SECOND REICH Meaning and
Definition
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The term "Second Reich" refers to the historical period of German history from 1871 to 1918, during which the German Empire, officially known as Deutsches Kaiserreich, existed. The establishment of the Second Reich took place following the victorious outcome of the Franco-Prussian War and the subsequent proclamation of the German Empire in January 1871 in the Palace of Versailles.
During this era, the German Empire was governed by an autocratic monarchy with Emperor Wilhelm I as its first emperor, and later his successors, Wilhelm II and Frederick III. The political system was characterized by a federal structure where the German states maintained their individual governance, while a central government ruled over common interests such as defense, foreign affairs, and trade.
The Second Reich witnessed the rapid industrialization of Germany, transforming it into a major economic and military power within Europe. The empire's success in economic development, science, and technology fueled its ambitions to expand its influence overseas, resulting in the acquisition of various colonies in Africa and the Pacific.
However, this period was also marked by rising tensions, as political rivalries, social inequalities, and a clash of ideological movements, such as socialism and conservatism, emerged. The Second Reich ultimately came to an end in 1918 with Germany's defeat in World War I and the subsequent abdication of Emperor Wilhelm II, leading to the establishment of the Weimar Republic.
Common Misspellings for SECOND REICH
- aecond reich
- zecond reich
- xecond reich
- decond reich
- eecond reich
- wecond reich
- swcond reich
- sscond reich
- sdcond reich
- srcond reich
- s4cond reich
- s3cond reich
- sexond reich
- sevond reich
- sefond reich
- sedond reich
- secind reich
- seclnd reich
Etymology of SECOND REICH
The term "Second Reich" refers to the period of German history from 1871 to 1918, when Germany was ruled as a centralized empire under the German Emperor (Kaiser) and Imperial Chancellor. The term "Reich" itself has its origins in the Old High German word rīhhi, which means "realm" or "empire".
The specific use of "Second Reich" to refer to this period of German history stems from the fact that it followed the establishment of the "First Reich", or Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was a medieval multi-ethnic and decentralized political entity that existed from 962 to 1806.
After the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte established the Confederation of the Rhine, leading to a period of fragmented German states.
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