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Dispatch → Bulletin → Policy
by 
The Ludist Empire of Socialist States of Ludistan.
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Kingdom of Germany
Königreich Deutschland
Motto:
In Treue fest
Map of the Kingdom of Germany
Population: 50,453,000
Capital: München
Largest City: Berlin
Official Languages: German, Bavarian, French
Demonym: German
Government: Federal Semi-Constitutional Monarchy
King of the Germans: Charles I
Heir Apparent: Louis von Wittelsbach
Legislature: Reichstag
- Upper House: Kammer der Reichsräte
- Lower House: Kammer der Abgeordneten
Establishment: 10 January 1820
Currency: Reichsgulden
Preceded by: Confederation of the Rhine
von Wittelsbach
Charles I, King of the Germans
King of the Germans |
In office:
29 February 1868 - present
Preceded by: Louis I
Personal Details |
Born: | 12 March 1821 |
Spouse: | Queen Auguste Ferdinande |
Children: | Prince Louis |
House: | House of Wittelsbach |
Father: | Louis I of Germany |
Mother: | Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen |
Religion: | Roman Catholicism |
The Kingdom of Germany is a federal monarchy, comprised of several lesser states, each ruled by their own Princes and Dukes. The ruler of the kingdom, the King of the Germans, is Luitpold Charles von Wittelsbach, under the regal name of Charles I. The monarchs of Germany are members of the House of Wittelsbach, and have all been so since the creation of the German Kingdom in 1820. The country has a constitution, limiting the powers of the king to a certain degree. As such the country is primarily ruled by the Reichstag and its Chancellor, a position that, with the approval of the king, is elected by the upper house at least every five years. The Reichstag consists both of a lower house, the Kammer der Abgeordneten (House of Representatives), and the aforementioned upper house, the Kammer der Reichsräte (House of Councillors).
The Kingdom of Germany was founded by the Kingdom of Bavaria, with the support of the French Empire, in 1820. By this time the French, under the leadership of Emperor Napoleon I, had become the dominant rulers of the European mainland. All the way from Catalonia to Poland, from Sicily to Norway, the French controlled the continent. And this included almost all former states of the Holy Roman Empire, except the Austrian Empire. Even the once great Kingdom of Prussia had submitted to the French eagle.
As such King Maximilian I of Bavaria, a loyal ally of Napoleon, came to him with a proposal. One that entailed the unification of Germany by the German lands in the French sphere of influence, with Maximilian Joseph himself as the King of the Germans. Napoleon was hesitant to accept, fearing that a powerful German State may in the future be able to contend with the French. However he would come to the conclusion that with the creation of the Confederation of the Rhine, the establishment of a formal German State would in time be inevitable, and that it would as such be better if it was one that Napoleon himself could rule over. It was in fact his advisor Talleyrand who helped convince him of this, as he had taken a nice bribe from Maximilian Joseph himself.
On the 10th of January 1820, the many noblemen of Germany would all come together at Munich to witness the coronation of their new king, and to swear loyalty to the new Kingdom of Germany and its constitution, which had of course been written by Napoleon and the French State. The constitution would be a very liberal one, ensuring freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right to education as well as men’s suffrage. However it would also ensure more conservative things such as the unchangeable legal status of the monarchy, it’s right to censor the people as it pleased, and the sworn vassalage of Germany to the French Empire.
At the coronation, to exemplify Napoleons status, and the power that he held over the Wittelsbach monarchy, and the newly established Kingdom of Germany, instead of the Pope or a Bishop crowning Maximilian Joseph as king, it would be Napoleon himself. It would be hereafter that the other German royalty would acknowledge Maximilian I as their rightful king. That being said, royals such as Frederick William III of Prussia, were still allowed to keep their title of king. Just as long as they still acknowledged that they were directly subservient to the rightful King of the Germans.
After the establishment of the Kingdom of Germany, and the consolidation of its power, the country would be in for a short period of instability. The sudden and early unification of the German people would be a bit problematic, and religious and national differences would become a hot topic for debate. A few minor rebellions and uprisings in the first ten years would take place, however nothing supported by the aristocracy of the realm. On the other hand, while many German philosophers and nationalists would obviously be pleased with the unification of most of the German people, there would be a great displeasure that this was done under the vassalage of the French. That said, no actual coup would be attempted. And other than the occasional failed political assassination, the realm would be stable.
King Maximilian I died the 13th October 1825, at the age of 69. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Ludwig von Wittelsbach, who took the regal name of King Louis I. Louis I was under no circumstances a popular monarch, and he loathed ruling as a constitutional monarch. He had a hard time swallowing his pride, and after the death of Emperor Napoleon I, he would several times find himself in private conflicts with the French State. However these would mostly be small, and Louis I would despite all this stay loyal to the French, as he knew that without them he could possibly be invaded by the Austrians, or worse, dethroned by his own people. Louis I would have a long rule of around 43 years, until his death on the 29th February 1868. His reign had been rather tumultuous, politically speaking, but despite this the young Kingdom of Germany wouldn’t find itself in any international conflict throughout it. His reign is though best remembered for an increase in the power of the Catholic Church, and the construction of beautiful monasteries and cathedrals. Especially in King Louis’ homeland of Bavaria. He would be succeeded by his third, and eldest surviving son, Luitpold Karl von Wittelsbach, who would take the regal name of King Charles I.
Charles I has proven to be a very centrist king, unlike his father, and he has shown very open to appeasing the Northern German and Lutheran population of his diverse Kingdom. And while he has shown to be very content remaining a mostly constitutional ruler, he has also supported the growth of German nationalism, and severing ties with the French. Tensions are rising, the popularity of King Charles I, not just among the German aristocracy, both Catholic and Protestant, but among the German people as well, poses a threat to French control over the Kingdom of Germany.
