Kaiser - GCSE History Definition

Definition

The term 'Kaiser' was the title used by the rulers of the German, Austrian and Holy Roman Empires. It is derived from the word Caesar and is essentially the German word for emperor. 

It is most commonly associated with the rulers of Germany after 1871, especially in the lead up to and during the First World War.

Explanation

The title was first used by the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire in the 10th century CE. The Holy Roman Empire covered much of central Europe and, during the Middle Ages, was viewed as the successor to the Ancient Roman Empire.

The word Kaiser comes from the Latin word Caesar - which was the family name of the most famous Ancient Roman ruler and statesman, Julius Caesar.

The title Kaiser der Römer (Emperor of the Romans) was used until 1806 when a crushing defeat by Napoleon led to the end of the Holy Roman Empire.

Kaiser was then used by the Emperors of Austria (Kaiser von Österreich) and, from 1867, the rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The title stopped being used in Austria when the monarchy was abolished at the end of the First World war. 

The unification of Germany in 1871 under the leadership of Prussia led to the creation of the first Deutscher Kaiser (German Emperor). There were three German Kaisers in total. 

Wilhelm I ruled from 1871 to 1888 and is best known for his role in the unification of Germany and for his association with his Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. 

Frederick III ruled for just 99 days in 1888. He had already been diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the larynx when his father died. He was unable to speak throughout his short reign and communicated through writing. He died aged 56.

Wilhelm II succeeded his father to the throne and 1888 became known as the Year of the Three Kaisers. Wilhelm II is the best known and arguably the most historically significant of all of the kaisers.

He removed Bismarck as Chancellor and took more of Germany’s powers under his personal control. Wilhelm II built a German colonial empire and oversaw Germany becoming the biggest manufacturer of products in Europe. 

However, the other Great Powers increasingly saw Wilhelm as a threat and this left Germany isolated. When the First World War started in 1914, Germany’s only allies were the weaker nations of Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. 

Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate at the end of the First World War. He died in exile in the Netherlands in 1941. 

Key Historical Facts

The Russian word for emperor is Tsar or Czar. Like Kaiser, it is derived from the Latin word Caesar.

The death of Federick III at such a comparatively young age is seen as one of the great turning points in German and World history. Frederick died aged 56 but his father lived until he was 90 and his son lived until he was 82. Frederick was married to the eldest daughter of Britain’s Queen Victoria and many believed he planned to introduce democratic reforms to bring Germany closer to Britain’s constitutional monarchy. His death meant these reforms never happened and Wilhelm II took Germany down a different path that eventually led to war with Britain.

Wilhelm II suffered a traumatic birth which left him with a disability. He was born in the breech position (feet first) which resulted in his arm becoming trapped. The actions of the doctors in manipulating his arm and administering the anaesthetic chloroform are believed to have resulted in permanent injuries. Wilhelm’s left arm became withered and was around 15 centimetres shorter than his right. Modern doctors also believe the amount of chloroform given to the infant Wilhelm may have left him with permanent mild brain damage.

War-time attitudes and government propaganda left many people in Britain with negative associations with the term kaiser. However, this is not the case in the rest of the world. German footballing legend Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as both a player and a coach, was known as ‘der Kaiser’. Also, the most successful and well-supported football team in South Africa are the Kaizer Chiefs.

Kaiser Wilhelm II remained in exile and was not invited back to Germany after HItler became Chancellor in 1933. As a nationalist who had fought in the Kaiser’s army in the First World War, many people expected Hitler to bring the Kaiser back to Germany. However, Wilhelm remained in the Netherlands until his death in 1941. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Kaiser forced to abdicate? 

Once it became clear that Germany was unable to win the war, incidents of members of the German military refusing to follow orders increased. When the German Navy started planning to force a final battle against Britain’s Royal Navy, the sailors refused to set to sea. This became known as the Kiel mutiny and it quickly turned into a Revolution right across Germany. Wilhelm II wanted to use the army to defeat the rebels and restore order. However, on 9th November 1918, Wilhelm was told: 

“You no longer have an army. The Army will return home in perfect order behind its commanders and its generals, but not under the command of Your Majesty. The Army is no longer behind Your Majesty.”

Wilhelm II abdicated later that day and the Armistice to stop the fighting was signed two days later on the 11th November 1918. 

Are there any Kaisers today?

There are no ruling kaisers today. In Germany, the Weimar Constitution of 1919 abolished the office and title of Kaiser. However, the descendants of Wilhelm II have fought legal cases to try and regain property and art that belonged to their ancestors. 

How were the German Kaisers related to the British royal family?

Kaiser Frederick III married Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter - also called Victoria. That meant that their son,  Kaiser Wilhelm II, was Queen Victoria’s grandson. At the start of the First World War, the British King, George V, were both grandsons of Queen Victoria and were first cousins.

Did Kaiser Wilhelm II cause the First World War?

It is inaccurate and unfair to attribute the outbreak of war in 1914 solely to the actions of Kaiser Wilhelm II. However, in the long term, his aggressive foreign policies, expansion of his military and clumsy statements are widely believed to have helped create the atmosphere of tension and mistrust that led to war.

In the short term, his rush to assure Austria-Hungary of his unlimited support should they choose war after the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand is also seen as contributing to the outbreak of war in 1914.

Which is the most significant of the German Kaisers?

Wilhelm I is undoubtedly significant as he was the first of the German Kaisers and oversaw the unification and creation of the modern German state. However, his grandson Wilhelm II probably eclipses him in terms of significance. This is due to Wilhelm II’s key role in both the build up and duration of the First World War and because he oversaw Germany’s transformation into an industrial and military powerhouse. When most people hear the word Kaiser, it is Wilhelm II they think of. 

Related Glossaries 

Abdication

Armistice

Colonisation

Holy Roman Empire

Nationalism