DEUTSCHES REICH in 1913 issued postcards marking the 25th anniversary of Wilhelm II as Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia. This particular postcard bears a 10 pfennig denomination without cancellation.
Wilhelm II or Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert (1859 – 1941) was the last German Emperor (Kaiser). He reigned from 15 June 1888 until his abdication on 9 November 1918 shortly before Germany's defeat in World War I.
For most of his life before becoming emperor, he was second in line to succeed his grandfather Wilhelm I on the German and Prussian thrones after his father, Crown Prince Frederick. His grandfather and father both died in 1888, the 'Year of Three Emperors', making Wilhelm emperor and king. A few years later, in 1890, he dismissed the country's longtime Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck.
Upon consolidating power as emperor, Wilhelm launched Germany on a bellicose 'New Course' to cement its status as a world power. However, he frequently undermined this aim by making tactless, alarming public statements without consulting his ministers. He also did much to alienate his country from the other Great Powers (most notably Britain and France) by initiating a massive build-up of the German Navy, challenging French control over Morocco, and backing the Austrian annexation of Bosnia in 1908. His turbulent reign ultimately culminated in his guarantee of military support to Austria-Hungary during the crisis of July 1914, resulting in the outbreak of World War I.
A lax wartime leader, he left virtually all decision-making regarding military strategy and organisation of the war effort in the hands of the German General Staff. This broad delegation of authority gave rise to a de facto military dictatorship whose belligerent foreign policy led to the United States' entry into the war on 6 April 1917. After losing the support of the German military and his subjects in November 1918, Wilhelm abdicated and fled to the Netherlands, where he died in 1941.
For most of his life before becoming emperor, he was second in line to succeed his grandfather Wilhelm I on the German and Prussian thrones after his father, Crown Prince Frederick. His grandfather and father both died in 1888, the 'Year of Three Emperors', making Wilhelm emperor and king. A few years later, in 1890, he dismissed the country's longtime Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck.
Upon consolidating power as emperor, Wilhelm launched Germany on a bellicose 'New Course' to cement its status as a world power. However, he frequently undermined this aim by making tactless, alarming public statements without consulting his ministers. He also did much to alienate his country from the other Great Powers (most notably Britain and France) by initiating a massive build-up of the German Navy, challenging French control over Morocco, and backing the Austrian annexation of Bosnia in 1908. His turbulent reign ultimately culminated in his guarantee of military support to Austria-Hungary during the crisis of July 1914, resulting in the outbreak of World War I.
A lax wartime leader, he left virtually all decision-making regarding military strategy and organisation of the war effort in the hands of the German General Staff. This broad delegation of authority gave rise to a de facto military dictatorship whose belligerent foreign policy led to the United States' entry into the war on 6 April 1917. After losing the support of the German military and his subjects in November 1918, Wilhelm abdicated and fled to the Netherlands, where he died in 1941.
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