Page:A general history for colleges and high schools (Myers, 1890).djvu/785

Rh the king of Bavaria, King William, who now bore the title of President of the Confederation, was given the title of German Emperor, which honor was to be hereditary in his family. On the 18th of January, 1871, within the Palace of Versailles,—the siege of Paris being still in progress,—amidst indescribable enthusiasm, the Imperial dignity was formally conferred upon King William, and Germany became a constitutional Empire.

Thus amidst the throes of war the free German nation was born. The German people, after long centuries of division and servitude, had at last found Freedom and Unity.