Kaiser Wilhelm II: Short Biography

Kaiser Wilhelm II was born on January 27, 1859, in Berlin, Germany. He became the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, reigning from 1888 until his abdication in 1918 following Germany’s defeat in World War I.

Wilhelm was known for his ambitious foreign policies, naval expansion, and strong belief in monarchy and German imperial power. His leadership and diplomatic decisions significantly influenced the events leading up to World War I. After the war, he lived in exile in the Netherlands until his death in 1941.

His reign remains one of the most studied periods in European history for its dramatic impact on global affairs and the shift from monarchy to republicanism in Germany.

10 Memorable Quotes by Kaiser Wilhelm II

1. “There is only one master in this Reich, and I am he.”
2. “Give me a naval power and I will rule the world.”
3. “I wish to see my soldiers pray as well as fight.”
4. “I look upon myself as an instrument of the Almighty and go on my way regardless of transient opinions and views.”
5. “Every citizen must work for the greatness of the German Empire.”
6. “Without a strong army and navy, Germany has no future.”
7. “Germany must have her place in the sun.”
8. “My grandfather built up the empire with blood and iron, and I shall keep it with the same means.”
9. “A king must lead his people, not follow them.”
10. “The world will envy Germany her future.”