Branch: Government
Born: 27 January 1859 in Berlin, Germany.
Died: 4 June 1941 in Doorn, Netherlands.
Appointment's:
Emperor
Decorations:
Other: Personnel
Articles:
Wilhelm II, German Emperor and king of Prussia, 1888-1918
was born in Berlin, January 27, 1859, the eldest son of Frederick,
afterwards German emperor, and his wife Victoria, daughter
of Queen Victoria. He was baptised Freidrich Wilhelm Victor
Albrecht, and after a spell of private tuition was sent to
Cassel and then to Bonn. In 1881 he married Augusta Victoria,
daughter of Frederick, duke of Augustenburg.
On June 15 1888 William succeeded his father as king and emperor
and for 30 years was one of the foremost figures in Europe,
especially after 1890, when he dismissed Bismarck and became
himself the director of Germany's policy . His restless energy
led him to make spectacular tours, such as the one to the
Holy Land in 1898 to rush to London and other capitals and
discuss affairs of state with sovereigns and statesmen and
to make himself noticeable by martial speeches to his troops.
At one time he seemed sincerely anxious to keep the peace
at others, as when he telegraphed to Kruger in 1896, determined
to cause trouble. He was consistent, however, in his efforts
to give Germany a place in the sun to maintain
her army, extend her colonial empire, foster her trade, and
make her heard, if not always respected on all questions of
international politics. He supported the idea of a great German
navy, but above all, with the army as the main support of
his throne, believed that he ruled by divine right.
In July 1914 convinced that he possessed an invincible army,
the Kaiser decided on war. During its course, as nominal commander-in-chief
he flitted from place to place in the battle areas. Believing
that Germany would yet triumph he refused to read the signs
pointing to her downfall in the autumn of 1918 and when told
that his cause was hopeless he reluctantly abdicated on November
9th and on November 10th he fled into Holland where the castle
of Amerongen was granted to him for his residence. The treaty
of peace declared the ex-Kaiser a criminal and arrangements
were made for his trial in London. On January 16th 1920 his
extradition was formally demanded but it was refused by the
Dutch government and he continued to live in Holland. His
wife died April 11th 1920 having borne her husband six sons
and a daughter. In 1922 he married Princess Hermine von Reuss.
The ex-Kaiser defence of his career and policy was translated
into English as Comparative Historical Tabulations from
1878 to the Outbreak of war in 1914.
For a complete list of
sources
