Wilhelm II Biography

Marries Princess Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg

Succeeds after the death of his father Frederick III.

Receives striking miners in Berlin. Criticises coal producers & demands an end to the strike on miners terms

Dismisses Bismarck

Proposes shortening working hours & regulating Sunday work. Attributes the rise of socialism to failure of the Government to reform

Criticises Bismarck for making arrangements with the Centre without his knowledge

Forces Bismarck's resignation as Imperial Chancellor

Announces Britain intends to give the Straits to Russia & refuses to allow it

Announces Britain intends to give the Straits to Russia & he refuses to allow it

Telegrams Kruger supporting him against the British backed Jameson Raid

The Kaiser sends a telegram ("Kruger telegram") congratulating President Kruger and the Transvaal Government on their success

The Kaiser sends a telegram ("Kruger telegram") congratulating President Kruger and the Transvaal Government on their success. Disclosed in the British press, raises a storm of anti-German feeling

In a speech says that Germany's future "lay on the water"

Present at Bremerhavan when 4,000 German soldiers set sail for China

Compares his army to the Huns & himself as Moses leading the Israelites in China

Approves the government's naval demonstration at Agadir.

Supports an assertive attempt to obtain colonial concessions from France.

Approves territorial gains for Kamerun while abandoning claims in Morocco.

Accepts the agreement ending the confrontation with France.

Advises that the 90,000 Russian prisoners "should be left to starve"

Opens the widened Kiel Canal

The Kaiser receives at Potsdam special envoy from Austrian Emperor and promises "the full support of Germany" in the event of Austrian action against Serbia. He consults his military and naval advisers before leaving for a cruise in northern waters

Asks the Tsar to spare Europe, "the most horrible war she has ever witnessed"

Proposes Germany call off her mobilization but is turned down by the General Staff

Declares war on his cousin Tsar Nicholas II of Russia

Wilhelm II requires greater caution before major fleet operations, limiting the High Seas Fleet's offensive freedom.

Warns the Americans, "had better look out after this war"

Orders an end to the peace negotiations with Russia

Orders German retreat to Blucher position north of Vesle

Wilhelm II refuses to abdicate, Prince Max of Baden simply announces that he had done so and frantically attempts to establish a regency under another member of the House of Hohenzollern. "Majority Social Democrats" (MSPD, who support a Parliamentary system) put themselves at the front of the revolutionary movement & demand that Emperor Wilhelm II abdicate

"Majority Social Democrats" (MSPD, who support a Parliamentary system) put themselves at the front of the revolutionary movement & demand that Emperor Wilhelm II abdicate

The Commander of the Imperial army, Hindenburg, orders the Kaiser to abdicate

Wilhelm II is exiled to Doorn in Holland

The Commander of the Imperial army, Hindenburg, orders the Kaiser to abdicate