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How did Bavaria retain autonomy within the German Empire?

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Map showing the German Empire as it existed from 1871 to 1918, with its borders outlined and regions color-coded. The map highlights the Kingdom of Prussia in green and the full extent of the German Empire in yellow, including regions such as Bavaria, Saxony, Westphalia, and East Prussia. Neighboring countries like France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria-Hungary, and the Russian Empire are also labeled. Major cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are marked. — German Empire The German Empire, 1871–1918.

Under the German constitution of 1871, Bavaria secured a greater degree of independence than any other constituent state within the German Empire. This autonomy was established through separate treaties of union negotiated by the Bavarian government during the unification process.12

Key provisions that allowed Bavaria to retain this special status included:

Military Control: Bavaria maintained its own army during peacetime.2
Fiscal and Administrative Rights: The state retained control over its own postal and telegraph services. Additionally, it was granted the right to levy its own taxes on beer and brandy.2
Foreign Policy Participation: A committee of the Bundesrat chaired by Bavaria was established to advise the imperial chancellor on foreign policy matters, though this mechanism was rarely utilized in practice.2

These concessions were the result of negotiations led by the Bavarian prime minister, Otto von Bray-Steinburg, who resisted a total union and successfully demanded special treatment for the kingdom before joining the new empire.2