[2] Bismarck’s “Gedanken und Erinnerungen,” v. ii., and “Kaiser Friedrich in Versailles,” (Erinnerungen eines Diplomaten). [↑]
[3] Louise von Kobell, “König Ludwig II. und Fürst Bismarck im Jahre 1870.” [↑]
[4] Professor Dr. Otto J. W. Richter, “Kaiser Friedrich III.” [↑]
[5] The Emperor “Ludwig der Bayrer” enfeoffed in 1323 his son Mark Brandenburg. Brandenburg remained under the sway of the Wittelsbachs until 1373, when Otto V. ceded it to the Emperor Karl IV. Bismarck mentions in his “Gedanken und Erinnerungen” the particular favour shown to his ancestors by the Bavarian dynasty. [↑]
CHAPTER XVIII
The Bavarian Troops Return to Munich—King Ludwig and the Crown Prince of Germany
The war was ended; the peace concluded. A great German Empire had been re-established. Germany had been given an Emperor—and that Emperor was the King of Prussia.
With the last-named fact the essence of the new Empire is characterised: Prussia was the paramount country. The other four and seventy states were not to be without a voice in the decision of the common affairs of the realm, and each one was to retain a certain independence, but Prussia was, and intended to be, the state to lead the course of events—the centre of gravity which was to decide the balance.
Thanks to Ludwig II.’s obstinacy, his kingdom had formally received a special position. The new constitution granted Bavaria in a special paragraph[1] the right to all the attributes which are considered as belonging to national independence: she retained, for instance, her own Minister of War, her own army, her own Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the right to independent diplomatic and consular services. The appearance of sovereignty was retained. But Ludwig’s burning desire to extend the frontiers of his kingdom had not been fulfilled. This circumstance was the cause, on his side, of much displeasure towards the Royal House of Prussia.