The Electorate of Hanover was a historical territory in what is now northern Germany. Established in 1692, it was ruled by the House of Hanover, which gained prominence in European politics. The electorate was significant for its connection to the British crown, as it provided a line of succession to the British throne. In 1714, George I of Hanover became the King of Great Britain, linking the two realms. The electorate played a crucial role in the political landscape of Europe until it was dissolved in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars, leading to the formation of the Kingdom of Hanover.