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Wilhelm II. deutscher
Kaiser und König von Preußen
(27.01.1859 - 04.06.1941)
place of birth: Potsdam, Brandenburg
Königreich Preußen:
Seine
Majestät der Kaiser und König,
Oberster Kriegsherr
Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert von Preußen,
was Queen Victoria's eldest grandchild. Wilhelm (William) was a
descendant of the Hohenzollern Dynasty; at the age of 29 he was crowned
Wilhelm II, becoming the last German Emperor and King of Prussia.
Wilhelm, also referred to as William, did not like Bismarck, however
(main conflict was over social policy), and thus dismissed him in 1890.
A birth defect rendered his left arm embarrassingly withered and
useless. He became obsessed with mysticism and thoroughly
believed in rule by divine right. His loathing of England was
due to an extreme inferiority complex and was fueled by the hatred of
his English mother, whom he placed under house arrest upon his father's
death.
Kaiser Wilhelm II gloried in the Prussian Army's
militaristic traditions, and his policies of German aggrandizement
paved the way to war in 1914. During the war, his influence declined
and once Hindenburg & Ludendorff had come into full power, he
had lost most of his effective power. He was forced to abdicate in
November 1918 and was exiled to the Netherlands. Wilhelm II
was described by his uncle, King Edward VII, as the 'most brilliant
failure in history'. The Kaiser died on 4 June 1941 in exile
in Doorn, Netherlands.
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"A difficult hour has broken over Germany. Envious
people everywhere force us to a justifiable defense. The sword is
forced into our hands. I hope that if, in the final hour, my efforts to
bring our opponents to insight and to peace do not succeed, we, with
God's help will wield the sword in such a way that we can then, with
honors, sheath it more firmly. A war would demand from the German
people enormous sacrifices in property and blood. But we would show our
enemies what it means to attack Germany. And now I bid you go with God
to church, kneel before Him and ask that He will help our good army!"
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Berlin, 1 August 1914
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