Kaiser Wilhelm II: Biography of the Last German Emperor and King of Prussia

Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia, ruled from June 15, 1888, until his abdication on November 9, 1918, marking the end of the German Empire. His reign was tumultuous, characterized by grand ambitions and disastrous decisions that not only reshaped Germany but also contributed to the broader context of global conflict. Although Wilhelm's creation of a powerful navy and his drive to position Germany as a dominant world power earned him recognition, his erratic public statements and volatile foreign policy alienated many, making him a central figure in the lead-up to World War I.

Born in 1859 to Prince Frederick William of Prussia and Victoria, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom, Wilhelm II was part of a deeply interconnected European royal family. His mother, Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, brought him into a web of political alliances that spanned several major European nations. Wilhelm’s father, Frederick III, briefly held the throne for only 99 days in 1888 before his untimely death, making it a year of remarkable transitions. Just months after his father’s passing, Wilhelm succeeded to the throne during what historians refer to as the "Year of the Three Emperors," as Wilhelm’s grandfather, Wilhelm I, had also died earlier that year.