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The Curious Bag
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The kaisers were the emperors of Germany from the time of national unification in 1871 to the end of World War I in 1918. There were only three German kaisers.
Origin
The term "kaiser" was first used in the Holy Roman Empire, a loose confederation of states in Central Europe that lasted for about 1,000 years, until 1804. Leaders of the Austro-Hungarian Empire also used the title.
Germany
For centuries, what we now call Germany was a patchwork quilt of kingdoms, principalities and city-states. War with France in 1871 brought these entities together in the German Empire, with the kings of Prussia--the most powerful German state--serving also as kaiser, or emperor.
Kaisers
Wilhelm I ruled from 1871 to 1888. Frederick III ruled for just more than three months in 1888. The last kaiser, Wilhelm II, ruled from 1888 to 1918.
End
After losing World War I, the German Empire and the state of Prussia were abolished, and Germany became a republic. Wilhelm II died in 1941.
Fun Fact
The word "kaiser" is derived from "Caesar," the title used by rulers of the Roman Empire following Julius Caesar. "Czar" comes from the same root.
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