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Bismarck was a master diplomat and kept the peace in Europe until his removal by a new young [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]] in 1890. Wilhelm led Germany to a disastrous defeat in [[World War I]] and he and all the aristocrats lost their titles and power in 1918 - though, in contrast to Austria, the titles weren't dropped altogether, but became part of the family names.  

Bismarck was a master diplomat and kept the peace in Europe until his removal by a new young [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]] in 1890. Wilhelm led Germany to a disastrous defeat in [[World War I]] and he and all the aristocrats lost their titles and power in 1918 - though, in contrast to Austria, the titles weren't dropped altogether, but became part of the family names.  

The Prussian monarchy was abolished in 1918 just before the end of [[World War I]]. Prussia continued as a province of Germany until 1945, when it was dissolved by the Allies after [[World War II]], and the oldest portion east of the [[Oder-Neise Line]] was divided between Poland and Russia. What remained, the five states (Länder) of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia formed the [[Deutsche Democratic Republic]] (DDR), commonly known in English as [[East Germany]].

The Prussian monarchy was abolished in 1918 just before the end of [[World War I]]. Prussia continued as a province of Germany until 1945, when it was dissolved by the Allies after [[World War II]], and the oldest portion east of the [[Oder-Neisse Line]] was divided between Poland and Russia. What remained, the five states (Länder) of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia formed the [[Deutsche Democratic Republic]] (DDR), commonly known in English as [[East Germany]].

==Further reading==

==Further reading==