WW1 related... Question

[Gilmer]

What did the Germans cheer during WW1? There wasn't Heil Hitler, was it Deutschland Über Alles?

I guess a strange question. I guess what did all countries say? England had God Save the Queen (King?)?

Was there a saying that cheered the Kaiser?

[Terminus]

Well, they always liked "Gott mit uns", but that goes back to Frederick the Great, IIRC.

[Chickenboy]

They were big on their superior "Kultur" (spelling?) right about then too. Don't know how that worked into any cheer though.

[Sarge]

ORIGINAL: H Gilmer

What did the Germans cheer during WW1? There wasn't Heil Hitler, was it Deutschland Über Alles?

I guess a strange question. I guess what did all countries say? England had God Save the Queen (King?)?

Was there a saying that cheered the Kaiser?

Prussian Royal anthem or Heil Dir im Siegerkranz but don't think it was ever made "official"

[Gilmer]

Thanks all.

[GoodGuy]

"Für (den) Kaiser und (das) Vaterland" = "for (the) emperor and (the) fatherland", probably, which would be close to the British "for King and country", if going into combat, I guess.

During festivities or public appearances, the people would say "Hoch lebe der Kaiser" and probably "lang lebe der Kaiser" (hard to translate the first one, as "hoch" [high] does not translate to "long" or "hail", even though "lebe" means "live"):
= "Hail to the emperor", or "long live the emperor". It was common to let the emperor "hochleben", which means to hurrah him or to celebrate him.

Prior to WWI, Kaiser (emperor) Wilhelm II. and his advisors had installed a personality cult, the people were focused and "conditioned" on their Kaiser.

Just like in Thailand nowadays, offending the German emperor, using his name in a bad context or badmouthing him usually resulted in hefty prison sentences of 2 months to 5 years, or - if it was rated to be a felony - in life sentences, according to the regulations signed into law in 1871.
When Wilhelm II. succeeded the crown in 1888, that law was virtually abolished. This was not surprising, as he wanted to be loved and respected by the ppl, hence his numerous public appearances and trips across Germany; he was the first media monarch of the 20th century. Still, for him, the absolute power did not rest with the people, or their representatives in the German Reichstag (parliament with limited rights), but with him as an absolute ruler who was being supported by a loyal military.