Wilhelm II, German Emperor
Wilhelm II[b] (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; 27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941) was the last reigning German Emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 until his abdication in 1918, following the German Revolution. His reign ended the German Empire and the Hohenzollern dynasty's 300-year rule of Prussia.
| Wilhelm II | |||||||||
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 Wilhelm II in 1902 | |||||||||
| German Emperor King of Prussia | |||||||||
| 15 June 1888 – 9 November 1918 | |||||||||
| Predecessor | Frederick III | ||||||||
| Successor | Monarchy abolished Friedrich Ebert (as President) | ||||||||
| Chancellors | See list
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| Born | Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert 27 January 1859 Kronprinzenpalais, Berlin, Prussia | ||||||||
| Died | 4 June 1941 (aged 82) Huis Doorn, Doorn, Netherlands[a] | ||||||||
| Burial | 9 June 1941 Huis Doorn, Doorn | ||||||||
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| House | Hohenzollern | ||||||||
| Father | Frederick III, German Emperor | ||||||||
| Mother | Victoria, Princess Royal | ||||||||
| Religion | Lutheranism (Prussian United) | ||||||||
| Signature |  | ||||||||
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Biography
Early life and family
Wilhelm was born on 27 January 1859 and was the oldest child in his family. His father was Prince Frederick of Prussia. His mother was Princess Victoria, the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. He was born with a disabled left arm.
He married in 1881 Augusta Victoria. He and his wife had seven children. He studied at the Kassel Gymnasium and then at the University of Bonn.
Reign
He became leader of Germany in 1888, when his father died. He disagreed with his father's longtime chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, and dismissed him in 1890.
Wilhelm believed in strengthening Germany’s armed forces, especially the navy. He led Germany during World War I. In November 9th, 1918, Wilhelm II stepped down from the throne, ending the German Empire.
Titles and styles
- 27 January 1859 – 9 March 1888: His Imperial Royal Highness Prince Wilhelm of Prussia
- 9 March 1888 – 15 June 1888: His Imperial Highness and Royal Highness The German Crown Prince, Crown Prince of Prussia
- 15 June 1888 – 18 November 1918: His Imperial and Royal Majesty The German Emperor, King of Prussia
Wilhelm II, German Emperor Media
Prince William of Prussia, November 1867.
Prince Wilhelm as a student at the age of 18 in Kassel.
Otto von Bismarck, the Chancellor who dominated German policy making until Wilhelm II assumed the throne in 1888
"Dropping the Pilot" by John Tenniel, published in Punch on 29 March 1890, two weeks after Bismarck's forced resignation as Chancellor
Wilhelm talking with Ethiopians at the Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg in 1909
Wilhelm indulging in his famed appreciation of flamboyant uniforms
Wilhelm with Nicholas II of Russia in 1905, wearing the military uniforms of each other's army
Wilhelm in Jerusalem during his state visit to the Ottoman Empire, 1898
A 1904 British cartoon commenting on the Entente cordiale: John Bull walking off with Marianne, turning his back on Wilhelm II, whose sabre is shown extending from his coat
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Notes
- ↑ The Netherlands was under German occupation at the time of Wilhelm's death.
- ↑ The English-language form William II is uncommon in contrast to other historical monarchs.
Other websites
Media related to Wilhelm II, German Emperor at Wikimedia Commons