Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frederick I |
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| Grand Duke of Baden | |||||
| Reign | 23 January 1858 – 28 September 1907 | ||||
| Predecessor | Louis II | ||||
| Successor | Frederick II | ||||
| Born | 9 September 1826 Karlsruhe, Grand Duchy of Baden, German Confederation |
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| Died | 28 September 1907 (aged 81) Mainau, Grand Duchy of Baden, German Empire |
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| Spouse |
Princess Louise of Prussia
(m. 1856) |
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| Issue Detail |
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| House | Zähringen | ||||
| Father | Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden | ||||
| Mother | Princess Sophie of Sweden | ||||
| Religion | Lutheranism | ||||
| Signature | .PNG){kind=small} |
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Frederick I (born September 9, 1826, died September 28, 1907) was a very important ruler in a German state called Baden. He was the Grand Duke of Baden from 1858 until 1907. His full name was Frederick William Louis.
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Life of Grand Duke Frederick I
Frederick was born in Karlsruhe, Baden, on September 9, 1826. He was the third son of Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden and Princess Sophie of Sweden. When his father died in 1852, Frederick became the next in line to rule. This is called the heir presumptive. His older brother, Louis II, became Grand Duke.
Becoming Grand Duke
Louis II had health problems that made it hard for him to rule. So, Frederick became a temporary ruler, or regent, from 1852 to 1855. In 1856, he officially took the title of Grand Duke. His brother Louis II passed away in 1858. Frederick was known for supporting a constitutional monarchy. This means the ruler shares power with a parliament and follows a constitution.
During his time as Grand Duke, Frederick made some big changes. He introduced the option of civil marriages in Baden. This meant people could get married in a government ceremony, not just in a church. In 1904, he also allowed people to directly vote for members of the Lower House of Baden's Parliament. This made the government more democratic.
Family Life
In 1856, Frederick married Princess Louise of Prussia. She was the daughter of Prince Wilhelm of Prussia. Frederick and Louise had three children together. You can find more about them below.
Meeting Theodor Herzl
Frederick I played a special role in the history of Zionism. This was a movement to create a Jewish homeland. In 1896, Frederick met Theodor Herzl, who was a key figure in political Zionism. Frederick helped Herzl get a meeting with his nephew, Wilhelm II, German Emperor. After Frederick convinced him, the Emperor agreed to meet Herzl. This important meeting happened in Palestine on November 2, 1898.
German Empire Proclamation
Frederick I was also present at a very important event in German history. This was the proclamation of the German Empire in Versailles in 1871. He was there because he was the son-in-law of the Prussian King Wilhelm I. He was also one of the rulers of a German state. At the ceremony, he famously shouted, "His Majesty, Emperor Wilhelm!"
Frederick I died at his summer home on the island of Mainau in southern Germany. This was on September 28, 1907. Today, Mainau island is owned by a foundation created by Frederick's great-grandson, Count Lennart Bernadotte.
Frederick I's Children
Frederick and Princess Louise had three children:
- Grand Duke Frederick II of Baden (born July 9, 1857, died August 9, 1928). He married Princess Hilda of Luxembourg but they did not have any children.
- Queen Victoria of Sweden (born August 7, 1862, died April 4, 1930). She married King Gustav V of Sweden and they had children.
- Prince Louis of Baden (born June 12, 1865, died February 23, 1888). He died young and was not married. He did not have any children.
