Pfthb

Imperial German Navy Kaiserliche Marine Active 1871–1918 Country   German Empire Branch Navy Engagements Samoan Civil War Samoan crisis Abushiri Revolt Boxer Rebellion Venezuela Crisis Sokehs Rebellion World War I Insignia War Ensign (1903–1918) War Ensign (1892–1903) War Ensign (1871–1892) Naval Jack (1903–1918) The Imperial German Navy (German: Kaiserliche Marine , "Imperial Navy") was the navy created at the time of the formation of the German Empire. It existed between 1871 and 1919, growing out of the small Prussian Navy (from 1867 the North German Federal Navy ), which primarily had the mission of coastal defence. Kaiser Wilhelm II greatly expanded the navy, and enlarged its mission. The key leader was Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, who greatly expanded the size and quality of the navy, while adopting the sea power theories of American strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan. The result was a naval arms race with Britain as the German navy grew to become one of the greatest mariti...