KW
Kaiser Wilhelm II
1859-01-27 – 1941-06-04
Last German Emperor whose aggressive policies helped start World War I.
world war 1rulergermany
Kaiser Wilhelm II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling from 1888 until his abdication in 1918. His aggressive foreign policy, including a naval arms race with Britain and support for Austria-Hungary against Serbia, played a significant role in starting World War I. He encouraged militarism and dismissed the diplomatic caution of his predecessor, Otto von Bismarck. As Germany faced defeat in 1918, he abdicated the throne and fled to the Netherlands, where he lived in exile until his death in 1941.