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Wilhelm II (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; 27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941) was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 until his abdication in 1918, which marked the end of the German Empire as well as the Hohenzollern dynasty's 300-year rule of Prussia.
- Kaiser Wilhelm II’s Early Years
- Emperor and King: 1888
- Kaiser Wilhelm II and World War I
- Kaiser Wilhelm II’s Years of Exile
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Kaiser Wilhelm II was born in Potsdam, Germany, on January 27, 1859, the son of Prince Frederick Wilhelm of Prussia (1831-88) and Princess Victoria (1840-1901), the oldest daughter of Queen Victoria(1819-1901). The future monarch was the queen’s firstborn grandchild and was genuinely fond of her; in fact, he was holding her in his arms when she die...
Wilhelm’s father became Kaiser Frederick III of Germany in March 1888. Already ill with terminal throat cancer, he died after a reign of only several months. Wilhelm succeeded his father on June 15, 1888, at the age of 29. Within two years of his coronation, Wilhelm broke with Otto von Bismarck(1815-98), the “Iron Chancellor” who had dominated Germ...
Wilhelm’s behavior during the crisis that led to war in August 1914 is still controversial. There is little doubt that he had been broken psychologically by the criticism that followed the Eulenburg-Harden and Daily Telegraph scandals; he suffered an episode of depression in 1908. In addition, the kaiser was out of touch with the realities of inter...
In late 1918, popular unrest in Germany (which had suffered greatly during the war) combined with a naval mutiny convinced civilian political leaders that the kaiser had to abdicate to preserve order. In fact, Wilhelm’s abdication was announced on November 9, 1918, before he had actually consented to it. He agreed to leave when the leaders of the a...
Learn about the life and reign of Wilhelm II, the German emperor and king of Prussia who played a controversial role in World War I. Find out how his personality, politics and naval ambitions shaped Germany's relations with other nations.
May 31, 2024 · William II (born January 27, 1859, Potsdam, near Berlin [Germany]—died June 4, 1941, Doorn, Netherlands) was the German emperor (kaiser) and king of Prussia from 1888 to the end of World War I in 1918, known for his frequently militaristic manner as well as for his vacillating policies.
Apr 3, 2014 · Born in Germany in 1859, to Germany's Frederick III and Victoria, Queen Victoria of England's eldest daughter, Kaiser Wilhelm served as emperor of Germany from 1888 until the end of World War I.
Wilhelm II., mit vollem Namen Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert von Preußen (* 27. Januar 1859 in Berlin ; † 4. Juni 1941 in Doorn ), aus dem Haus Hohenzollern war von 1888 bis 1918 letzter Deutscher Kaiser und König von Preußen .
Learn about Wilhelm II, who ruled Germany from 1888 to 1918 and pursued a bellicose policy that led to World War One. Find out about his family, his conflicts with Britain, his role in the war and his exile and death.
Learn about the role of Wilhelm II in the outbreak and conduct of the First World War, his ambitions, policies, and abdication. Explore his decisions, war aims, and relations with his generals, admirals, and allies.
