Wilhelm II

Wilhelm II was German Emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 until his abdication in 1918. His reign saw the dismissal of Otto von Bismarck and Germany’s defeat in World War I.

Otto von Bismarck: A Prussian statesman who unified Germany and served as its first chancellor from 1871 to 1890. Wilhelm dismissed Bismarck in 1890, ending their conflict over government and foreign policy.
German Revolution of 1918–1919: A series of uprisings that ended the German Empire and established a republic. Revolutionary unrest forced Wilhelm to abdicate in November 1918.
German Empire: The German nation-state founded in 1871 and governed as a monarchy until 1918. Wilhelm was its head of state within a system that gave the emperor substantial executive influence.
Kruger telegram: A 1896 telegram in which Wilhelm congratulated the Transvaal president after a failed British-backed raid. The message turned Wilhelm’s public intervention into a diplomatic affront to Britain.
Frederick III, German Emperor: German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days in 1888, immediately before Wilhelm II. Wilhelm succeeded his father, whose brief reign offered a different prospect for constitutional reform.
Bernhard von Bülow: A German diplomat and politician who served as chancellor from 1900 to 1909. As chancellor, he advanced the naval and imperial policies Wilhelm supported.
Armistice of 11 November 1918: The agreement that ended fighting between the Allies and Germany in World War I. Its approach made the emperor’s abdication part of Germany’s transition to peace.
German Constitution of 1871: The constitution that established the institutions and powers of the German Empire in 1871. It defined the emperor’s authority to appoint the chancellor and direct foreign affairs.
First Moroccan Crisis: A 1905–1906 international crisis over French influence in Morocco and Germany’s challenge to it. Wilhelm’s visit to Tangier made the emperor a conspicuous participant in the confrontation.
German constitutional monarchy: A monarchy in which constitutional rules limit or structure the sovereign’s political powers. Wilhelm’s rule shows the tension between constitutional institutions and an assertive emperor.

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