German National Flag, 1867-1919.
In the 19th century Germany struggled to achieve unification. The Confederation of 1848-1852 failed, leaving Prussia, the most powerful German state, the center of aspirations for unity. Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck founded the North German Confederation in 1867 and selected its flag - a horizontal tricolor of black, white, and red.
Originally conceived by Prince Adalbert of Prussia, the flag was explained as being a combination of the black over white Prussian flag and the red and white colors of the Hanseatic League, a powerful maritime trade confederation of the Middle Ages. The new flag was also associated with Bismarck's "blood and iron" political philosophy.
After defeating France in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871, Prussia brought the other German states together in an empire known as the Second Reich. It had many flags, but the black-white-red tricolor served private citizens on land and sea until Germany's defeat in World War I.
This flag is mounted on a 45.5" staff with a spearhead finial and was quite possibly made for waving at a parade or other patriotic event. It probably dates from World War I (1914-1918).
ZFC Noteworthy Flag
