# End of the Holy Roman Empire (1806)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1806-end-of-the-holy-roman-empire
Location: Vienna
Categories: ruler-change, main-event

On 6 August 1806, under pressure from Napoleon, Francis II laid down the imperial crown and dissolved the Holy Roman Empire. He had already proclaimed himself Emperor of Austria in 1804. The thousand-year empire ceased to exist.

## Why it matters
It ended the political framework of Germany since the Middle Ages.

Ruler at the time: [Frederick William III](https://germany-history.com/rulers/frederick-william-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_of_the_Holy_Roman_Empire)