Top 10 Greatest German Leaders

Vote for the greatest leaders in German or Prussian history.

1. Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor of the German Empire

   

   Otto von Bismarck was the first Chancellor of the German Empire, serving from 1871 to 1890. He played a key role in the unification of Germany through diplomatic and military strategies. Bismarck is also known for his implementation of the welfare state in Germany.

   WE NEED TO UNITE ALL THE GERMAN-SPEAKING STATES UNDER PRUSSIAN RULE WITH BLOOD AND IRON.

2. Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor of West Germany

   

   Konrad Adenauer (5 January 1876 to 19 April 1967) was the first Chancellor of West Germany, serving from 1949 to 1963. Under his leadership, West Germany experienced economic prosperity and became a member of NATO.

3. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany

   

   Angela Merkel was the Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021, serving as the first woman to hold the office. She was known for her pragmatic leadership during the Eurozone crisis and the refugee crisis. Merkel was a key figure in both German and European politics for over a decade.

4. Frederick II (Frederick the Great), King of Prussia

   

   Frederick II, also known as Frederick the Great, was King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. He modernized the Prussian military and expanded the kingdom's territories. Frederick was a proponent of enlightened absolutism, promoting education, legal reforms, and religious tolerance.

   The person who laid the foundation of a Prussian superpower. Without him, it would have been impossible for Prussia to unite Germany. Bismarck wouldn't have come to power. You wouldn't be able to enjoy a holiday in the Bavarian Alps without going abroad if Frederick hadn't laid the foundation for Germany.

   LONG LIVE FREDERICK

   The person who laid the foundation of Prussia as a power in Europe. Without him, Prussia would have been different, and Germany wouldn't have existed.

5. Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of Germany

   

   Helmut Kohl was Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998 and played a key role in the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. Kohl was a strong advocate for European integration and supported the creation of the European Union. His long tenure made him one of the most influential German leaders of the 20th century.

6. William I, German Emperor

   

   William I was the first German Emperor, proclaimed in 1871 after the unification of Germany. He worked closely with Otto von Bismarck to strengthen and consolidate the empire. William's reign marked the establishment of Germany as a major European power.

   "I have no time to be tired." (Last words)

   "We want our old Kaiser Wilhelm back, but the one with the beard, with the long beard." (Fehrbelliner Reitermarsch)

7. Ludwig Erhard, Chancellor of West Germany

   

   Ludwig Erhard was the second Chancellor of West Germany, serving from 1963 to 1966. He is best known for his role in the Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle) that helped rebuild the German economy after World War II. Erhard was a proponent of free-market policies and social capitalism.

8. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

   

   Charles V was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1519 to 1556 and ruled over an extensive empire including Spain, the Netherlands, and parts of Italy and the Americas. He spent much of his reign dealing with religious conflicts, particularly the Protestant Reformation. Charles V eventually abdicated and divided his empire between his son and brother.

9. Frederick I, King of Prussia

   

   Frederick I was the first King in Prussia, reigning from 1701 to 1713. He elevated Prussia to kingdom status, laying the groundwork for its later emergence as a major European power. His reign focused on consolidating power and strengthening the Prussian state.

10. Karl Dönitz, President of the German Reich

    

    Karl Dönitz was a German admiral who briefly served as the head of state of Nazi Germany after Adolf Hitler's death in 1945. He led the German navy's U-boat operations during World War II and was involved in the surrender negotiations at the war's end. Dönitz was convicted of war crimes during the Nuremberg Trials.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor

    

    Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and is remembered for his extensive reforms aimed at modernizing the empire. He promoted religious tolerance, abolished serfdom, and sought to centralize authority in the Habsburg domains. Joseph's ambitious reforms, however, faced resistance and were largely reversed after his death.

12. ?

    Frederick I (Frederick Barbarossa), Holy Roman Emperor

    

    Frederick I, known as Frederick Barbarossa, was Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190. He sought to restore the glory of the empire through military campaigns in Italy and efforts to consolidate his rule over the German princes. Frederick died during the Third Crusade and became a legendary figure in German history.

The Contenders

13. William II, German Emperor

    

    William II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, reigning from 1888 to 1918. His aggressive foreign policies and militarism contributed to the tensions leading up to World War I. He abdicated in 1918 following Germany's defeat and lived in exile for the rest of his life.

    He was a good person.

14. Helmut Schmidt, Chancellor of West Germany

    

    Helmut Schmidt was Chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982. He focused on managing economic challenges such as inflation and unemployment while strengthening NATO during the Cold War. Schmidt was known for his pragmatic approach to both domestic and foreign policy.

15. Frederick III, German Emperor

    

    Frederick III was the German Emperor and King of Prussia for only 99 days in 1888 before dying of cancer. Despite his short reign, he was a strong advocate for liberal reforms. His death marked the end of hope for a more progressive direction in the German Empire.

16. Otto I (Otto the Great), Holy Roman Emperor

    

    Otto I, known as Otto the Great, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 962, solidifying the title's association with the German monarchy. He strengthened the empire by defeating internal revolts and expanding into Italy. Otto's reign marked the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire's dominance in Central Europe.

17. Friedrich Ebert, President of the German Reich

    

    Friedrich Ebert was the first President of Germany, serving from 1919 until his death in 1925. He played a key role in the establishment of the Weimar Republic following Germany's defeat in World War I. Ebert worked to stabilize the new republic amid political turmoil and social unrest.

18. Willy Brandt, Chancellor of West Germany

    

    Willy Brandt was Chancellor of West Germany from 1969 to 1974 and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971 for his efforts in improving relations with Eastern Europe. His Ostpolitik policy aimed at easing tensions between the East and West during the Cold War. Brandt's tenure was marked by social reforms and efforts toward European reconciliation.

19. Gustav Stresemann, Chancellor of the German Reich

    

    Gustav Stresemann served as Chancellor and Foreign Minister of Germany during the Weimar Republic. He is best known for his efforts in stabilizing the German economy and negotiating the Locarno Treaties, which improved Germany's relations with its neighbors. Stresemann shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1926 for his contributions to European diplomacy.

20. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor

    

    Frederick II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1220 to 1250 and is often regarded as one of the most brilliant monarchs of the Middle Ages. He promoted arts, sciences, and legal reforms while fostering a culture of tolerance in his multi-ethnic empire. Frederick's reign was marked by conflicts with the Papacy and efforts to consolidate imperial authority in Italy.

21. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany

    

    Olaf Scholz became Chancellor of Germany in 2021, succeeding Angela Merkel. He has focused on addressing major issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, and energy transition. Scholz has also been a key player in Germany's response to the war in Ukraine.

22. Kurt Georg Kiesinger, Chancellor of West Germany

    

    Kurt Georg Kiesinger was Chancellor of West Germany from 1966 to 1969. His government was marked by economic challenges and efforts to modernize the country's political system. Kiesinger is also known for his controversial past as a former member of the Nazi Party.

23. Gustav Heinemann, President of West Germany

    

    Gustav Heinemann served as President of West Germany from 1969 to 1974. He was known for his strong commitment to democracy and civil rights. Heinemann played a significant role in promoting reconciliation with Eastern European countries during the Cold War.

24. Frederick William I, King of Prussia

    

    Frederick William I, also known as the Soldier King, ruled Prussia from 1713 to 1740. He is credited with transforming Prussia into a highly militarized and efficient state. His reforms laid the foundation for Prussia's rise as a dominant military power in Europe.

25. Paul von Hindenburg, President of the German Reich

    

    Paul von Hindenburg was a German military officer and statesman who served as President of Germany from 1925 to 1934. He is best known for appointing Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in 1933, a decision that contributed to the Nazi Party's rise to power. Hindenburg was also a prominent general during World War I and became a national hero.