Wilhelm II of Germany

Wilhelm II forced Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to resign, ending Bismarck's 28-year tenure. The dismissal stemmed from disagreements over domestic and foreign policy, including labor laws and relations with Russia. Wilhelm II's decision marked a shift toward more aggressive and erratic German foreign policy.

Wilhelm II initiated a massive naval expansion program, challenging British naval supremacy. The Tirpitz Plan aimed to build a fleet capable of threatening the Royal Navy. This arms race strained Anglo-German relations, contributed to the formation of the Triple Entente, and heightened tensions before World War I.

Wilhelm II's support for Austria-Hungary after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand led to the outbreak of World War I. His 'blank check' assurance and mobilization orders escalated the July Crisis. The war resulted in millions of deaths, the collapse of the German Empire, and Wilhelm II's abdication.

Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia following the German Revolution of 1918. He fled to the Netherlands, where he lived in exile at Huis Doorn. His abdication ended the Hohenzollern dynasty's rule and paved the way for the Weimar Republic.