Leo von Caprivi

Leo von Caprivi
Caprivi in 1880
Chancellor of Germany
In office 20 March 1890 – 26 October 1894
Monarch	Wilhelm II
Deputy	Karl Heinrich von Boetticher
Preceded by	Otto von Bismarck
Succeeded by	Chlodwig von Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst
Minister President of Prussia
In office 20 March 1890 – 22 March 1892
Monarch	Wilhelm II
Preceded by	Otto von Bismarck
Succeeded by	Botho zu Eulenburg
Chief of the Imperial Admiralty
In office 20 March 1883 – 5 July 1888
Chancellor	Otto von Bismarck
Preceded by	Albrecht von Stosch
Succeeded by	Alexander von Monts
Personal details
Born	Georg Leo von Caprivi 24 February 1831 Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia (Now Germany)
Died	6 February 1899 (1899-02-07) (aged 67) Skyren, Prussia, German Empire (Now Skórzyn, Poland)
Political party	Independent
Awards	Pour le Mérite
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Prussia  German Confederation  North German Confederation  German Empire
Branch/service	Prussian Army
Years of service	1849–1888
Rank	General der Infanterie Vize Admiral
Battles/wars	Second Schleswig War Austro-Prussian War

Georg Leo Graf von Caprivi de Caprara de Montecuccoli (English: Count George Leo of Caprivi, Caprara, and Montecuccoli; born Georg Leo von Caprivi; 24 February 1831 – 6 February 1899)^[1] was a German general and statesman who served as the chancellor of the German Empire from March 1890 to October 1894. Caprivi promoted industrial and commercial development, and concluded numerous bilateral treaties for reduction of tariff barriers. However, this movement toward free trade angered the conservative agrarian interests, especially the Junkers. He promised educational reforms to the Catholic Center party which would increase their influence, but failed to deliver. As part of Kaiser Wilhelm's "new course" in foreign policy, Caprivi abandoned Bismarck's military, economic, and ideological cooperation with the Russian Empire, which historians consider a major mistake. Even worse, Caprivi misjudged multiple opportunities to open good relations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Frustrated, Britain turned to the Empire of Japan and the French Third Republic for agreements. Caprivi's downfall came with trade agreements that favored German industry and urban workers over more powerful agricultural interests. Historians praise his refusal to renew the harsh restrictions on socialists, and his success in the reorganization of the German military.^[2][3]