1871 German Federal Election

First all-German Reichstag

3 March 1871 · Revolution and unification · 382 seats, 192 for a majority

A federal election for the first Reichstag of the German Empire was held on 3 March 1871, 45 days after the founding of the Empire. The voting took place under the provisions of the short-lived Constitution of the German Confederation.

Held in wartime. This election took place while the country was engaged in Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871). Conflicts →

Chancellor before

Otto von Bismarck

Independent

Chancellor (continued)

Otto von Bismarck

Independent

Largest force

NlP

117 of 382 seats

Turnout

51.0%

The result

Sort by

NlP

Rudolf von Bennigsen · 29.0% of votes · +13 seats

117

seats

Centre

Hermann von Mallinckrodt · 18.2% of votes

seats

Conservatives

13.5% of votes · -9 seats

seats

DFP

9.0% of votes · +14 seats

seats

DRP

Viktor I, Duke of Ratibor · 8.8% of votes · 0 seats

seats

LRP

Chlodwig Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst · 7.0% of votes

seats


NlP	Rudolf von Bennigsen	117	+13	1.125.942	29.0%	+5.7
Centre	Hermann von Mallinckrodt	58	—	707.896	18.2%	—
Conservatives	—	56	-9	524.881	13.5%	-1.3
DFP	—	45	+14	351.209	9.0%	+0.3
DRP	Viktor I, Duke of Ratibor	37	0	343.098	8.8%	+2.2
LRP	Chlodwig Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst	33	—	274.068	7.0%	—

36 further seats went to parties and independents outside the main contenders listed above.