Wilhelm II, German Emperor

German Emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 to 1918

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
Photograph of a middle-aged Wilhelm II with a moustache
Wilhelm II in 1902
German Emperor
King of Prussia
Reign15 June 1888 – 9 November 1918
PredecessorFrederick III
SuccessorMonarchy abolished
Friedrich Ebert (as President)
Chancellors
BornFriedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert
(1859-01-27)27 January 1859
Kronprinzenpalais, Berlin, Prussia
Died4 June 1941(1941-06-04) (aged 82)
Huis Doorn, Doorn, Netherlands[a]
Burial9 June 1941
Huis Doorn, Doorn
Spouse
  • (m. 1881; died 1921)
  • (m. 1922)
Issue
Full name
Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert
HouseHohenzollern
FatherFrederick III, German Emperor
MotherVictoria, Princess Royal
ReligionLutheranism (Prussian United)
SignatureWilhelm II's signature

Biography

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Early life and family

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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.

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

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  1. The Netherlands was under German occupation at the time of Wilhelm's death.
  2. The English-language form William II is uncommon in contrast to other historical monarchs.

Other websites

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  Media related to Wilhelm II, German Emperor at Wikimedia Commons