Just how powerful was the German Emperor?

Question

When Wilhelm I was proclaimed "German Emperor" back in 1871, just how power came with that new position? Did Wilhelm have enough authority to seriously influence the policies and actions of the German Empire? Or did Bismarck hold the real power, leaving Wilhelm as a mere figurehead, akin to the Queen of England's present role?

Answer 1

How Powerful can an Emperor Be. How does he or she manipulate the power available to them? How astute are they with wielding the trappings of power? It is the same with Chieftains, Kings, Presidents, Czars, Emperors. The Man Woman is the Measure of their Power. Wilhelm I was a cagey 'foe' of Bismark, they made a great team, and by creating an unwieldy bureaucracy they 'ensured' that a Smart Emperor and a Crafty Prime Minister/Chancellor could manage the unruly demands of thousands of rich power wielders and ultimately the millions of 'ordinary' citizens.

The key was King/Emperor and Prime Minister - - - both Britain and Germany created a System whereby one thick wad could jam the toilet. A 'well meaning' but blundering Kaiser such as Wilhelm the Second and a series of clueless stupid Chancellors and Disaster. The same thing happens in America when the Prez falls out of sync with the head of the Senate and House of Reps (actually in America there are Four branchs of government, not three).

Wilhelm the Grandfather and Grandson WIlhelm the Second were very different sorts. Wilhelm the 2nd lacked the diplomatic skills needed to woo politcians. Wilhelm made himself impotent - - - - among Germans once one loses respect it is a downhill spiral. World War One was the result of a breakdown of the German Givernment. There was a lot of "oh, I thought the Kaiser wanted this done," said when a piece of legislation resulted in something like the launching of World War One. (again see Amrica for scary analogy)...

The Emperor or King or President can choose to be a mere figurehead, such as Elizabeth 2, or woo & seduce with skill as did Ronald Reagan and provide actual leadership, but mostly I am afraid it is a rudderless ship carried on by the sheer momentum of a nation of many milions.

Pax----------------------

Answer 2

Bismarck replaced into the ability in the back of the throne, who replaced into to blame for amalgamating the countless states into one united states of america. although Wilhelm i replaced into no longer a figurehead, he replaced into based on Bismark, who held all the powers of government as Chancellor. That replaced into undeniable to be considered whilst Wilhelm II omitted Bismarck, and events spiralled out of control below his misjudgement.

Answer 3

Not nearly as powerful as the position was a hundred years before that, but not completely powerless either

Answer 4

Germans didn't have emperors, they had kaisers