Wilhelm II

Wilhelm II (; 27 January 18594 June 1941) was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 until his abdication in 1918. Following the German Revolution, his reign ended the German Empire and the Hohenzollern dynasty's 300-year rule of Prussia.

 Biography 

 Early life and family 
Wilhelm was born on 27 January 1859 and was the oldest child in his family. His father was Prince Frederick of Prussia. His mother was Princess Victoria, the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria. He was born with a disabled left arm.

He married in 1881 Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein. He and his wife had seven children. He studied at the Kassel Gymnasium and then at the University of Bonn.

 Reign 
He became leader of Germany in 1888, when his father died. He disagreed with his father's longtime chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, and dismissed him in 1890.

Wilhelm believed in strengthening Germany’s armed forces, especially the navy. He led Germany during World War I. In November 9th, 1918, Wilhelm II stepped down from the throne, ending the German Empire.

 Titles and styles 

 27 January 1859 – 9 March 1888: His Imperial Royal Highness Prince Wilhelm of Prussia
 9 March 1888 – 15 June 1888: His Imperial Highness and Royal Highness The German Crown Prince, Crown Prince of Prussia
 15 June 1888 – 18 November 1918: His Imperial and Royal Majesty The German Emperor, King of Prussia

 Notes 

 Other websites 

Category:1859 births
Category:1941 deaths
Category:Crown princes and princesses of Prussia
Category:German emperors
Category:German people of World War I
Category:Kings and Queens in Germany
Category:Kings and Queens of Prussia
Category:House of Hohenzollern
Category:19th-century monarchs in Europe
Category:20th-century heads of state of Germany
Category:20th-century monarchs in Europe