The German Monarchy refers to the system of governance in Germany where kings and emperors ruled over various German states. This system was prominent until the end of World War I in 1918, when the last emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, abdicated. The monarchy was characterized by a feudal structure, with various princes and dukes governing their territories under the overarching authority of the emperor. The most significant period of the German Monarchy was during the German Empire, established in 1871 after the unification of Germany. This empire brought together numerous independent states under a single imperial crown, leading to a centralized government. The monarchy's decline was influenced by social, political, and economic changes, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Weimar Republic.