What’s the context? Foundation of the German Empire, 18 January 1871
![Artwork showing a large group of military men in a room](https://history.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/01/proclamation-german-empire.jpg)
This war represents the German revolution, a greater political event than the French revolution of last century. . . . Not a single principle in the management of our foreign affairs, accepted by all statesmen for guidance up to six …