Kaiserbrief

Background

The Kaiserbrief originated from negotiations between Bismarck and Ludwig II's confidant, Count Holnstein, who arrived in Versailles on 25 November 1870. Bismarck had previously reached an agreement with the Bavarian government on 23 November 1870, granting Bavaria concessions including its own post, telecommunication systems, railways, and peacetime army. The letter was drafted by Bismarck on 27 November 1870 after discussions with Holnstein, whose exact content remains unknown.

Ludwig II, a supporter of a Greater German solution including Austria, had opposed Prussia after the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, in which Bavaria fought as an Austrian ally. Bavaria paid 30 million guilders in compensation and subordinated its army to Prussian command. Ludwig refused to lead Bavarian troops in the 1870 war and was absent from victory celebrations at Versailles, rejecting initial requests to propose William I as emperor.

Ludwig's notorious financial problems, stemming from his extensive building and cultural projects, were known to Bismarck. A telegram from Prussian ambassador Count Werthern on 19 November 1870 stated that six million guilders would induce Ludwig to agree to the imperial proclamation. Bismarck formulated the letter after agreeing to Ludwig's demands, refraining from requiring Ludwig's personal presence at Versailles.