fearing the appearance of a crown granted by parliaments rather than princes. Bismarck needed the initiative to come from the German princes, especially the highest-ranking, the King of Bavaria, to satisfy William's condition that the crown be offered with 'free consent of the crowned heads.' The letter's instigation involved disputed circumstances, with some interpretations suggesting corruption due to Ludwig's financial desperation. The document thus represents both the culmination of German unification under Prussian leadership and the controversial means by which princely consent was secured.

Did You Know?

• The Kaiserbrief was signed by Bismarck on 27 November 1870 and by Ludwig II on 30 November 1870.
• Prince Luitpold of Bavaria personally handed the letter to Prussian King William I on 3 December 1870.
• Ludwig II's financial problems were so severe that a telegram noted six million guilders would induce him to agree to the imperial proclamation.
• Bismarck drafted the letter after meeting with Ludwig's confidant Count Holnstein, whose conversation details remain unknown.