![]() He inherited a conflict between Frederick William and the liberal parliament. On 2 January 1861 Frederick William died and Wilhelm ascended the throne as Wilhelm I of Prussia. Proclamation of the German Empire on 18 January 1871, painted by Anton von Werner In January 1858 Wilhelm became Prince Regent for his brother. In 1857 Frederick William IV suffered a stroke and became mentally disabled for the rest of his life. ![]() In 1854 the prince was raised to the rank of a field-marshal and made governor of the federal fortress of Mainz. The use of cannons made him unpopular at the time and earned him the nickname Kartätschenprinz (Prince of Grapeshot). He also became an excellent diplomat by engaging in diplomatic missions after 1815.ĭuring the Revolutions of 1848, William successfully crushed a revolt that was aimed at his elder brother King Frederick William IV. He fought under Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher at the Battles of Waterloo and Ligny. ![]() Wilhelm served in the army from 1814 onward, fought against Napoleon I of France during the Napoleonic Wars, and was reportedly a very brave soldier. As the second son of King Frederick William III and Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, William was not expected to ascend to the throne and hence received little education. The future king and emperor was born Frederick Louis of Prussia ( Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig von Preußen) in Berlin. The Coronation of Wilhelm I as King of Prussia in the Schloss Kirke in Konigsberg. ![]()
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