Kaiser Wilhelm II / Christopher M. Clark.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Clark, Christopher M.

Series:

Profiles in power (London, England)

Profiles in power

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

William II, German Emperor, 1859-1941.

William.

Germany--Politics and government--1888-1918.

Germany.

Politics and government.

Germany--Kings and rulers--Biography.

Kings and rulers.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xiv, 271 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Harlow, England ; New York : Longman, 2000.

Summary:

B> "The latest book in the popular "Profiles in Power Series," Kaiser Wilhelm" provides a concise and analytical examination which covers the entire span of the Kaiser's life, including his years in exile. Wilhelm was one of the key figures in the history of twentieth century Europe as King of Prussia and German Emperor from 1888 to the collapse of Germany in 1918. . Offers an analytical study of the nature and extent of Wilhelm's political power, examines his political goals and success in achieving them, as well as, his failings as a ruler, and explores the collapse of Prussia's monarchy. Of interest to readers of German history or World War I. Hardcover 0-582-24560-5 $ 69.95

Contents:

Chapter 1 Childhood and youth 1

Power in the family 1

Wilhelm becomes a contender 7

The Kaiser's personality 18

Chapter 2 Taking power 27

Power and the constitution 27

Kaiser versus chancellor 35

Banquo's Ghost: Bismarck in 'retirement' 47

Chapter 3 Going it alone 55

The Nervous Nineties 55

Schools 59

The confessional divide 62

Army Bill, 1893 66

The failure of negative integration 68

The emperor's friends 73

Kaiser versus ministers: the Koller crisis 76

1897-1900: Wilhelm in control? 80

Conclusions: power and constraint 84

Chapter 4 Domestic politics from Bulow to Bethmann 92

'Personal rule - in the good sense'? 92

Crisis of confidence, 1905-6 99

Bulow's endgame 104

Domestic politics to 1914 109

Chapter 5 Wilhelm II and foreign policy, 1888-1911 123

'The sole master of German policy' 123

Managing the Kaiser 125

Wilhelm II and the naval idea 130

Navalism becomes policy 134

Escape routes, 1904-6 138

Isolation, 1911 144

Wilhelm's impact 147

Chapter 6 Power and publicity 160

The power of speech 160

The Daily Telegraph crisis 172

Chapter 7 From crisis to war: 1909-1914 186

Wilhelm, Austria-Hungary and the Balkans 186

War premeditated? 193

Wilhelm the warmonger? 197

July 1914 202

A word from London 212

Conclusions: Wilhelm and the outbreak of war 214

Chapter 8 War, exile, death: 1914-1941 225

Supreme warlord 225

The decision for unrestricted submarine warfare 230

The fall of Bethmann 236

Public opinion 238

Exile 245.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 262-265) and index.

ISBN:

0582245591

0582245605

OCLC:

43930130