Showoffs are more tolerable to read about than be around, and history buffs will certainly enjoy this new biography of the ruler who, as kaiser bill, american doughboys went off to fight in world war i. The kaiser wilhelm institute for anthropology, human heredity. This book surveys the history of kaiser wilhelm institutes under hitler, illustrating definitively the cooperation, if not collaboration, between scientists and national socialists in order to further the goals of autarky, racial hygiene, war, and genocide. Always wondered what became of the last kaiser of germany. Aug 22, 20 the kaisers memoirs contents bismarck caprivi hohenlohe bulow bethmann my coworkers in the administration science and art my relations with the church army and navy the outbreak of war the pope and peace end of the war and my abdication the enemy tribunal and the neutral tribunal the question of guilt. Kaiser stein in collectible german lidded steins for sale ebay. The life and legacy of germany s emperor during world war i examines the life of one of the 20th centurys most important rulers, and the debates over his legacy.
Many historians consider wilhelm the individual most responsible for the outbreak of war in 1914. I was surprised that the options for biographies of the kaiser are either triplevolume tomes, or slim 200 pagers. This book was a good summary of wilhelm s life and his complex feelings and relationships with almost everyone around him. Wilhelm ii or william ii was the last german emperor kaiser and king of prussia. That would be germany s kaiser wilhelm ii, engagingly played by the veteran christopher plummer. The book provides an exceptional, straight forward account that is easy to read and understand.
Here, denise tubbs starts her look at why germany got much of the blame for world war i. Topham will give an intimate view of wilhelm of germany. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about germany s most famous kaiser like you never have before. Mar 22, 2017 william formally agreed to be the emperor of germany on 18 december 1870, with a select group reichstag members as witnesses. January 26, 1859 berlin, prussia now germany june 4, 1941 doorn, the netherlands. King of prussia and german emperor from 1888 to the collapse of germany. He gained a reputation as a swaggering militarist through his speeches and illadvised newspaper interviews. After an original character sketch of the kaiser, the book. Modern in his appreciation of the power of the media, hungry for publicity and adulation, he was constantly in the news, whether celebrating with his royal english and russian cousins or inaugurating local railroad stations and monuments. The extraordinary family story of george v, wilhelm ii, and nicholas ii. It is not by his will that he will ujnleash a war, but by his weakness, said king edward vii about his vacillating weakminded nephew. Exception breaks no new ground but it is a solidly done and always engrossing piece of.
Downeygetty images left and center and hulton archivegetty images. This collection of innovative essays examining the role of wilhelm ii in imperial germany was first published in 2003, particularly on the later years of the monarchs reign. A pettish little emperor images kaiser wilhem ii in punch, 18881901. Wilhelm ii 18591941, the german kaiser emperor and king of prussia from 1888 to 1918, was one of the most recognizable public figures of world war i 191418.
Wilhelm i, but had, in fact, established a kind of caesaristic rule for himself. The german emperor, wilhelm i, watched as his grandson, guided principally by. After an original character sketch of the kaiser, the book then. A little less than three weeks later, on 18 january, the king of prussia became kaiser wilhelm as well. Kaisers memoirs wilhelm ii emperor germany 1888 1918 abebooks. It has been a full century since the abdication of the last emperor of germany, kaiser wilhelm ii, but the wouldbe heir to his throne is still known as a prince. Jan 10, 2016 documentary on kaiser wilhelm ii of germany. This chapter deals with one of the perennial favourite characters of british cartooning in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Jan 14, 2008 from its founding in 1927 until its dissolution in 1945, the kaiser wilhelm institute for anthropology, human genetics, and eugenics kwia in berlindahlem transgressed many a boundary. Kaiser wilhelm ii, or william ii 18591941 was the last german emperor and king.
The book is a concise biography of kaiser wilhelm ii, the last emperor of germany. William formally agreed to be the emperor of germany on 18 december 1870, with a select group reichstag members as witnesses. Using new archival sources, this book analyzes the kaiser and the nature of his rule. He reigned from 15 june 1888 until his abdication on 9 november 1918 shortly before germanys defeat in world war i.
Why was there no one to help him steer a less disastrous course. If things continue this way, he will finish out his term and then the nation, like someone. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Following kaiser wilhelm s political career from his youth at the hohenzollern court through the turbulent peacetime decades of the wilhelmine era into global war and exile, the book presents a new interpretation of this controversial monarch and assesses the impact on germany. Kaiser wilhelm ii, queen victorias eldest grandchild, took over the running of the powerful german reich from bismarck and within a couple of decades had led it into world war and collapse. Germanys last emperor has 1 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. William i, german in full wilhelm friedrich ludwig, born march 22, 1797, berlindied march 9, 1888, berlin, german emperor from 1871, as well as king of prussia from 1861, a sovereign whose conscientiousness and selfrestraint fitted him for collaboration with stronger statesmen in raising his monarchy and the house of hohenzollern to predominance in germany. It sheds new light on the kaiser s troubled youth, his involvement in social and political scandals, and his role in foreign policy decisions that led to the outbreak of the first world war. It just seems odd to me that there are so few biographies of the man who ruled germany during wwi. Germany s last emperor and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Kaiser wilhelm ii to german troops leaving for the front at the start of world war i. Frederick william victor albert 27 january 1859 4 june 1941 was the last german emperor kaiser and king of prussia, ruling the german empire and the kingdom of prussia from 15 june 1888 to 9 november 1918. Dec 01, 2014 kaiser wilhelm ii 18591941, germany s last emperor, was born in potsdam in 1859, the son of frederick iii.
This book examines the role of germany s last emperor, wilhelm ii, focusing on the final years of his reign 1900 1918. Nov 17, 2019 germany is often blamed for causing world war i and the 1919 treaty of versailles led to the country needing to pay large reparations to the winners. I would have enjoyed the book more if rohl lifted his focus from kaiser wilhelm ii to have short explanations of 19th century history. When the question of legal and moral culpability is raised as it was in the case of the kaiser by the allies and parts of the german public. Kaiser wilhelm ii is one of the key figures in the history of twentiethcentury europe. King wilhelm i of prussia, first ruler of a unified germany. King of prussia, german emperor, war leader and defeated exile, kaiser wilhelm ii was one of the most important and most controversial figures in the history of twentiethcentury europe.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a. Kaiser friedrich wilhelm ii, who occupied the throne of the german empire for more than 30 years from june 1888november 1918, remains includes pictures. The book covers the period from the birth of kaiser william ii in 1859 to the period just after. Why did germany get the blame at the end of world war one. Even so he used jewish ministers and appreciated some jews as individuals. Kaiser wilhelm ii was the monarchical ruler of germany, occupying the throne from june 1888 until his abdication at the end of world war i. Kaiser wilhelm ii was born in potsdam, germany, on january 27, 1859, the son of prince frederick wilhelm of prussia 183188 and princess victoria 18401901, the oldest daughter of queen. This is a great summary of germany s last emperor who was generally credited for being the cause of the first world war. Kaisers memoirs wilhelm ii emperor germany 1888 1918. Czar nicholas ii of russia, king george v of britain and kaiser wilhelm ii of germany.
A new perspective on kaiser wilhelm ii of germany published by user, 17 years ago giles macdonogh gives a fine, often thoughtful, account of the life of the last german emperor, kaiser wilhelm ii, whom the author refers repeatedly as william. It was said of both teddy roosevelt and kaiser wilhelm ii that each wanted to be the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral. German exemperor wilhelm ii, became emperor and king of. The new constitution of germany and wilhelms imperial title officially took effect on 1 january 1871. He had also ordered the commanding general of berlin in two separate telegrams to fire on the people. His planned invasion was supposed to force the us to bargain from a weak position and to sever its growing economic and political connections in the pacific ocean, the caribbean and south america. This book analyses these crucial questions with the help of a wealth of new archival sources. King of prussia, german emperor, war leader and defeated exile, kaiser wilhelm ii was one of the most important and most controversial figures in the. Kaiser wilhelm ii abdicated as german emperor and king of prussia in november 1918. The new constitution of germany and wilhelm s imperial title officially took effect on 1 january 1871.
The abdication was announced on 9 november by prince maximilian of baden and was formally enacted by wilhelm s written statement on 28 november, made while in exile in amerongen, the netherlands. From an early age he had surrounded himself with racial theorists who were also antisemitic. One of the few things that kaiser wilhelm ii, who ruled germany from 1888 to 1918, had a talent for was causing outrage. In this book the innocence of kaiser wilhelm ii i hope i have succeeded in portraying him in far fairer light. The book was published by the new york times company and includes. Germany s last emperor has 1 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. The life and legacy of germanys emperor during world war i examines the life of one of the 20th centurys most important rulers, and the debates over his legacy. The rapid transitions between the dignified monarchy of wilhelm i, to the brief, tragic reign of friedrich, followed by the accession of the much younger wilhelm ii, produced a wide variety of reactions from cartoonists of the comic weeklies. Journal of contemporary history sage, london, newbury park and new delhi.
Wilhelm iis most popular book is the kaisers memoirs. He intended not to conquer the us but only to reduce the countrys influence. For over a century, the middle east has weathered seemingly endless conflicts, ensnaring political players from around the world. During world war 1 the germans had been allied with ottoman turkey. Ybarra wilhelm and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Fischers first book on germanys drive for world power. And perhaps no nation has displayed a greater range of policies toward, and experiences in, the region than germany, as this short and accessible volume demonstrates. King of prussia and german emperor from 1888 to the collapse of germany in 1918 and a. Wilhelm took control of foreign and military policy with a bellicose new course. In 1904, the indigenous herero people of german south west africa now namibia rebelled against their german occupiers. An official portrait of kaiser wilhelm ii in his robes of state. In the following four years, the german army retaliated, killing between 60,000 and 100,000 herero people, one of the worst atrocities ever. Science and modernization in imperial germany ebook written by jeffrey allan johnson.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Kaiser wilhelm served as emperor of germany from 1888 until the end of world war i. It was england not germany who started the first world war. Buy products related to kaiser wilhelm i english products and see what customers. Imperial german plans for the invasion of the united states. Kaiser wilhelm ii the german emperor who loved islam.
Kaiser wilhelm ii the last german emperor i who did what in. May 01, 2017 the greatest achievement of donald trumps first 100 days as president was that there was a 101st. He reigned from 15 june 1888 until his abdication on 9 november 1918 shortly before germany s defeat in world war i as the eldest grandchild of queen victoria, wilhelm s first cousins included king george v of the united kingdom and many. The kaiser wilhelm society under national socialism by. This book comes at a time when more of the conventional wisdom about the period. The essays highlight wilhelm s importance from a number of different angles, such as domestic and foreign policy, and public opinion. The kaisers memoirs by kaiser wilhelm ii nook book ebook.
The book sheds new light on wilhelms troubled youth, his involvement in social. A life in power is a short, fascinating and accessible biography of one of the 20th centurys most important figures. Of peculiar timeliness, therefore, will be a volume soon due from dodd, mead co. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the kaisers chemists. At the end of world war i, the german government proclaimed his abdication on. In postwar germany, the diagnosis could thus be used to counter demands for wilhelms return to germany and to open the political stage for new actors. A new look at imperial germanys last emperor, wilhelm ii 18591941. Germanys last emperor and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. A particular specialty was insulting other monarchs.
King of prussia and german emperor from 1888 to the collapse of germany in 1918 and a crucial player in the events that led to the outbreak of world war i. A wellresearched, wellwritten look at a period of history extensively covered in other works, king, kaiser, tsar is a story told through a tight frame of reference on the three, closely entwined, royal families of great britain, germany and russia. Christopher plummer is an uncanny kaiser wilhelm ii in the. The history of the herero genocide remains a key issue for many around the world partly because the german policy not to pay. This letter is recorded in a book titled the kaiser s memoirs. Jun 06, 2018 one of the few things that kaiser wilhelm ii, who ruled germany from 1888 to 1918, had a talent for was causing outrage. For thirty years, from 1888 to 1918, wilhelm ii led germany as its kaiser, or emperor, until he was forced to abdicate resign from the throne and go into exile after germany s defeat in world war i. In 1888 old kaiser wilhelm i died to be replaced by frederick who also died that year succumbing to throat cancer. Kaiser wilhelm ii 18591941 is one of the most fascinating figures in european history, ruling imperial germany from his accession in 1888 to his enforced abdication in 1918 at the end of the first world war.