# Proclamation of the German Empire (1871)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1871-proclamation-of-the-german-empire
Location: Palace of Versailles
Categories: ruler-change, main-event

On 18 January 1871 Wilhelm I of Prussia was proclaimed German Emperor in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The German Empire united 25 states under Prussian leadership, without Austria. Bismarck became Chancellor.

## Why it matters
It created the first German nation-state.

Ruler at the time: [Wilhelm I](https://germany-history.com/rulers/wilhelm-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Proclamation of the German Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proclamation_of_the_German_Empire)
- [Wikipedia – German Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Empire)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica – German Empire](https://www.britannica.com/place/German-Empire)