| Wilhelm II | |
 | |
| Emperor of Germany; King of Prussia | |
| In office:
June 15, 1888 - June 4, 1941 | |
| Predecessor: | Frederick III |
| Successor: | Wilhelm III |
| Biography | |
| Spouse: |
Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein (1881 - 1921) Hermine Reuss of Greiz (1922 - 1941) |
| Issue: |
Prince Eitel Friedrich Prince Adalbert Prince August Wilhelm Prince Oskar Prince Joachim Princess Viktoria Luise |
| Full Name: | Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert |
| House: | House of Hohenzollern |
| Father: |
Frederick III, German Emperor |
| Mother: | Victoria, Princess Royal |
| Born: |
January 27 1859, Crown Prince's Palace, Berlin, Prussia |
| Died: | June 4 1941, New Palace, Berlin, German Empire |
| Religion: | Evangelical Christian Church |
Wilhelm II or William II (January 27 1859 - June 4 1941) was Emperor of Germany (1888 - 1941).
He served as Emperor of Germany for nearly 53 years and is widely credited with making Germany a world power.
Early Life[]
Wilhelm was born at Crown Prince's Palace in Berlin. Due to complications during his delivery, his left arm was permanently paralyzed.
World War I[]
Interwar Years[]
February Constitution[]
Immediately after the end of the war Wilhelm faced major problems at home. The Social Democrats - who had been the largest party in the Reichstag since 1912 - demanded a new constitution that would limit the power of the Kaiser and transform Germany into a British-style constitutional monarchy.
The Winter of 1918-19 was particularly bleak for many Germans. Despite the fact that Germany had won the war the victory was hollow, with political infighting between social democrats and conservatives breaking out into street protest. The death of Chancellor, Georg von Hertling in January 1919 did help resolve matters. Under pressure from his advisors Wilhelm appointed Max von Baden, a liberal member of the royal family, as Chancellor. Von Baden was acceptable to reformers and Wilhelm and was tasked with negotiating with the Social Democrats.
In February 1919 political reforms were agreed to and elections were held the following month. The SPD gained seats, but an alliance of Conservative, Liberal and Nationalist groups formed in support of a von Baden chancellorship.
Political Isolation 1920 - 1929[]
In June 1920 von Baden resigned, with centre party politician Konstantin Fehrenbach. During this period Wilhelm largely withdrew from politics, spending most of his time sailing and chopping down trees.
Wilhelm II, 1925
Depression Years 1929 - 1931[]
Harzburg Front[]
Wilhelm had always favoured Nationalist groups, covertly supporting Admiral Tirpitz's Fatherland Party in 1919.
In October 1931 Nationalist groups, led by the DNVP, met at Bad Harzburg and commenced a march to Berlin to topple the Bruning government.
Wilhelm II, 1933
World War II[]
Death and Funeral[]
Wilhelm died on June 4th 1941 in the New Palace, Berlin. A week of national mourning was declared.
Legacy[]
Wilhelm II is regarded as the father of modern Germany, making the Germany a world power, and the dominant European nation.