History Characters / KaiserreichGermany

The preeminent Great Power of Europe and the World, the ''Deutsches Kaiserreich'', fresh from their victory in the Weltkrieg, has in the years since served as the "responsible" guiding hand of global politics. However, the Empire's unparalleled global hegemony has also blinded it with arrogance: Imperial politics and economics have turned sickly under their healthy surface, and competing power blocs--be it socialist, nationalist, or revanchist--have gathered forces beyond the Empire's borders. The old Empire is in a new age, and it might not even be aware of it until the day the house of cards falls.

** Germany can intervene in the Spanish Civil War by sending a "legion" of German troops to their prefered faction, which they did OTL.

** Friedrich-Werner von der Schulenburg is Germany's current foreign minister; Ulrich von Hassel, a Zentrum politician, can become foreign minister; and Carl Friedrich Goerdeler, DKP politician, can become chancellor. In real life, Goerdeler was meant to become chancellor of Germany if the 20 July plot against Hitler had succeeded, while the other two were potential foreign ministers. %%Pre-rework

Reichskanzler of the Schwarz-Weiß-Rot coalition.

* WeAreStrugglingTogether: Von Kleist-Schmenzin's path involves maintaining the balance between the two parties forming the SWR coalition, the [=DkP=] and the DVLP, and the unity of the coalition lest it collapses.

[[folder:Kuno Graf von Westarp]]
->'''Role:''' Reichskanzler[[note]]Second in Command[[/note]] (Kleist-Schmenzin succession, [=DkP=] dominant or Post-Welkrieg election)
->'''Party:''' DNVB - Moderate[[note]]German National People's Union[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Authoritarian Democracy
The chairman of the [=DkP=].
----
* ALighterShadeOfBlack: Westarp represents the moderate path to succeed Kleist-Schmenzin, being only moderatly anti-democratic compared to the DVLP.
[[/folder]]

->'''Party:''' DNVB - Rechte[[note]]German National People's Union - Right[[/note]]

* TheRival: To Heinrich Brüning. The latter criticizes him for being close to the [=DkP=] and heads the moderate wing of the Zentrum, thus becoming his main opponent within the party itself.

!! ''The Politicians''
%%[[folder:Hjalmar Schacht]]
%%->'''Party:''' Nationalliberale Partei[[note]]National Liberal Party: Created in 1866, the NLP began as the most prominent German party, becoming a main backer of the Bismarck chancellorship, however after Bismarck's turn the right, the party's influence has been continuously waning. The NLP was mainly powerless in the Reichstag during the Weltkrieg, though cooperating with the left-wing parties at times. When the DVLP was created, some thought the NLP would get usurped by them, but Stresemann was able to keep the NLP independent, with him leading the NLP to be neutral on the Ludendorff dictatorship.\\
After Ludendorff's fall and the rise of Tirpitz, the NLP joined Tirpitz's great coalition, with it supporting German colonialism, expansion of the military, and liberal economic policies in the government. Stresemann was able to make the NLP flourish, thus his death in 1929 strongly weakened the NLP. Dingeldey led the NLP in its worst election result ever, causing his resignation, and him unable to give the NLP a position in the government. Dingeldey was replaced by Reichsbankpräsident Hjalmar Schacht as leader, with Julius Curtius being the chancellor candidate of the NLP. The NLP has strong support among industry giants and the more well-off, though some of them have been moving away from the NLP, looking for a new champion of their interests.[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology''' Market Liberalism
%%A German economist, Hjalmar Schacht is the current head of the Reichsbank and the leader of the NLP, one of the main liberal parties in Germany.
%%----
%%* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Hjalmar Schacht was the Minister of Economy of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1937. He played a key role in the rearmament of Germany even though he went into opposition to Hitler from 1937. In the world of Kaiserreich, Schacht is a liberal economist and politician who has nothing to do with the Nazi party equivalent, the DVLP.
%%* MegaCorp: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- As leader of the NLP, Schacht is the champion of the big German companies. However, in 1936, some of them are tempted to find another representative.
%%[[/folder]]

%%[[folder:Heinrich Brüning]]
%%[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_bruning.png]]
%%->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag's Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932.\\
With both the leftists and centrists within the party discredited, the right-wing under the leadership of Franz von Papen took over, pursuing an unitarian vision, which caused many defections from the party, with him also causing the left-wing of the party to jump ship and form the CSRP. The party is strongly aligned to the DKP, however there Heinrich Brüning is leading the opposition towards von Papen's leadership, wanting a return to the original federalist elements of the Zentrum, with him also wishing to reunite the Zentrum with its splinter parties.[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
%%A German politician, Heinrich Brüning leads the moderate wing of the conservative party Zentrum. Deeply opposed to Franz von Papen, the party president, he tries to reunite the Zentrum with those who have left the party in previous years.
%%----
%%* HistoricalDowngrade: In OTL, Heinrich Brüning was the Chancellor of Germany from 1930 to 1932 and played a key role in German history in trying to cope with the Great Depression. In Kaiserreich he is only the leader of the moderate wing of the Zentrum and is therefore a minor political figure.
%%* InternalReformist: If Brüning is opposed to the Zentrum's alignment with the DKP, he tries to change this within the party itself, instead of leaving it like many other politicians.
%%* TheRival: To Franz von Papen. Heinrich Brüning is opposed to von Papen's policy of rapprochement with the DKP and is his main opponent in the Zentrum.
%%[[/folder]]

%%[[folder:Heinrich Claß]]
%%[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_class_kr.png]]
%%->'''Party:''' Deutsche Vaterlandspartei[[note]]The DVLP (German Fatherland Paty), was formed in late 1917 to represent the jingoist, anti-democratic and radical nationalist political class, with it being strongly aligned to the Alldeutscher Verband. The DVLP was the most prominent supporter of the Ludendorff dictatorship, though there was some differences in opinion over economic issues. When the Ludendorff dictatorship was removed, Alfred von Tirpitz was picked by Wilhelm as his successor, with him creating a Great Coalition of right-<wing parties to solve the issues brought on by the Ludendorff dictatorship. This moderation of the party caused a lot of upset from the right-wing of the party, manifesting itself when they took over the party in the wake of the death of von Tirpitz. However, this takeover caused many supporters of the DVLP to abandon the party in favour of the DKP and DRP. The DVLP advocates for pan-Germanism, anti-parliamentarianism, anti-socialism and anti-semitism.[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' National Populism
%%Heinrich Claß is a German politician who is one of the leaders of the DVLP, a nationalistic, anti-democratic and anti-Semitic far-right party. Since the death of Chancellor von Tirpitz in 1930, the DVLP has been a mere reflection of what it once was. The antisemitic rhetoric of its leadership, including Claß, caused many moderate party members to defect to the DKP and DRP.
%%----
%%* AllohistoricalAllusion: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- The DVLP has many similarities with the Nazi party, be it in antisemitic rhetoric, anti-parliamentarianism or pan-Germanism. However, if Heinrich Claß is the equivalent of Adolf Hitler in Kaiserreich, he is far from the status of the latter in OTL at the same time.
%%* DemocracyIsBad: Claß is far from being a great admirer of democracy as he is openly opposed to socialism and parliamentarianism.
%%* EvilOldFolks: At the beginning of the game, Heinrich Claß is 67 years old.
%%* ANaziByAnyOtherName: Claß is an extreme right-wing nationalist and anti-Semite who advocates the unification of all Germanic peoples.
%%* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Heinrich Claß and the DVLP are best known for their virulent antisemitism.
%%[[/folder]]

%%[[folder:Ewald von Kleist-Schmenzin]]
%%[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_ger_ewald_von_kleist_schmenzin.png]]
%%->'''Role:''' Oberpräsident of Pomerania, Minister-President of Prussia[[note]]Political Advisor[[/note]] (Prussian snap election), Reichskanzler[[note]]Second in Command[[/note]] (von Schleicher removed)
%%->'''Party:''' Kabinett Kleist-Schmenzin[[note]]Kleist-Schmenzin Cabinet[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' Paternal Autocracy

%%----
%%[[/folder]]

%%[[folder:Kuno Graf von Westarp]]
%%->'''Role:''' Reichskanzler[[note]]Second in Command[[/note]] (Kleist-Schmenzin succession, [=DkP=] dominant or Post-Welkrieg election)
%%->'''Party:''' DNVB - Moderate[[note]]German National People's Union[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' Authoritarian Democracy
%%----
%%[[/folder]]

%%[[folder:Ulrich von Hassell]]
%%->'''Role:''' Reichskanzler[[note]]Second in Command[[/note]] (Kleist-Schmenzin succession, DVLP dominant or Post-Welkrieg election)
%%->'''Party:''' DNVB - Rechte[[note]]German National People's Union - Right[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' Paternal Autocracy
%%----
%%[[/folder]]

[[folder:Max Bauer '''(UNMARKED SPOILERS)''']]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_ger_max_bauer.png]]
->'''Role:''' Supreme Commander[[note]]Country Leader[[/note]] (Bauer putsch), Second in Command (Bauer restores the monarchy)
->'''Party:''' Regierung der nationalen Rettung[[note]]Government of National Salvation[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Paternal Autocracy, National Populism (A New Germany)

* AllohistoricalAllusion: Bauer can opt to not restore the Kaiser and instead maintain himself as the sole leader of his totalitarian Germany (switching him to National Populism), just like UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler refused any restoration of the Hohenzollern dynasty.
* ANaziByAnyOtherName: The closest parallel that Kaiserreich has to Adolf Hitler at present, Bauer establishes a totalitarian ultranationalist dictatorship and seeks to greatly expand Germany's territory. His focus tree also contains several references to OTL Nazi Germany.
** The name of its party, the Government of National Salvation, is shared with the OTL Nazi puppet state in Serbia.
* EvilChancellor: Bauer becomes the power behind the throne if he chooses to restore the monarchy, selecting Wilhelm IV as the new Emperor precisely because he wants a pliable puppet.
* PersecutedIntellectuals: One focus of Bauer's tree is to disband the universities and impress the students in the army.
* ThePurge: Bauer will institute a "Black Terror" after taking power.
* ShoutOut: One focus of his tree is named Film/TriumphOfTheWill.

!!! Puppet Leaders
[[folder:Erwin von Witzleben]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_ger_erwin_von_witzleben.png]]
->'''Role:''' General, Country Leader (Dictatorship puppet state)
->'''Party:''' Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland[[note]]National Committee for a Free Germany[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Paternal Autocracy
Erwin von Witzleben is a German general and a potential Chief of Staff of the German military and Chief of the Heer, the German army. He can also become the leader of a puppeted Germany if it capitulates to a dictatorship.

* AllohistoricalAllusion: In Kaiserreich, Erwin von Witzleben is a potential chief of staff of the German armed forces, a position he should have had historically if the 20 July 1944 coup against Adolf Hitler had been successful.
* HistoricalDowngrade: Historically, Erwin von Witzleben was a major figure in the German resistance to Hitler. A former field marshal in the German Army, he took part in the coup of the 20 July 1944 against Adolf Hitler and was to become the supreme commander of the Wehrmacht if successful. After this failure, von Witzleben was arrested by the Nazis and executed on 8 August 1944. In the game, Erwin von Witzleben is a simple general in a Germany where Hitler was just a soldier who died in 1920.

[[folder:Friedrich Paulus]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_friedrich_paulus_kr.png]]
->'''Role:''' Country Leader (Non-socialist puppet state)
->'''Party:''' Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland[[note]]National Committee for a Free Germany[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Authoritarian Democracy
Friedrich Paulus can become the leader of a rival German government and/or of a puppeted Germany.
-----
* AllohistoricalAllusion: The real Paulus, after surrendering at Stalingrad, joined the Soviet-sponsored, anti-Nazi National Committee for a Free Germany before becoming an East German citizen. In Kaiserreich this is upgraded to possibly becoming the leader of a (non-socialist) puppeted Germany.

[[folder:Franz von Papen]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_franz_von_papen.png]]
->'''Role:''' Country Leader (Non-socialist puppet state, Election)
->'''Party:''' Deutsche Zentrumspartei[[note]]German Centre Party[[/note]], Deutscher Block[[note]]German Bloc[[/note]] (Non-socialist puppet state, Election)
->'''Ideology:''' Authoritarian Democracy (Non-socialist puppet state, Election)

* HistoricalDowngrade: In OTL, Franz von Papen was Chancellor of Germany in 1932 for just over 5 months. In Kaiserreich, he was never chancellor and is only the leader of the Prussian Zentrum. He can possibly become Chancellor of a democratic puppet Germany after winning the election.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Franz von Papen played a key role in Hitler's rise to power and was his vice-chancellor from 1933 to 1934. In Kaiserreich, von Papen is a conservative politician close to the reactionary elements of the [=DkP=].
* TheRival: To Heinrich Brüning. The latter criticizes him for being close to the [=DkP=] and heads the moderate wing of the Zentrum, thus becoming his main opponent within the party itself.

[[folder:Marie-Pierre Koenig]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_fra_marie_pierre_koenig_kr.png]]
->'''Role:''' Country Leader (Commune of France puppet state)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Vereinigte[[note]]Communist Workers' Party of Germany - United[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism
Marie-Pierre Koenig is a general of the Commune of France, who is in charge of the German Socialist occupation government and waits until a proper government can be created before returning back to France.

* AllohistoricalAllusion: In OTL Koenig was military governor of the French occupation zone in Germany after the end of [=WW2=] and can occupy a similar position in Kaiserreich.

%%[[folder:Bernard Paget]]
%%->'''Role:''' Country Leader (Union of Britain puppet state)
%%->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Vereinigte[[note]]Communist Workers' Party of Germany - United[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism
%%----
%%[[/folder]]

[[folder:Georgy Zhukov]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_rus_georgiy_zhukov.png]]
->'''Role:''' Country Leader (Socialist Russia puppet state)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Vereinigte[[note]]Communist Workers' Party of Germany - United[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism
----
* AllohistoricalAllusion: In OTL Zhukov was military governor of the Soviet occupation zone in Germany right after the end of [=WW2=] and can occupy the same position in Kaiserreich.

[[folder:Willi Münzenberg]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_willi_munzenberg_3.png]]
->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Country Leader[[/note]] (Münzenberg becomes leader of Socialists)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Vereinigte[[note]]Communist Workers' Party of Germany - United[[/note]], Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands[[note]]Communist Party of Germany[[/note]] (Radical Socialist puppet state), Bund der Kommunisten[[note]]The League of Communists is a minor radical tendency within the German far left, born out of the Hamburg tendency of the KAPD and originally led by Heinrich Laufenberg and Fritz Wolffheim -- two trade union leaders and party leaders in Hamburg. They advocate for what they call "national communism" and "national syndicalism", and have sympathies towards German nationalism.[[/note]] (Totalist puppet state)
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism, Syndicalism, Totalism
A German Socialist political activist who leads the Free German Socialist Republic after the election with KAPD is underway.

* AuthorityInNameOnly: Münzenberg is placed in power as a figurehead with the actual government aligning with the ideology of Germany's overlord.
* CommieNazis: The Bund der Kommunisten, created by Heinrich Laufenberg and Fritz Wolffheim (who were OTL National Bolsheviks), advocates for "national communism" and "national syndicalism", a synthesis of Communism and German nationalism, and may attempt to recruit from German ultranationalist parties after being put in power.
* ThePurge: The Totalists will purge the rival Syndicalists.

[[folder:Friedrich Wilhelm V]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_rus_boris_romanov.jpg]]
->'''Role:''' Emperor[[note]]Country Leader[[/note]] (Tsarist Russia puppet)
->'''Party:''' Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland[[note]]National Committee for a Free Germany[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Authoritarian Democracy
-----
* NaturalizedName: Boris Vladimirovich Romanov adopts the much more German regnal name Friedrich Wilhelm V upon becoming Emperor.
* TheUsurper: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duke_Boris_Vladimirovich_of_Russia Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich]] is a member of the Romanov family that replaces the Hohenzollern dynasty should a monarchist Russia puppet Germany.

!! ''The Politicians''
%%[[folder:Hjalmar Schacht]]
%%->'''Party:''' Nationalliberale Partei[[note]]National Liberal Party: Created in 1866, the NLP began as the most prominent German party, becoming a main backer of the Bismarck chancellorship, however after Bismarck's turn the right, the party's influence has been continuously waning. The NLP was mainly powerless in the Reichstag during the Weltkrieg, though cooperating with the left-wing parties at times. When the DVLP was created, some thought the NLP would get usurped by them, but Stresemann was able to keep the NLP independent, with him leading the NLP to be neutral on the Ludendorff dictatorship.\\
After Ludendorff's fall and the rise of Tirpitz, the NLP joined Tirpitz's great coalition, with it supporting German colonialism, expansion of the military, and liberal economic policies in the government. Stresemann was able to make the NLP flourish, thus his death in 1929 strongly weakened the NLP. Dingeldey led the NLP in its worst election result ever, causing his resignation, and him unable to give the NLP a position in the government. Dingeldey was replaced by Reichsbankpräsident Hjalmar Schacht as leader, with Julius Curtius being the chancellor candidate of the NLP. The NLP has strong support among industry giants and the more well-off, though some of them have been moving away from the NLP, looking for a new champion of their interests.[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology''' Market Liberalism
%%A German economist, Hjalmar Schacht is the current head of the Reichsbank and the leader of the NLP, one of the main liberal parties in Germany.

%%* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Hjalmar Schacht was the Minister of Economy of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1937. He played a key role in the rearmament of Germany even though he went into opposition to Hitler from 1937. In the world of Kaiserreich, Schacht is a liberal economist and politician who has nothing to do with the Nazi party equivalent, the DVLP.
%%* MegaCorp: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- As leader of the NLP, Schacht is the champion of the big German companies. However, in 1936, some of them are tempted to find another representative.

%%[[folder:Heinrich Brüning]]
%%[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_bruning.png]]
%%->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag's Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932.\\
With both the leftists and centrists within the party discredited, the right-wing under the leadership of Franz von Papen took over, pursuing an unitarian vision, which caused many defections from the party, with him also causing the left-wing of the party to jump ship and form the CSRP. The party is strongly aligned to the DKP, however there Heinrich Brüning is leading the opposition towards von Papen's leadership, wanting a return to the original federalist elements of the Zentrum, with him also wishing to reunite the Zentrum with its splinter parties.[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
%%A German politician, Heinrich Brüning leads the moderate wing of the conservative party Zentrum. Deeply opposed to Franz von Papen, the party president, he tries to reunite the Zentrum with those who have left the party in previous years.
%%----
%%* HistoricalDowngrade: In OTL, Heinrich Brüning was the Chancellor of Germany from 1930 to 1932 and played a key role in German history in trying to cope with the Great Depression. In Kaiserreich he is only the leader of the moderate wing of the Zentrum and is therefore a minor political figure.
%%* InternalReformist: If Brüning is opposed to the Zentrum's alignment with the DKP, he tries to change this within the party itself, instead of leaving it like many other politicians.
%%* TheRival: To Franz von Papen. Heinrich Brüning is opposed to von Papen's policy of rapprochement with the DKP and is his main opponent in the Zentrum.
%%[[/folder]]

%%[[folder:Heinrich Claß]]
%%[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_class_kr.png]]
%%->'''Party:''' Deutsche Vaterlandspartei[[note]]The DVLP (German Fatherland Paty), was formed in late 1917 to represent the jingoist, anti-democratic and radical nationalist political class, with it being strongly aligned to the Alldeutscher Verband. The DVLP was the most prominent supporter of the Ludendorff dictatorship, though there was some differences in opinion over economic issues. When the Ludendorff dictatorship was removed, Alfred von Tirpitz was picked by Wilhelm as his successor, with him creating a Great Coalition of right-<wing parties to solve the issues brought on by the Ludendorff dictatorship. This moderation of the party caused a lot of upset from the right-wing of the party, manifesting itself when they took over the party in the wake of the death of von Tirpitz. However, this takeover caused many supporters of the DVLP to abandon the party in favour of the DKP and DRP. The DVLP advocates for pan-Germanism, anti-parliamentarianism, anti-socialism and anti-semitism.[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' National Populism
%%Heinrich Claß is a German politician who is one of the leaders of the DVLP, a nationalistic, anti-democratic and anti-Semitic far-right party. Since the death of Chancellor von Tirpitz in 1930, the DVLP has been a mere reflection of what it once was. The antisemitic rhetoric of its leadership, including Claß, caused many moderate party members to defect to the DKP and DRP.
%%----
%%* AllohistoricalAllusion: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- The DVLP has many similarities with the Nazi party, be it in antisemitic rhetoric, anti-parliamentarianism or pan-Germanism. However, if Heinrich Claß is the equivalent of Adolf Hitler in Kaiserreich, he is far from the status of the latter in OTL at the same time.
%%* DemocracyIsBad: Claß is far from being a great admirer of democracy as he is openly opposed to socialism and parliamentarianism.
%%* EvilOldFolks: At the beginning of the game, Heinrich Claß is 67 years old.
%%* ANaziByAnyOtherName: Claß is an extreme right-wing nationalist and anti-Semite who advocates the unification of all Germanic peoples.
%%* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Heinrich Claß and the DVLP are best known for their virulent antisemitism.
%%[[/folder]]

!!''The Military''
[[folder:August von Mackensen]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_august_mackensen_kr.png]]

August von Mackensen is a living legend in Germany. A veteran of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, he continued his military career until he became one of the main leaders of the German army during the Weltkrieg. After the war, von Mackensen became the head of the German army despite his old age. But at the age of 87 in 1936, the Generalfeldmarschall's physical and mental capacities are no longer what they were and many feel that von Mackensen should retire soon.

* ImprobableAge: Despite being 87 years old, Mackensen is one of the leading German field marshals and head of the Deutsches Heer.
* OldSoldier: August von Mackensen fought in the Franco-Prussian War before becoming one of the leading German generals of the Weltkrieg.
* RedBaron: The Generalfeldmarschall is known as "The Last Hussar".
* WarHero: In addition to his service in the Franco-Prussian War, Mackensen served with distinction during the Weltkrieg and distinguished himself in campaigns in Galicia, Serbia and Romania.

[[folder:Rupprecht von Bayern]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_rupprecht_bayern_kr.png]]

King of Bavaria, Rupprecht von Bayern is also a Generalfeldmarschall of the Deutsches Heer. Heir to King Ludwig III of Bavaria, he was put in charge of various armies as a nobleman when the Weltkrieg broke out. However, Rupprecht von Bayern quickly proved that he was one of the best generals in the German army. He was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in 1916 and became King of Bavaria in 1921. Since then, Rupprecht von Bayern has been a monarch committed to Bavarian institutions and is ready to defend the interests of his kingdom within Germany.

* TheGoodKing: Rupprecht von Bayern is genuinely concerned with the interests of Bavaria and respects the constitutional status of his kingdom.
* OldSoldier: The heir to the Bavarian throne served with distinction during the Weltkrieg and became one of the most decorated officers in the German army. Now the 60-year-old continues to exercise his commands in the Deutsches Heer.

[[folder:Gerd von Rundstedt]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_gerd_von_rundstedt_kr_8.png]]

Gerd von Rundstedt is a German general of the Deutsches Heer who is appreciated by his colleagues for his skills and experience. Moreover, he is considered to be the most apolitical officer in the German General Staff.
----
* GenerationXerox: Von Rundstedt followed the family tradition and made a career in the German armed forces like all the men of his family.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: The real Gerd von Rundstedt had no connection with the NSDAP, but nonetheless turned a blind eye on the massacres committed by his troops on the Eastern Front. After the war, he was prosecuted for his role in the extermination of Jews in the East and the summary execution of British prisoners of war in the West. In the world of Kaiserreich, von Rundstedt is an apolitical officer who serves a regime at peace that is not involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity.
* MyCountryRightOrWrong: Being apolitical, Gerd von Rundstedt serves his country first and foremost and considers that a Prussian officer never mutinies, no matter who rules Germany.
* OldSoldier: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- Von Rundstedt served during the Weltkrieg. However, he worked in staff positions and did not fight at the front.

[[folder:Albert Kesselring]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_albert_kesselring_kr.png]]
A general of the German army, Albert Kesselring is a potential leader of the German Air Force.

* AllohistoricalAllusion: Albert Kesselring's career is similar to the one he had at OTL. A general in the German army, he joined in 1933 a Luftwaffe that was being created.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: Like so many other German generals, Albert Kesselring was involved in the war crimes of Nazi Germany. He was accused of ordering the execution of Italian civilians at the end of the war. In Kaiserreich, Kesselring serves an imperial regime at peace and quite different from Nazi Germany.

[[folder:Erich Hoepner]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_erich_hoepner_kr_3.png]]
The German general Erich Hoepner is a potential Chief of Staff of the German military and Chief of the Heer, the German army.

* HistoricalDowngrade: Erich Hoepner is a controversial historical figure. General of the Nazi army, he participated in the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 and collaborated with the Einsatzgruppen. However, Hoepner later joined the German resistance to Hitler and was executed by the Nazis for his role in the July 20, 1944 coup. In any case, in Kaiserreich, Erich Hoepner is a mere general, far from the role he had in our history.

[[folder:Erich von Manstein]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_erich_von_manstein_kr_0.png]]

A German general, Erich von Manstein is a veteran of the First World War and a newcomer in the German General Staff. In the years following the war, he travelled around Europe studying the military tactics of other countries. Since then, von Manstein has been a proponent of reforming the Deutsches Heer to place greater emphasis on mobile warfare. He is a potential Chief of Staff of the German military.
-----
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Erich von Manstein was one of Hitler's best generals. Moreover, he participated in Nazi Germany's war crimes. For example, his French biographer, historian Benoît Lemay, proved in 2006 that von Manstein ordered several units of his 11th army to help the Einsatzgruppen to exterminate the Jews in Crimea in 1941-1942. In the world of Kaiserreich, Erich von Manstein is an ordinary German general who committed no crime.
* InternalReformist: Von Manstein stands out from his peers by his desire to modernise the German art of war.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Heinz Guderian]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinz_guderian_kr_6.png]]
A German general, Heinz Guderian is a potential Chief of Staff of the German military.

* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: Like so many other generals of the German army in our reality, Heinz Guderian was involved in the crimes of the Nazi regime. During the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, his troops carried out numerous massacres without any protest from Guderian. In Kaiserreich, where Germany was not controlled by the Nazis, the general is not involved in any war crimes or crimes against humanity.

[[folder:Erich Raeder]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_erich_raeder_kr_3.png]]
An admiral of the German navy, Erich Raeder is a potential supreme commander of the German Navy

* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: While in our reality Erich Raeder played an important role in the rearmament of Germany and in Adolf Hitler's military plans, in Kaiserreich he is a mere admiral who is far from any plans to commit war crimes or crimes against humanity.
* InSpiteOfANail: Erich Raeder can become supreme commander of the German Navy like in real life from 1928 to 1943.

[[folder:Karl Dönitz]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_karl_donitz_kr.png]]
->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag's Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932. \\
With both the leftists and centrists within the party discredited, the right-wing under the leadership of Franz von Papen took over, pursuing an unitarian vision, which caused many defections from the party, with him also causing the left-wing of the party to jump ship and form the CSRP. The party is strongly aligned to the DKP, however there Heinrich Brüning is leading the opposition towards von Papen's leadership, wanting a return to the original federalist elements of the Zentrum, with him also wishing to reunite the Zentrum with its splinter parties.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
Karl Dönitz is a German admiral as well as a member of the Zentrum, a Catholic political party. He is one of Germany's potential economy ministers if the Zentrum comes to power and a potential leader of the German Navy.

* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The Protestant Dönitz can become a high-ranking member of Zentrum, an almost exclusively Catholic party both in real life and in the mod.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In the game, Karl Dönitz is just an admiral and member of a conservative party, whereas his real life counterpart was a major actor of the Nazi war effort during World War II, leading the Kriegsmarine from 1943 on. Moreover, he was a fervent anti-Semite and supporter of Hitler, and even succeeded Hitler as President of the Reich for a few days in May 1945.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Flag of the German Republic]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1920px_flag_of_germanysvg.png]][[/labelnote]]
->'''Official Name:''' German Empire, German Republic ([[spoiler:Secret republican path]]), Free Socialist Republic of Germany (Socialist puppet state)

->'''Role:''' Emperor[[note]]Country Leader[[/note]] (Overlord keeps monarchy in Puppet Germany or [[spoiler:Secret republican path, Empire restored]] or [[spoiler:Bauer Putsch, Empire restored]]), [[spoiler:Reichpräsident[[note]]Country Leader[[/note]] (Secret republican path)]]
->'''Party:''' Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland[[note]]National Committee for a Free Germany[[/note]], [[spoiler:DVP (Secret republican path)]], [[spoiler:Regierung der nationalen Rettung[[note]]Government of National Salvation[[/note]] (Bauer Putsch, Empire restored)]]

->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiterpartei Deutschlands[[note]]Communist Workers' Party of Germany[[/note]]

->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands[[note]]Communist Party of Germany[[/note]], Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Vereinigte[[note]]Communist Workers' Party of Germany - United[[/note]], Bund der Kommunisten[[note]]The League of Communists is a minor radical tendency within the German far left, born out of the Hamburg tendency of the KAPD and originally led by Heinrich Laufenberg and Fritz Wolffheim -- two trade union leaders and party leaders in Hamburg. They advocate for what they call "national communism" and "national syndicalism", and have sympathies towards German nationalism.[[/note]]

* AuthorityInNameOnly: Münzenberg is placed in power only temporarily until a leader aligning with Germany's overlord ideology can be chosen.

%%[[folder:Franz von Papen]]
%%[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_franz_von_papen.png]]

%%Franz von Papen, a German politician and diplomat, is a prominent member of the Zentrumspartei. President of this conservative party since 1932, he has engaged in a rapprochement with the DKP, to the great displeasure of the moderate members of the Zentrum.

%%* HistoricalDowngrade: In OTL, Franz von Papen was Chancellor of Germany in 1932 for just over 5 months. In Kaiserreich, he was never chancellor and is only the leader of the Zentrum.
%%* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Franz von Papen played a key role in Hitler's rise to power and was his vice-chancellor from 1933 to 1934. In Kaiserreich, von Papen is a conservative politician close to the reactionary elements of the DKP.
%%* TheRival: To Heinrich Brüning. The latter criticizes him for being close to the DKP and heads the moderate wing of the Zentrum, thus becoming his main opponent within the party itself.

%%[[folder:Heinrich Brüning]]
%%[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_bruning.png]]
%%->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag's Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932.\\
With both the leftists and centrists within the party discredited, the right-wing under the leadership of Franz von Papen took over, pursuing an unitarian vision, which caused many defections from the party, with him also causing the left-wing of the party to jump ship and form the CSRP. The party is strongly aligned to the DKP, however there Heinrich Brüning is leading the opposition towards von Papen's leadership, wanting a return to the original federalist elements of the Zentrum, with him also wishing to reunite the Zentrum with its splinter parties.[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
%%A German politician, Heinrich Brüning leads the moderate wing of the conservative party Zentrum. Deeply opposed to Franz von Papen, the party president, he tries to reunite the Zentrum with those who have left the party in previous years.

%%* HistoricalDowngrade: In OTL, Heinrich Brüning was the Chancellor of Germany from 1930 to 1932 and played a key role in German history in trying to cope with the Great Depression. In Kaiserreich he is only the leader of the moderate wing of the Zentrum and is therefore a minor political figure.
%%* InternalReformist: If Brüning is opposed to the Zentrum's alignment with the DKP, he tries to change this within the party itself, instead of leaving it like many other politicians.
%%* TheRival: To Franz von Papen. Heinrich Brüning is opposed to von Papen's policy of rapprochement with the DKP and is his main opponent in the Zentrum.

%%[[folder:Heinrich Claß]]
%%[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_class_kr.png]]
%%->'''Party:''' Deutsche Vaterlandspartei[[note]]The DVLP (German Fatherland Paty), was formed in late 1917 to represent the jingoist, anti-democratic and radical nationalist political class, with it being strongly aligned to the Alldeutscher Verband. The DVLP was the most prominent supporter of the Ludendorff dictatorship, though there was some differences in opinion over economic issues. When the Ludendorff dictatorship was removed, Alfred von Tirpitz was picked by Wilhelm as his successor, with him creating a Great Coalition of right-<wing parties to solve the issues brought on by the Ludendorff dictatorship. This moderation of the party caused a lot of upset from the right-wing of the party, manifesting itself when they took over the party in the wake of the death of von Tirpitz. However, this takeover caused many supporters of the DVLP to abandon the party in favour of the DKP and DRP. The DVLP advocates for pan-Germanism, anti-parliamentarianism, anti-socialism and anti-semitism.[[/note]]
%%->'''Ideology:''' National Populism
%%Heinrich Claß is a German politician who is one of the leaders of the DVLP, a nationalistic, anti-democratic and anti-Semitic far-right party. Since the death of Chancellor von Tirpitz in 1930, the DVLP has been a mere reflection of what it once was. The antisemitic rhetoric of its leadership, including Claß, caused many moderate party members to defect to the DKP and DRP.
%%----
%%* AllohistoricalAllusion: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- The DVLP has many similarities with the Nazi party, be it in antisemitic rhetoric, anti-parliamentarianism or pan-Germanism. However, if Heinrich Claß is the equivalent of Adolf Hitler in Kaiserreich, he is far from the status of the latter in OTL at the same time.
%%* DemocracyIsBad: Claß is far from being a great admirer of democracy as he is openly opposed to socialism and parliamentarianism.
%%* EvilOldFolks: At the beginning of the game, Heinrich Claß is 67 years old.
%%* ANaziByAnyOtherName: Claß is an extreme right-wing nationalist and anti-Semite who advocates the unification of all Germanic peoples.
%%* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Heinrich Claß and the DVLP are best known for their virulent antisemitism.
%%[[/folder]]

->'''Party:''' Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland[[note]]National Committee for a Free Germany[[/note]], [[spoiler:DVP (Secret republican path)]], [[spoiler:RdnR (Bauer putsch)]]
->'''Ideology:''' Authoritarian Democracy, [[spoiler:Market Liberalism (Secret republican path)]], [[spoiler:Paternal Autocracy (Bauer putsch)]]

* PuppetKing: Wilhelm IV gets put into on the German throne should any non-socialist nation decide to keep the Hohenzollerns in power, and is forced to go along with whatever the overlord does.

->'''Ideology:''' Authoritarian Democracy, Paternal Autocracy
%%Kurt von Schleicher is a mysterious figure in German politics. A general in the German army, he is also involved in the political life of his native country. A staunch anti-socialist, von Schleicher also claims to want to fight against the Junkers, but many question his true intentions and believe him to be plotting to restore the Ludendorff dictatorship under him. The general maintains unclear links with many figures in the German aristocracy, such as the Crown Prince. In any case, Kurt von Schleicher's name is circulating as a potential new Reich Chancellor.

* ShortLivedLeadership: If Schleicher fails to secure his position as Reichskanzler, he can quickly get removed from office by the Reichstag, with events noting history will barely remember him or his ([[MinorMajorCharacter potentially pretty consequential]]) brief time in office.

%%->'''Role:''' Oberpräsident of Pomerania, Reichskanzler[[note]]Second in Command[[/note]] (von Schleicher removed)

%%Reichskanzler of the Schwarz-Weiß-Rot coalition.

%%->'''Party:''' DNVB - Moderate

%%->'''Party:''' DNVB - Rechte

->'''Role:''' Country Leader (Bauer putsch)
->'''Party:''' [=RdnR=]
->'''Ideology:''' Paternal Autocracy, National Populism (Keep the junta)

* PersecutedIntellectuals: One focus of Bauer's tree is to disband the universities.

[[folder:Hjalmar Schacht]]
->'''Party:''' Nationalliberale Partei[[note]]National Liberal Party: Created in 1866, the NLP began as the most prominent German party, becoming a main backer of the Bismarck chancellorship, however after Bismarck's turn the right, the party's influence has been continuously waning. The NLP was mainly powerless in the Reichstag during the Weltkrieg, though cooperating with the left-wing parties at times. When the DVLP was created, some thought the NLP would get usurped by them, but Stresemann was able to keep the NLP independent, with him leading the NLP to be neutral on the Ludendorff dictatorship.\\

->'''Ideology''' Market Liberalism
A German economist, Hjalmar Schacht is the current head of the Reichsbank and the leader of the NLP, one of the main liberal parties in Germany.
----
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Hjalmar Schacht was the Minister of Economy of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1937. He played a key role in the rearmament of Germany even though he went into opposition to Hitler from 1937. In the world of Kaiserreich, Schacht is a liberal economist and politician who has nothing to do with the Nazi party equivalent, the DVLP.
* MegaCorp: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- As leader of the NLP, Schacht is the champion of the big German companies. However, in 1936, some of them are tempted to find another representative.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Franz von Papen]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_franz_von_papen.png]]
->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag's Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932.\\

->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
Franz von Papen, a German politician and diplomat, is a prominent member of the Zentrumspartei. President of this conservative party since 1932, he has engaged in a rapprochement with the DKP, to the great displeasure of the moderate members of the Zentrum.
----
* HistoricalDowngrade: In OTL, Franz von Papen was Chancellor of Germany in 1932 for just over 5 months. In Kaiserreich, he was never chancellor and is only the leader of the Zentrum.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Franz von Papen played a key role in Hitler's rise to power and was his vice-chancellor from 1933 to 1934. In Kaiserreich, von Papen is a conservative politician close to the reactionary elements of the DKP.
* TheRival: To Heinrich Brüning. The latter criticizes him for being close to the DKP and heads the moderate wing of the Zentrum, thus becoming his main opponent within the party itself.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Heinrich Brüning]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_bruning.png]]
->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag's Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932.\\

->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
A German politician, Heinrich Brüning leads the moderate wing of the conservative party Zentrum. Deeply opposed to Franz von Papen, the party president, he tries to reunite the Zentrum with those who have left the party in previous years.

* HistoricalDowngrade: In OTL, Heinrich Brüning was the Chancellor of Germany from 1930 to 1932 and played a key role in German history in trying to cope with the Great Depression. In Kaiserreich he is only the leader of the moderate wing of the Zentrum and is therefore a minor political figure.
* InternalReformist: If Brüning is opposed to the Zentrum's alignment with the DKP, he tries to change this within the party itself, instead of leaving it like many other politicians.
* TheRival: To Franz von Papen. Heinrich Brüning is opposed to von Papen's policy of rapprochement with the DKP and is his main opponent in the Zentrum.

[[folder:Heinrich Claß]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_class_kr.png]]
->'''Party:''' Deutsche Vaterlandspartei[[note]]The DVLP (German Fatherland Paty), was formed in late 1917 to represent the jingoist, anti-democratic and radical nationalist political class, with it being strongly aligned to the Alldeutscher Verband. The DVLP was the most prominent supporter of the Ludendorff dictatorship, though there was some differences in opinion over economic issues. When the Ludendorff dictatorship was removed, Alfred von Tirpitz was picked by Wilhelm as his successor, with him creating a Great Coalition of right-<wing parties to solve the issues brought on by the Ludendorff dictatorship. This moderation of the party caused a lot of upset from the right-wing of the party, manifesting itself when they took over the party in the wake of the death of von Tirpitz. However, this takeover caused many supporters of the DVLP to abandon the party in favour of the DKP and DRP. The DVLP advocates for pan-Germanism, anti-parliamentarianism, anti-socialism and anti-semitism.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' National Populism
Heinrich Claß is a German politician who is one of the leaders of the DVLP, a nationalistic, anti-democratic and anti-Semitic far-right party. Since the death of Chancellor von Tirpitz in 1930, the DVLP has been a mere reflection of what it once was. The antisemitic rhetoric of its leadership, including Claß, caused many moderate party members to defect to the DKP and DRP.

* AllohistoricalAllusion: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- The DVLP has many similarities with the Nazi party, be it in antisemitic rhetoric, anti-parliamentarianism or pan-Germanism. However, if Heinrich Claß is the equivalent of Adolf Hitler in Kaiserreich, he is far from the status of the latter in OTL at the same time.
* DemocracyIsBad: Claß is far from being a great admirer of democracy as he is openly opposed to socialism and parliamentarianism.
* EvilOldFolks: At the beginning of the game, Heinrich Claß is 67 years old.
* ANaziByAnyOtherName: Claß is an extreme right-wing nationalist and anti-Semite who advocates the unification of all Germanic peoples.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Heinrich Claß and the DVLP are best known for their virulent antisemitism.

!!''The Military''
[[folder:August von Mackensen]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_august_mackensen_kr.png]]

August von Mackensen is a living legend in Germany. A veteran of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, he continued his military career until he became one of the main leaders of the German army during the Weltkrieg. After the war, von Mackensen became the head of the German army despite his old age. But at the age of 87 in 1936, the Generalfeldmarschall's physical and mental capacities are no longer what they were and many feel that von Mackensen should retire soon.

* ImprobableAge: Despite being 87 years old, Mackensen is one of the leading German field marshals and head of the Deutsches Heer.
* OldSoldier: August von Mackensen fought in the Franco-Prussian War before becoming one of the leading German generals of the Weltkrieg.
* RedBaron: The Generalfeldmarschall is known as "The Last Hussar".
* WarHero: In addition to his service in the Franco-Prussian War, Mackensen served with distinction during the Weltkrieg and distinguished himself in campaigns in Galicia, Serbia and Romania.

[[folder:Rupprecht von Bayern]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_rupprecht_bayern_kr.png]]

King of Bavaria, Rupprecht von Bayern is also a Generalfeldmarschall of the Deutsches Heer. Heir to King Ludwig III of Bavaria, he was put in charge of various armies as a nobleman when the Weltkrieg broke out. However, Rupprecht von Bayern quickly proved that he was one of the best generals in the German army. He was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in 1916 and became King of Bavaria in 1921. Since then, Rupprecht von Bayern has been a monarch committed to Bavarian institutions and is ready to defend the interests of his kingdom within Germany.

* TheGoodKing: Rupprecht von Bayern is genuinely concerned with the interests of Bavaria and respects the constitutional status of his kingdom.
* OldSoldier: The heir to the Bavarian throne served with distinction during the Weltkrieg and became one of the most decorated officers in the German army. Now the 60-year-old continues to exercise his commands in the Deutsches Heer.

[[folder:Gerd von Rundstedt]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_gerd_von_rundstedt_kr_8.png]]

Gerd von Rundstedt is a German general of the Deutsches Heer who is appreciated by his colleagues for his skills and experience. Moreover, he is considered to be the most apolitical officer in the German General Staff.

* GenerationXerox: Von Rundstedt followed the family tradition and made a career in the German armed forces like all the men of his family.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: The real Gerd von Rundstedt had no connection with the NSDAP, but nonetheless turned a blind eye on the massacres committed by his troops on the Eastern Front. After the war, he was prosecuted for his role in the extermination of Jews in the East and the summary execution of British prisoners of war in the West. In the world of Kaiserreich, von Rundstedt is an apolitical officer who serves a regime at peace that is not involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity.
* MyCountryRightOrWrong: Being apolitical, Gerd von Rundstedt serves his country first and foremost and considers that a Prussian officer never mutinies, no matter who rules Germany.
* OldSoldier: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- Von Rundstedt served during the Weltkrieg. However, he worked in staff positions and did not fight at the front.

[[folder:Albert Kesselring]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_albert_kesselring_kr.png]]
A general of the German army, Albert Kesselring is a potential leader of the German Air Force.
----
* AllohistoricalAllusion: Albert Kesselring's career is similar to the one he had at OTL. A general in the German army, he joined in 1933 a Luftwaffe that was being created.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: Like so many other German generals, Albert Kesselring was involved in the war crimes of Nazi Germany. He was accused of ordering the execution of Italian civilians at the end of the war. In Kaiserreich, Kesselring serves an imperial regime at peace and quite different from Nazi Germany.

[[folder:Erich Hoepner]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_erich_hoepner_kr_3.png]]
The German general Erich Hoepner is a potential Chief of Staff of the German military and Chief of the Heer, the German army.

* HistoricalDowngrade: Erich Hoepner is a controversial historical figure. General of the Nazi army, he participated in the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 and collaborated with the Einsatzgruppen. However, Hoepner later joined the German resistance to Hitler and was executed by the Nazis for his role in the July 20, 1944 coup. In any case, in Kaiserreich, Erich Hoepner is a mere general, far from the role he had in our history.

[[folder:Erich von Manstein]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_erich_von_manstein_kr_0.png]]

A German general, Erich von Manstein is a veteran of the First World War and a newcomer in the German General Staff. In the years following the war, he travelled around Europe studying the military tactics of other countries. Since then, von Manstein has been a proponent of reforming the Deutsches Heer to place greater emphasis on mobile warfare. He is a potential Chief of Staff of the German military.
-----
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Erich von Manstein was one of Hitler's best generals. Moreover, he participated in Nazi Germany's war crimes. For example, his French biographer, historian Benoît Lemay, proved in 2006 that von Manstein ordered several units of his 11th army to help the Einsatzgruppen to exterminate the Jews in Crimea in 1941-1942. In the world of Kaiserreich, Erich von Manstein is an ordinary German general who committed no crime.
* InternalReformist: Von Manstein stands out from his peers by his desire to modernise the German art of war.

[[folder:Heinz Guderian]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinz_guderian_kr_6.png]]
A German general, Heinz Guderian is a potential Chief of Staff of the German military.

* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: Like so many other generals of the German army in our reality, Heinz Guderian was involved in the crimes of the Nazi regime. During the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, his troops carried out numerous massacres without any protest from Guderian. In Kaiserreich, where Germany was not controlled by the Nazis, the general is not involved in any war crimes or crimes against humanity.

[[folder:Erich Raeder]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_erich_raeder_kr_3.png]]
An admiral of the German navy, Erich Raeder is a potential supreme commander of the German Navy
----
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: While in our reality Erich Raeder played an important role in the rearmament of Germany and in Adolf Hitler's military plans, in Kaiserreich he is a mere admiral who is far from any plans to commit war crimes or crimes against humanity.
* InSpiteOfANail: Erich Raeder can become supreme commander of the German Navy like in real life from 1928 to 1943.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Karl Dönitz]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_karl_donitz_kr.png]]
->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag's Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932. \\
With both the leftists and centrists within the party discredited, the right-wing under the leadership of Franz von Papen took over, pursuing an unitarian vision, which caused many defections from the party, with him also causing the left-wing of the party to jump ship and form the CSRP. The party is strongly aligned to the DKP, however there Heinrich Brüning is leading the opposition towards von Papen's leadership, wanting a return to the original federalist elements of the Zentrum, with him also wishing to reunite the Zentrum with its splinter parties.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
Karl Dönitz is a German admiral as well as a member of the Zentrum, a Catholic political party. He is one of Germany's potential economy ministers if the Zentrum comes to power and a potential leader of the German Navy.
----
* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The Protestant Dönitz can become a high-ranking member of Zentrum, an almost exclusively Catholic party both in real life and in the mod.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In the game, Karl Dönitz is just an admiral and member of a conservative party, whereas his real life counterpart was a major actor of the Nazi war effort during World War II, leading the Kriegsmarine from 1943 on. Moreover, he was a fervent anti-Semite and supporter of Hitler, and even succeeded Hitler as President of the Reich for a few days in May 1945.
[[/folder]]

->'''Ruling Party:''' Kabinett Dirksen[[note]]Dirksen Cabinet[[/note]]

->'''Party:''' Kabinett Dirksen[[note]]Dirksen Cabinet[[/note]]

* TakeAThirdOption: Not unlike Huey Long in America, despite being an anti-syndicalist, Scheleicher enjoys some popular support from his [[TheMoralSubstitute willingness to enact social democratic policies to take the teeth out of syndicalist movements]]. His eclectic blend of right and left wing political views is why he's described as "the Red General."

* ATasteOfPower: Germany begins with enough divisions to round out several armies, including a handful of tank divisions, an immense number of civilian factories, and national spirits reflecting an economic boom. The player has just enough time to queue up several new factories and watch that sweet production come rolling in... ''just'' in time for Black Monday to strike and all construction to come to a screeching halt for at least the next year.
* TheAlliance: Germany leads the Reichspakt, an alliance of states in Eastern Europe that were carved out of Russia after the German victory, and the economical union of Mitteleuropa.

* TyrantTakesTheHelm: While his father was not so concerned with German politics and gave the Chancellor and the Reichstag a great deal of room to manoeuvre, Wilhelm III is his exact opposite.
** Averted in all of the major paths in the rework. After Wilhelm [=II=] dies, he takes the throne and attempts to assert the monarch's power by appointing a new Chancellor agreeable to him but is stymied in all directions. The Social Democrat path stops him from subverting the democratically elected will of the people, the [=SWR=] stops him from bypassing their own ideologically conservative choice, and Schleicher stops him because he becomes a dictator who doesn't share power.

** He becomes available as a general during the [=2WK=] after an event in the rework, with average stats. [[spoiler:Should the secret republican path be triggered, the Crown Prince Wilhelm can choose to remain behind and continue the fight, after the war his fame as a war hero can propel him to the presidency and possibly restore the empire.]]

* TakeAThirdOption: Not unlike Huey Long in America, despite being an anti-syndicalist, Scheleicher enjoys some popular support from his [[TheMoralSubstitute willingness to enact quasi-socialist policies to take the teeth out of syndicalist movements]]. His eclectic blend of right and left wing political views is why he's described as "the Red General."

* ChummyCommies: While still an explicitly Marxist party in this timeline, the SPD adheres to a revisionist and controversial form of socialism that tries to achieve socialism through parliamentary politics, rejecting revolution and instead working within the mechanisms of liberal democracy.

* AllohistoricalAllusion: In Kaiserreich, Erwin von Witzleben is a potential supreme commander of the German armed forces, a position he should have had historically if the 20 July 1944 coup against Adolf Hitler had been successful.

* TheUsurper: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duke_Boris_Vladimirovich_of_Russia Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich]] is a member of the Romanovs that replaces the Hohenzollern dynasty should a monarchist Russia puppet Germany.

* ChummyCommies: While still an explicitly Marxist party, the SPD is noted to adhere to a revisionist form of socialism that tries to secure power through elections and the enactment of socialist policies through liberal democracy.

* EarnYourHappyEnding: While the hardest path for Germany[[labelnote:note]]Much of the difficulty comes from the democratic coalition's mini-game. To win, the player must take focuses to win their coalition partners' loyalty, pass laws that will push back the extremeists' revolt, and pass constitutional amendments to secure voting rights and a truly representative parliamentary republic... all the while as the [=2WK=] gets nearer and nearer, every focus spent passing laws and holding the coalition together is a focus ''not'' spent on military reform, securing world alliances or rebuilding the economy from Black Monday. By the time war breaks out, Germany will most likely be well behind the power curve on preparedness.[[/labelnote]], the Democratic Union path is the only path for the country that can turn Germany into an actual democracy.

* PathOfMostResistance: The Democratic Union path is said to be the most difficult of all of Germany's paths, the developers even recommending ''against'' trying it as a first playthrough. But it is also the path offering the greatest rewards.

* UnitedEurope: This will be one of the biggest objectives of Germany, which already has planted the first seeds with the Reichspakt as a common defense alliance and Mitteleuropa as a common economic zone.

->'''Role:''' Monarch[[note]]Head of State[[/note]]

->'''Role:''' Military Commander (Second Weltkrieg), Monarch[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (Wilhelm II succession or [[spoiler:Secret republican path, Empire restored]]), [[spoiler:Reichspräsident[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (Secret republican path, Crown prince refused to flee)]]

->'''Role:''' Monarch[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (Overlord keeps monarchy in Puppet Germany or [[spoiler:Secret republican path, Empire restored]] or [[spoiler:Bauer Putsch, Empire restored]]), [[spoiler:Reichpräsident[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (Secret republican path)]]

->'''Role:''' Prussian Minister of War, Reichskanzler[[note]]Head of Government[[/note]] (1936 election)

->'''Role:''' Reichskanzler[[note]]Head of Government[[/note]] (von Schleicher removed)

%%->'''Role:''' Oberpräsident of Pomerania, Reichskanzler[[note]]Head of Government[[/note]] (von Schleicher removed)

%%->'''Role:''' Reichskanzler[[note]]Head of Government[[/note]] (Kleist-Schmenzin succession, [=DkP=] dominant or Post-Welkrieg election)

%%->'''Role:''' Reichskanzler[[note]]Head of Government[[/note]] (Kleist-Schmenzin succession, DVLP dominant or Post-Welkrieg election)

->'''Role:''' Head of State (Bauer putsch)

->'''Role:''' General, Head of State (Dictatorship puppet state)

->'''Role:''' Head of State (Non-socialist puppet state)

->'''Role:''' Head of State (Commune of France puppet state)

->'''Role:''' Head of State (Socialist Russia puppet state)

->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (Münzenberg becomes leader of Socialists)

%%->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (Rhenish Socialist puppet)

%%->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (South German Socialist puppet)

%%->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (North German Socialist puppet)

%%->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (East German Socialist puppet)

%%->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (East Prussian Socialist puppet)

!! ''The Socialists''

->'''In-Game Biography''' [[labelnote:Click to Show]]Reigning as King of Prussia and German Emperor since 1888, Wilhelm II has earned the respect of the world in spite of his far from positive beginnings, and German hegemony since the end of the Weltkrieg has become indistinguishable from his persona. Taut, restless and irresolute, fiercely rejecting the desire of his mother Victoria to groom him into a liberal British aristocrat, yet never fully shaking off these habits, Wilhelm ascended to the Imperial throne at the age of 29. His reign was one of bellicose 'New Course', culminating in aggressive Weltpolitik, of feuds and conflicts with almost every one of his Chancellors, and of diplomatic blunders which isolated Germany in world affairs before the start of the Weltkrieg. In spite of the lacklustre start, Wilhelm slowly gained experience, or at least tried to temper his most irrational tendencies, especially after the Daily Telegraph Affair of 1908.\\
Though Wilhelm was never a reformist, he equally despised being shut out of political affairs by the clique gathered around Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff during the Weltkrieg, and tactically aligned with forces opposing their developing dictatorship at war's end. Victory in the Weltkrieg vindicated the Kaiser's imperialist course, erased his past blunders from public memory, and allowed him to break down the dictatorship of the two generals. Germany has since returned to normalcy, serving as the last anchor of the old world in a planet increasingly overtaken by revolt and revolution. By now, the Kaiser is almost 80 years old, and has ruled Germany for over half of those years. The youthful years of blunt interference in politics and xenophobic babbling in the press are past him - Wilhelm has been largely passive in German politics for well over a decade, expressing his will through a circle of advisors and the aid of his Crown Prince. However, he remains a symbol of Germany's victory, ambition, and dignity.[[/labelnote]]

->'''In-Game Biography''' [[labelnote:Click to Show]]Emperor Wilhelm III, despite lacklustre performance as commander of Germany's Army Group B during the Weltkrieg, was hailed as a hero upon his return home. With the death of his father, Wilhelm the war hero was enthroned as the new Emperor of Germany. Wilhelm is a friend and ally of Kurt von Schleicher, and affirms the importance of the aristocracy in governance.[[/labelnote]]
->'''In-Game Biography''' (General) [[labelnote:Click to Show]]Born:\\
May 6th, 1882, in the Marmorpalais of Potsdam, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire\\
Military Career: \\
The heir apparent of the German Empire since the age of six, Crown Prince Wilhelm is a decorated commander in the Imperial German Army in his own right. A modern royal well-liked within German society, a competent equestrian and a student of administrative law, he began his career in the army in 1911, commissioned to command the 1st Life Hussar Regiment. When the Weltkrieg began, he rose to command the 5th Army, and then the Army Group Kronprinz Wilhelm, despite his young age and lack of military experience. His influence in decision-making on the front was minimal, however, and Wilhelm instead used the prestige of his position to support Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff - he described the ousting of Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg as "the most beautiful day of his life".\\
Crown Prince Wilhelm returned from the Western Front a war hero and continued his duties as the heir apparent. In the post-war years, he has retained his position in the Army, while growing increasingly close with the German right wing - especially Kurt von Schleicher, who is a friend and ally of Wilhelm's.[[/labelnote]]

->'''In-Game Biography''' [[labelnote:Click to Show]]Born in 1906, Wilhelm IV is the oldest son of crown prince Wilhelm and grandson of the famous Wilhelm II. The Weltkrieg passed his life while he was merely a child, and so he grew up and gaine an eucation in the modern, parliamentarised postwar Empire. To an average German monarchist, Wilhelm II was mostly associated with his prewar scandals, media blunders, and incapacity to lead during the Weltkrieg, while the Crown Prince earned disdain due to his playboy attitude and involvement with the far right - so, they held their hopes in the second in line for the throne, the Crown Prince's son.\\
Despite being presented throughout the interwar as a "modern Hohenzollern" who is able to transcend rigid class boundaries, Wilhelm avoided involving himself in politics at all. Though he participated in a few public groups as an honorary member, he generally stayed focus on sports, student clubs, and military service. Yet, over time, he began to show considerable political acumen, and became genually popular as time went on - his popularity grew even further during the Second Weltkrieg, when he serived in the Heer as a lieutenant with distinction. As the new German Emperor, Wilhelm IV brings this experience to the field, and intends to not repeat the mistakes of his father and grandfather.[[/labelnote]]
Wilhelm III's son can become the leader of a rival German government and/or of a puppeted Germany.

[[folder:Ewald von Kleist-Schmenzin]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_ger_ewald_von_kleist_schmenzin.png]]
->'''Role:''' Oberpräsident of Pomerania, Reichskanzler[[note]]Head of Government[[/note]] (von Schleicher removed)
->'''Party:''' Kabinett Kleist-Schmenzin[[note]]Kleist-Schmenzin Cabinet[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Paternal Autocracy
Reichskanzler of the Schwarz-Weiß-Rot coalition.

[[folder:Kuno Graf von Westarp]]
->'''Role:''' Reichskanzler[[note]]Head of Government[[/note]] (Kleist-Schmenzin succession, [=DkP=] dominant or Post-Welkrieg election)
->'''Party:''' DNVB - Moderate
->'''Ideology:''' Authoritarian Democracy

[[folder:Ulrich von Hassell]]
->'''Role:''' Reichskanzler[[note]]Head of Government[[/note]] (Kleist-Schmenzin succession, DVLP dominant or Post-Welkrieg election)
->'''Party:''' DNVB - Rechte
->'''Ideology:''' Paternal Autocracy
----

[[folder:Max Bauer '''(UNMARKED SPOILERS)''']]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_ger_max_bauer.png]]
->'''Role:''' Head of State (Bauer putsch)
->'''Party:''' [=RdnR=]
->'''Ideology:''' Paternal Autocracy, National Populism (Keep the junta)

* AllohistoricalAllusion: Bauer can opt to not restore the Kaiser and instead maintain himself as the sole leader of his totalitarian Germany (switching him to National Populism), just like UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler refused any restoration of the Hohenzollern dynasty.
* ANaziByAnyOtherName: The closest parallel that Kaiserreich has to Adolf Hitler at present, Bauer establishes a totalitarian ultranationalist dictatorship and seeks to greatly expand Germany's territory. His focus tree also contains several references to OTL Nazi Germany.
* PersecutedIntellectuals: One focus of Bauer's tree is to disband the universities.
* ThePurge: Bauer will institute a "Black Terror" after taking power.
* ShoutOut: One focus of his tree is named Film/TriumphOfTheWill.

!!! Puppet Leaders
[[folder:Erwin von Witzleben]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_ger_erwin_von_witzleben.png]]
->'''Role:''' General, Head of State (Dictatorship puppet state)
->'''Party:''' Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland[[note]]National Committee for a Free Germany[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Paternal Autocracy
Erwin von Witzleben is a German general and a potential Chief of Staff of the German military and Chief of the Heer, the German army. He can also become the leader of a puppeted Germany if it capitulates to a dictatorship.

* AllohistoricalAllusion: In Kaiserreich, Erwin von Witzleben is a potential supreme commander of the German armed forces, a position he should have had historically if the 20 July 1944 coup against Adolf Hitler had been successful.
* HistoricalDowngrade: Historically, Erwin von Witzleben was a major figure in the German resistance to Hitler. A former field marshal in the German Army, he took part in the coup of the 20 July 1944 against Adolf Hitler and was to become the supreme commander of the Wehrmacht if successful. After this failure, von Witzleben was arrested by the Nazis and executed on 8 August 1944. In the game, Erwin von Witzleben is a simple general in a Germany where Hitler was just a soldier who died in 1920.

[[folder:Friedrich Paulus]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_friedrich_paulus_kr.png]]
->'''Role:''' Head of State (Non-socialist puppet state)
->'''Party:''' Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland[[note]]National Committee for a Free Germany[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Authoritarian Democracy
Friedrich Paulus can become the leader of a rival German government and/or of a puppeted Germany.
-----
* AllohistoricalAllusion: The real Paulus, after surrendering at Stalingrad, joined the Soviet-sponsored, anti-Nazi National Committee for a Free Germany before becoming an East German citizen. In Kaiserreich this is upgraded to possibly becoming the leader of a (non-socialist) puppeted Germany.

[[folder:Marie-Pierre Koenig]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_fra_marie_pierre_koenig_kr.png]]
->'''Role:''' Head of State (Commune of France puppet state)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Vereinigte[[note]]Communist Workers’ Party of Germany - United[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism
Marie-Pierre Koenig is a general of the Commune of France, who is in charge of the German Socialist occupation government and waits until a proper government can be created before returning back to France.

* AllohistoricalAllusion: In OTL Koenig was military governor of the French occupation zone in Germany after the end of [=WW2=] and can occupy a similar position in Kaiserreich.

[[folder:Georgy Zhukov]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_rus_georgiy_zhukov.png]]
->'''Role:''' Head of State (Socialist Russia puppet state)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiterpartei Deutschlands[[note]]Communist Workers' Party of Germany[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism

* AllohistoricalAllusion: In OTL Zhukov was military governor of the Soviet occupation zone in Germany right after the end of [=WW2=] and can occupy the same position in Kaiserreich.

[[folder:Willi Münzenberg]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_willi_munzenberg_3.png]]
->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (Münzenberg becomes leader of Socialists)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands[[note]]Communist Party of Germany[[/note]], Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Vereinigte[[note]]Communist Workers’ Party of Germany - United[[/note]], Bund der Kommunisten[[note]]The League of Communists is a minor radical tendency within the German far left, born out of the Hamburg tendency of the KAPD and originally led by Heinrich Laufenberg and Fritz Wolffheim — two trade union leaders and party leaders in Hamburg. They advocate for what they call "national communism" and "national syndicalism", and have sympathies towards German nationalism.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism, Syndicalism, Totalism
A German Socialist political activist who leads the Free German Socialist Republic after the election with KAPD is underway.

* AuthorityInNameOnly: Münzenberg is placed in power only temporarily until a leader aligning with Germany's overlord ideology can be chosen.

!! ''The Politicians''
[[folder:Hjalmar Schacht]]
->'''Party:''' Nationalliberale Partei[[note]]National Liberal Party: Created in 1866, the NLP began as the most prominent German party, becoming a main backer of the Bismarck chancellorship, however after Bismarck's turn the right, the party's influence has been continuously waning. The NLP was mainly powerless in the Reichstag during the Weltkrieg, though cooperating with the left-wing parties at times. When the DVLP was created, some thought the NLP would get usurped by them, but Stresemann was able to keep the NLP independent, with him leading the NLP to be neutral on the Ludendorff dictatorship.\\
After Ludendorff's fall and the rise of Tirpitz, the NLP joined Tirpitz's great coalition, with it supporting German colonialism, expansion of the military, and liberal economic policies in the government. Stresemann was able to make the NLP flourish, thus his death in 1929 strongly weakened the NLP. Dingeldey led the NLP in its worst election result ever, causing his resignation, and him unable to give the NLP a position in the government. Dingeldey was replaced by Reichsbankpräsident Hjalmar Schacht as leader, with Julius Curtius being the chancellor candidate of the NLP. The NLP has strong support among industry giants and the more well-off, though some of them have been moving away from the NLP, looking for a new champion of their interests.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology''' Market Liberalism
A German economist, Hjalmar Schacht is the current head of the Reichsbank and the leader of the NLP, one of the main liberal parties in Germany.

* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Hjalmar Schacht was the Minister of Economy of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1937. He played a key role in the rearmament of Germany even though he went into opposition to Hitler from 1937. In the world of Kaiserreich, Schacht is a liberal economist and politician who has nothing to do with the Nazi party equivalent, the DVLP.
* MegaCorp: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- As leader of the NLP, Schacht is the champion of the big German companies. However, in 1936, some of them are tempted to find another representative.

[[folder:Franz von Papen]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_franz_von_papen.png]]
->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag’s Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932.\\
With both the leftists and centrists within the party discredited, the right-wing under the leadership of Franz von Papen took over, pursuing an unitarian vision, which caused many defections from the party, with him also causing the left-wing of the party to jump ship and form the CSRP. The party is strongly aligned to the DKP, however there Heinrich Brüning is leading the opposition towards von Papen’s leadership, wanting a return to the original federalist elements of the Zentrum, with him also wishing to reunite the Zentrum with its splinter parties.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
Franz von Papen, a German politician and diplomat, is a prominent member of the Zentrumspartei. President of this conservative party since 1932, he has engaged in a rapprochement with the DKP, to the great displeasure of the moderate members of the Zentrum.

* HistoricalDowngrade: In OTL, Franz von Papen was Chancellor of Germany in 1932 for just over 5 months. In Kaiserreich, he was never chancellor and is only the leader of the Zentrum.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Franz von Papen played a key role in Hitler's rise to power and was his vice-chancellor from 1933 to 1934. In Kaiserreich, von Papen is a conservative politician close to the reactionary elements of the DKP.
* TheRival: To Heinrich Brüning. The latter criticizes him for being close to the DKP and heads the moderate wing of the Zentrum, thus becoming his main opponent within the party itself.

[[folder:Heinrich Brüning]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_bruning.png]]
->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag’s Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932.\\
With both the leftists and centrists within the party discredited, the right-wing under the leadership of Franz von Papen took over, pursuing an unitarian vision, which caused many defections from the party, with him also causing the left-wing of the party to jump ship and form the CSRP. The party is strongly aligned to the DKP, however there Heinrich Brüning is leading the opposition towards von Papen’s leadership, wanting a return to the original federalist elements of the Zentrum, with him also wishing to reunite the Zentrum with its splinter parties.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
A German politician, Heinrich Brüning leads the moderate wing of the conservative party Zentrum. Deeply opposed to Franz von Papen, the party president, he tries to reunite the Zentrum with those who have left the party in previous years.

* HistoricalDowngrade: In OTL, Heinrich Brüning was the Chancellor of Germany from 1930 to 1932 and played a key role in German history in trying to cope with the Great Depression. In Kaiserreich he is only the leader of the moderate wing of the Zentrum and is therefore a minor political figure.
* InternalReformist: If Brüning is opposed to the Zentrum's alignment with the DKP, he tries to change this within the party itself, instead of leaving it like many other politicians.
* TheRival: To Franz von Papen. Heinrich Brüning is opposed to von Papen's policy of rapprochement with the DKP and is his main opponent in the Zentrum.

[[folder:Heinrich Claß]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinrich_class_kr.png]]
->'''Party:''' Deutsche Vaterlandspartei[[note]]The DVLP (German Fatherland Paty), was formed in late 1917 to represent the jingoist, anti-democratic and radical nationalist political class, with it being strongly aligned to the Alldeutscher Verband. The DVLP was the most prominent supporter of the Ludendorff dictatorship, though there was some differences in opinion over economic issues. When the Ludendorff dictatorship was removed, Alfred von Tirpitz was picked by Wilhelm as his successor, with him creating a Great Coalition of right-<wing parties to solve the issues brought on by the Ludendorff dictatorship. This moderation of the party caused a lot of upset from the right-wing of the party, manifesting itself when they took over the party in the wake of the death of von Tirpitz. However, this takeover caused many supporters of the DVLP to abandon the party in favour of the DKP and DRP. The DVLP advocates for pan-Germanism, anti-parliamentarianism, anti-socialism and anti-semitism.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' National Populism
Heinrich Claß is a German politician who is one of the leaders of the DVLP, a nationalistic, anti-democratic and anti-Semitic far-right party. Since the death of Chancellor von Tirpitz in 1930, the DVLP has been a mere reflection of what it once was. The antisemitic rhetoric of its leadership, including Claß, caused many moderate party members to defect to the DKP and DRP.

* AllohistoricalAllusion: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- The DVLP has many similarities with the Nazi party, be it in antisemitic rhetoric, anti-parliamentarianism or pan-Germanism. However, if Heinrich Claß is the equivalent of Adolf Hitler in Kaiserreich, he is far from the status of the latter in OTL at the same time.
* DemocracyIsBad: Claß is far from being a great admirer of democracy as he is openly opposed to socialism and parliamentarianism.
* EvilOldFolks: At the beginning of the game, Heinrich Claß is 67 years old.
* ANaziByAnyOtherName: Claß is an extreme right-wing nationalist and anti-Semite who advocates the unification of all Germanic peoples.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Heinrich Claß and the DVLP are best known for their virulent antisemitism.

!!''The Military''
[[folder:August von Mackensen]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_august_mackensen_kr.png]]
->'''In-Game Biography''' [[labelnote:Click to Show]]Born:\\
December 6th, 1849, in Leipnitz, Province of Saxony, Kingdom of Prussia\\
Military Career: \\
The oldest general in the Imperial German Army, known as 'the Last Hussar', August Mackensen came from a middle-class upbringing in rural Prussia. His father, an agricultural administrator, hoped for his son to follow the same career path, but he instead volunteered for the Prussian army and served with distinction in the Franco-Prussian War. In the years following the war, Mackensen broke expectations one after the other, bypassing the three-year preparation period for the General Staff and later serving as an adjutant to Wilhelm II himself, the first commoner to do so. On the Kaiser's 40th birthday, he was ennobled, becoming August von Mackensen, and was assigned to command XVII Army Corps - a prestigious position, as Crown Prince Wilhelm now served under him. \\
During the Weltkrieg, he was one of Germany's most successful and prestigious commanders, assigned to front after front in Europe - Galicia, Serbia, and finally Romania, shattering Entente resistance in all three campaigns. He returned to Germany a war hero and a Generalfeldmarschall, and continued to serve in the Army thenceforth. By now, however, von Mackensen is over eighty years old, his sharpness has dulled and his body is no longer as able as it once was - most assume retirement is coming soon, the only thing that matters is when.[[/labelnote]]
August von Mackensen is a living legend in Germany. A veteran of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, he continued his military career until he became one of the main leaders of the German army during the Weltkrieg. After the war, von Mackensen became the head of the German army despite his old age. But at the age of 87 in 1936, the Generalfeldmarschall's physical and mental capacities are no longer what they were and many feel that von Mackensen should retire soon.

* ImprobableAge: Despite being 87 years old, Mackensen is one of the leading German field marshals and head of the Deutsches Heer.
* OldSoldier: August von Mackensen fought in the Franco-Prussian War before becoming one of the leading German generals of the Weltkrieg.
* RedBaron: The Generalfeldmarschall is known as "The Last Hussar".
* WarHero: In addition to his service in the Franco-Prussian War, Mackensen served with distinction during the Weltkrieg and distinguished himself in campaigns in Galicia, Serbia and Romania.

[[folder:Rupprecht von Bayern]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_rupprecht_bayern_kr.png]]
->'''In-Game Biography''' [[labelnote:Click to Show]]Born:\\
May 18th, 1869, in Munich, Kingdom of Bavaria\\
Military Career: \\
The incumbent King of Bavaria, Rupprecht Maria Luitpold Ferdinand, is also one of the most decorated commanders of the Imperial German Army during the Weltkrieg. Trained as an infantry officer in the Bavarian Army, he eventually rose to command the Bavarian I Army Corps, all while travelling extensively, taking up carpentry, and fulfilling his duties as a prince of the Bavarian royal family. In 1913, he became the heir apparent of the Kingdom, and a year later, he was assigned to lead the German Sixth Army during the Schlieffen Plan. Though his assignment was made due to his royal status, he proved to be an able and innovative commander. At the same time, however, he used his military command to push for Bavarian interests - refusing to withdraw his army from the Western Front to defend Prussia and thus forcing the General Staff to move troops from Belgium instead. \\
In July 1916, he was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall and was assigned to command the Army Group Rupprecht, a rank he has held onto until today. In 1921, after the passing of his father, Ludwig III of Bavaria, Rupprecht was crowned as the new King of Bavaria, and since then reigns as a constitutional monarch with respect for the laws and institutions of his homeland. Though having to occupy two chairs at once may seem exhausting for some, the King seems none worse for wear, and dutifully awaits Germany's next great war.[[/labelnote]]
King of Bavaria, Rupprecht von Bayern is also a Generalfeldmarschall of the Deutsches Heer. Heir to King Ludwig III of Bavaria, he was put in charge of various armies as a nobleman when the Weltkrieg broke out. However, Rupprecht von Bayern quickly proved that he was one of the best generals in the German army. He was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in 1916 and became King of Bavaria in 1921. Since then, Rupprecht von Bayern has been a monarch committed to Bavarian institutions and is ready to defend the interests of his kingdom within Germany.

* TheGoodKing: Rupprecht von Bayern is genuinely concerned with the interests of Bavaria and respects the constitutional status of his kingdom.
* OldSoldier: The heir to the Bavarian throne served with distinction during the Weltkrieg and became one of the most decorated officers in the German army. Now the 60-year-old continues to exercise his commands in the Deutsches Heer.

[[folder:Gerd von Rundstedt]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_gerd_von_rundstedt_kr_8.png]]
->'''In-Game Biography''' [[labelnote:Click to Show]]Born:\\
December 12th, 1875, in Aschersleben, Province of Saxony, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire\\
Military Career:\\
Born to a dynasty of Prussian nobility whose men all served in the military since Frederick the Great, Gerd von Rundstedt did not stray from this tradition – his path since maturity strayed little from the ordinary Prussian noble officer, first the Kadettenanstalt Oranienstein, then Royal Prussian Main Cadet Institute at Groβ-Lichterfelde, in Berlin. Commissioned as an infantry officer, he made a good impression on his superiors for outstanding ability and so began to climb the ranks. At the beginning of the Weltkrieg, he was the 22nd Division’s Chief of Staff – throughout the course of the war, he saw little action, mostly serving in various staff positions, but with a high reputation among his peers.\\
After the war, he used his good impression and connections to climb the ranks again, ultimately reaching the rank of Generaloberst. A competent and experienced commander respected by pretty much everyone in the General Staff, von Rundstedt is also perhaps the most apolitical – no matter what the topic or issue may be, his view is that the Army must stay out of any political affairs. After all, Prussian field marshals never mutiny.[[/labelnote]]
Gerd von Rundstedt is a German general of the Deutsches Heer who is appreciated by his colleagues for his skills and experience. Moreover, he is considered to be the most apolitical officer in the German General Staff.
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* GenerationXerox: Von Rundstedt followed the family tradition and made a career in the German armed forces like all the men of his family.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: The real Gerd von Rundstedt had no connection with the NSDAP, but nonetheless turned a blind eye on the massacres committed by his troops on the Eastern Front. After the war, he was prosecuted for his role in the extermination of Jews in the East and the summary execution of British prisoners of war in the West. In the world of Kaiserreich, von Rundstedt is an apolitical officer who serves a regime at peace that is not involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity.
* MyCountryRightOrWrong: Being apolitical, Gerd von Rundstedt serves his country first and foremost and considers that a Prussian officer never mutinies, no matter who rules Germany.
* OldSoldier: {{Downplayed|Trope}} -- Von Rundstedt served during the Weltkrieg. However, he worked in staff positions and did not fight at the front.

[[folder:Albert Kesselring]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_albert_kesselring_kr.png]]
A general of the German army, Albert Kesselring is a potential leader of the German Air Force.

* AllohistoricalAllusion: Albert Kesselring's career is similar to the one he had at OTL. A general in the German army, he joined in 1933 a Luftwaffe that was being created.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: Like so many other German generals, Albert Kesselring was involved in the war crimes of Nazi Germany. He was accused of ordering the execution of Italian civilians at the end of the war. In Kaiserreich, Kesselring serves an imperial regime at peace and quite different from Nazi Germany.

[[folder:Erich Hoepner]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_erich_hoepner_kr_3.png]]
The German general Erich Hoepner is a potential Chief of Staff of the German military and Chief of the Heer, the German army.

* HistoricalDowngrade: Erich Hoepner is a controversial historical figure. General of the Nazi army, he participated in the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 and collaborated with the Einsatzgruppen. However, Hoepner later joined the German resistance to Hitler and was executed by the Nazis for his role in the July 20, 1944 coup. In any case, in Kaiserreich, Erich Hoepner is a mere general, far from the role he had in our history.

[[folder:Erich von Manstein]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_erich_von_manstein_kr_0.png]]
->'''In-Game Biography''' [[labelnote:Click to Show]]Born:\\
November 24th, 1887, in Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire\\
Military Career: \\
Born as von Lewinski, Erich von Manstein comes from the family of a noble Prussian general with Kashubian heritage, and is the nephew of Paul von Hindenburg. Much like the rest of his extended family, he followed a career in the military. After six years in the cadet corps in Plön and Groβ-Lichtefelde, he was commissioned into the Third Foot Guards Regiment – and reached the Weltkrieg as an infantry lieutenant enrolled in the Prussian War Academy. The war put an end to his studies and sent him to the front – both East and West, in several front and several world-renown campaigns, ending with the victorious march into France in 1919. \\
After the end of the war, Manstein remained in the army and continued climbing the ranks, having shown his talent and intelligence in the years prior. As a newly inducted member of the General Staff, he toured countries across Europe to study their military facilities and breakthroughs in new tactics, all while developing his own. Regarded as an innovative commander with a knack for unorthodox strategies, he is one of the main proponents of combined arms, mobile warfare in the German army.[[/labelnote]]
A German general, Erich von Manstein is a veteran of the First World War and a newcomer in the German General Staff. In the years following the war, he travelled around Europe studying the military tactics of other countries. Since then, von Manstein has been a proponent of reforming the Deutsches Heer to place greater emphasis on mobile warfare. He is a potential Chief of Staff of the German military.
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* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In our reality, Erich von Manstein was one of Hitler's best generals. Moreover, he participated in Nazi Germany's war crimes. For example, his French biographer, historian Benoît Lemay, proved in 2006 that von Manstein ordered several units of his 11th army to help the Einsatzgruppen to exterminate the Jews in Crimea in 1941-1942. In the world of Kaiserreich, Erich von Manstein is an ordinary German general who committed no crime.
* InternalReformist: Von Manstein stands out from his peers by his desire to modernise the German art of war.

[[folder:Heinz Guderian]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_heinz_guderian_kr_6.png]]
A German general, Heinz Guderian is a potential Chief of Staff of the German military.
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* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: Like so many other generals of the German army in our reality, Heinz Guderian was involved in the crimes of the Nazi regime. During the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, his troops carried out numerous massacres without any protest from Guderian. In Kaiserreich, where Germany was not controlled by the Nazis, the general is not involved in any war crimes or crimes against humanity.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Erich Raeder]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_erich_raeder_kr_3.png]]
An admiral of the German navy, Erich Raeder is a potential supreme commander of the German Navy
----
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: While in our reality Erich Raeder played an important role in the rearmament of Germany and in Adolf Hitler's military plans, in Kaiserreich he is a mere admiral who is far from any plans to commit war crimes or crimes against humanity.
* InSpiteOfANail: Erich Raeder can become supreme commander of the German Navy like in real life from 1928 to 1943.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Karl Dönitz]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_karl_donitz_kr.png]]
->'''Party:''' Zentrumspartei[[note]]Created in 1870, the Zentrum (Centre) has always represented the interests of German Catholics. The party was the main enemy of Bismarck during the Kulturkampf, with it later becoming more and more integrated into day-to-day ruling. The Zentrum was a main architect of the Reichstag’s Peace Resolution of 1917, under the guise of the leader of the parliamentary faction, Matthias Erzberger. The Zentrum was opposed to the Ludendorff dictatorship, though it refrained from supporting protests. The party tried to widen its appeal in 1923, however this failed massively, causing the rise of the centrist Wilhelm Marx, however he was unable to turn the fortunes of the party, with the Zentrum losing another election in 1932. \\
With both the leftists and centrists within the party discredited, the right-wing under the leadership of Franz von Papen took over, pursuing an unitarian vision, which caused many defections from the party, with him also causing the left-wing of the party to jump ship and form the CSRP. The party is strongly aligned to the DKP, however there Heinrich Brüning is leading the opposition towards von Papen’s leadership, wanting a return to the original federalist elements of the Zentrum, with him also wishing to reunite the Zentrum with its splinter parties.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Social Conservatism
Karl Dönitz is a German admiral as well as a member of the Zentrum, a Catholic political party. He is one of Germany's potential economy ministers if the Zentrum comes to power and a potential leader of the German Navy.
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* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The Protestant Dönitz can become a high-ranking member of Zentrum, an almost exclusively Catholic party both in real life and in the mod.
* HistoricalVillainDowngrade: In the game, Karl Dönitz is just an admiral and member of a conservative party, whereas his real life counterpart was a major actor of the Nazi war effort during World War II, leading the Kriegsmarine from 1943 on. Moreover, he was a fervent anti-Semite and supporter of Hitler, and even succeeded Hitler as President of the Reich for a few days in May 1945.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Wilhelm Pieck]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_wilhelm_pieck_i.png]]
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands[[note]]Communist Party of Germany[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism
A German Marxist political activist who leads the Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands
----
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Rudolf Rocker]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_rudolf_rocker_i.png]]
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiterpartei Deutschlands/Kommunistische Arbeiter-Union Deutschlands[[note]]The KAPD (Communist Workers' Party) was formed in April 1920 as a split from the KPD based upon tactical and political differences, with the most important one being the KAPD's strong council-communist bent, anti-parliamentarianism and their tactics of 'leadership by example', decried as adventurist by the KPD majority. The KAPD's primary ally is the KAUD, formed in 1931 as a merger of the anti-trade union organisation AAUD (Allgemeine Arbeiter-Union Deutschland, General Workers' Union of Germany) and the AAUD-E (Allgemeine Arbeiter-Union - Einheitsorganisation, General Workers' Union of Germany - Unitary Organisation). Both the KAPD and KAUD express their support for 'Unionen', unions that are formed based upon economic regions, not trades, unlike the traditional 'Gewerkschaften'. These 'Unionen' are made out of factory organisations (Betriebsorganisationen, BO). They also both support the formation of a unitary organisation for the proletariat, however most agree that this is not possible currently and thus are willing to maintain the KAPD as a 'necessary evil' (the AAUD-E demanded immediate unification and thus split from the AAUD in 1921, which however after becoming fully decimated re-unified with the AAUD). The organisations insist that the revolution is not a task of a party, but the task of the proletariat, seeing the KAPD's role as merely being a catalyst for their action, with the task of the KAUD being meanwhile to fight against the traditional trade unions and take control of the workplaces.[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Syndicalism
A German Anarcho-Syndicalist political activist who leads the Kommunistische Arbeiter-Union Deutschlands.
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[[/folder]]

[[folder:Ernst Thälmann]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_ernst_thalmann.png]]
->'''Party:''' Bund der Kommunisten[[note]]League of Communists[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Totalism
A German Communist political activist who leads the Bund der Kommunisten
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[[/folder]]

[[folder:Paul Frölich]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_paul_frolich.png]]
->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (Rhenish Socialist puppet)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Rheinische[[note]]Communist Workers’ Party of Germany - Rhenish[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism, Syndicalism, Totalism
A German Socialist political activist who can lead the Rhenish Socialist Republic if Germany is taken over by Socialists and splits off the Rhineland
----
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Kurt Eisner]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_kurt_eisner.png]]
->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (South German Socialist puppet)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Süddeutsche[[note]]Communist Workers’ Party of Germany - South German[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism, Syndicalism, Totalism
A German Socialist political activist who can lead the South German Federation if Germany is taken over by Socialists and splits off South Germany
----
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Franz Jacob]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_franz_jacob.png]]
->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (North German Socialist puppet)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Norddeutsche[[note]]Communist Workers’ Party of Germany - North German[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism, Syndicalism, Totalism
A German Socialist political activist who can lead the North German Federation if Germany is taken over by Socialists and splits off North Germany
----
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Karl Liebknecht]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_germany_karl_liebknecht_4.png]]
->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (East German Socialist puppet)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Ostdeutsche[[note]]Communist Workers’ Party of Germany - East German[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism, Syndicalism, Totalism
A German Socialist political activist who can lead the East German Union if Germany is taken over by Socialists and splits off East Germany
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[[/folder]]

[[folder:Erich Wollenberg]]
[[quoteright:156:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/portrait_ger_erich_wollenberg_0.png]]
->'''Role:''' Chairman[[note]]Head of State[[/note]] (East Prussian Socialist puppet)
->'''Party:''' Kommunistische Arbeiter-Partei Deutschlands - Ostpreußischer[[note]]Communist Workers’ Party of Germany - East Prussian[[/note]]
->'''Ideology:''' Radical Socialism, Syndicalism, Totalism
A German Communist political activist who can lead the East Prussian Union if Germany is taken over by Socialists and splits off East Prussia
----
[[/folder]]

* ANaziByAnyOtherName: Bauer establishes a totalitarian nationalist dictatorship and seeks to greatly expand Germany's territory. His focus tree also contains several references to OTL Nazi Germany.