Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The German Empire under Hohenzollern rule: The "Hohenzollern Empire" refers specifically to the German Reich (Empire) during the period it was ruled by emperors from the House of Hohenzollern, from its proclamation in 1871 until the abdication of the last emperor in 1919 following World War I.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The unification of Germany in 1871 marked the beginning of the Hohenzollern Empire.
  • Historians study the industrial and military policies of the Hohenzollern Empire.
  • The Hohenzollern Empire came to an end with the German Revolution of 1918–1919.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical and political discourse to distinguish this specific period of German imperial history from earlier or later political entities, such as the Holy Roman Empire or Nazi Germany.
• It can be used metonymically to refer to the associated political system, culture, and foreign policy of that era.
  • The diplomatic maneuvers of the Hohenzollern Empire contributed to the complex alliance system in pre-war Europe.

Variants and Related Words

• German Empire (n): The more common general name for the state from 1871 to 1918. "Hohenzollern Empire" adds dynastic specificity.
• Second Reich (n): A historical term used to denote the German Empire (1871–1918), following the Holy Roman Empire (the First Reich).
• Kaiserreich (n): The German word for "Empire," often used in English historical texts to refer to this period.
• Wilhelmine Germany (n): A term referring to Germany during the reign of Emperor Wilhelm II (1888–1918), which constitutes the latter part of the Hohenzollern Empire.

Synonyms

• German Empire
• Second Reich
• Kaiserreich (from German)

Related Phrases

• The Hohenzollern dynasty: The royal family that ruled Prussia and later the German Empire.
  • The Hohenzollern dynasty originated in the region of Swabia.
• The Imperial Era: A broader phrase that can encompass the Hohenzollern Empire.

Related Concepts

• Unification of Germany: The process culminating in 1871 that created the empire.
• World War I: The global conflict that led to the empire's collapse.
• Weimar Republic: The democratic republic that succeeded the Hohenzollern Empire.

Noun

1. the Reich when Hohenzollern monarchs ruled Germany (from 1871 to 1919)