Wilhelm II Biography and Timeline

Marriage

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

Role range: 1888-1918

Succession

Succeeds after the death of his father Frederick III.

Role range: 1888-1918

Strike

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

Role range: 1888-1918

Reform of Labour Law

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

Role range: 1888-1918

Dismissal

Criticises Bismarck for making arrangements with the Centre without his knowledge

Role range: 1888-1918

Dismissal

Forces Bismarck's resignation as Imperial Chancellor

Role range: 1888-1918

Dismissal

Dismisses Bismarck

Role range: 1888-1918

Jameson Raid

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

Kruger Telegram

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

Foreign Policy Statement at Berlin

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

Role range: 1888-1918

Rule of Straits

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

Role range: 1888-1918

Telegrams Kruger supporting him against the British backed Jameson Raid

Telegrams Kruger supporting him against the British backed Jameson Raid

Role range: 1888-1918

Armament

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

Role range: 1888-1918

Mobilization

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

Role range: 1900-1901 – 1888-1918

Mobilization

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

Role range: 1900-1901 – 1888-1918

Agadir Policy Approval

Approves the government's naval demonstration at Agadir.

Role range: 1888-1918

Imperial Support for Panther Dispatch

Supports an assertive attempt to obtain colonial concessions from France.

Role range: 1888-1918

Agadir Crisis Convention

Approves territorial gains for Kamerun while abandoning claims in Morocco.

Role range: 1888-1918

Moroccan Settlement Accepted

Accepts the agreement ending the confrontation with France.

Role range: 1888-1918

Kiel Canal

Opens the widened Kiel Canal

Reception of At Potsdam special envoy from Austrian Emperor

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

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

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Mobilization

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Declaration of War

Declares war on his cousin Tsar Nicholas II of Russia

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Capture of Tannenberg

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Kaiser Restricts High Seas Fleet Operations

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Warns the Americans, had better look out

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Peace

Orders an end to the peace negotiations with Russia

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Retreat

Orders German retreat to Blucher position north of Vesle

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Abdication

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Weimar Republic

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

Role range: 1919-1933 – 1888-1918

Abdication

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Exile of Wilhelm II

Wilhelm II is exiled to Doorn in Holland

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918

Imperial Army

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1888-1918