Wilhelm II

Wilhelm II forced Otto von Bismarck to resign as Chancellor of Germany, ending Bismarck's 28-year tenure. Wilhelm sought to rule personally and disagreed with Bismarck's domestic and foreign policies, particularly the Anti-Socialist Laws and alliance system.

Wilhelm II initiated a massive naval expansion program under Admiral Tirpitz, aiming to build a fleet capable of challenging the British Royal Navy. This policy, embodied in the Naval Laws of 1898 and 1900, intensified Anglo-German rivalry and contributed to World War I.

Wilhelm II authorized the implementation of the Schlieffen Plan, a military strategy for a two-front war against France and Russia. The plan involved invading neutral Belgium, which brought Britain into the war and set the stage for the Western Front's trench warfare.

Wilhelm II assured Austria-Hungary of Germany's full support in its conflict with Serbia following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. This blank check encouraged Austria-Hungary to issue an ultimatum to Serbia, escalating the July Crisis into World War I.

Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia on November 9, 1918, following the German Revolution and military defeat in World War I. He fled to exile in the Netherlands, ending the Hohenzollern monarchy and the German Empire.