Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859-1941), Germany's last emperor, was born in Potsdam in 1859, the son of Frederick III. and Victoria, daughter of Queen Victoria. Wilhelm became emperor of Germany in 1888 following the death of Frederick II. During his rule, Germany's relations with Britain, France and Russia became strained. His behaviour and the "blanc cheque" for Austria-Hungary are seen as important factors for the outbreak of World War 1 after the July Crisis.

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