Wilhelm II, German Emperor

Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859-1941) was Kaiser of Germany from 1888 to 1941. He sacked his Chancellor, the great Otto von Bismarck, shortly after coming to power.

When Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914, Wilhelm promised to support Austria-Hungary in any action it might take against Serbia. When Russia went to war with Austria-Hungary, Wilhelm II honored the Central Powers alliance and the Great War began. Wilhelm led his country to victory in that war.

Wilhelm died in June 1941 and was succeeded by Wilhelm III. The Entente took advantage of his death to launch a coordinated attack on Germany, beginning the Second Great War.