Kaiser Wilhelm II: The Last German Emperor
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- Опубліковано 14 тра 2024
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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Steve Theunissen
Video Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris
Business inquiries to biographics.email@gmail.com
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Source/Further reading:
Kaiser Wilhelm II: Germany’s Last Emperor by John Van Der Kiste
Wilhelm II: Prince and Emperor by Lamar Cecil
• Wilhelm II of Germany
I'm surprised you didn't discuss Wilhelm's relationship with his mother more. Letters between Princess Victoria and Queen Victoria show how Princess Victoria was repulsed by Wilhelm's disability and emotionally rejected him. After years of forcing her son to go through pointless "treatments" to cure his arm, she distanced herself and privately called him a cripple. I think his mother' lack of affection damaged him more than the arm itself.
Such and underrated comment... Congrats, I liked it anyways!
There was also the time he “fell” in a fountain while she was right there. Had it not been fore quick guards he would’ve drowned
Wow, that's sad really.
I'm suprised also which is very relevant
Exactly :(
"Congratulations, you've won by using my troops"
Wilhelm II would've been a shitposter if he existed today
I love it.
Shliefen was not Motke's uncle. That was Motke the Elder who distinguished himself in the Franco German was back in 1871
@@eleanorkett1129 *Schlieffen. *Moltke. But yeah, you're right.
What a beast
Dieses scheiß poster Wilhelm!
"A Nation is created by Families, Religion and Tradition"
"it is made out of the heart of an mother, the wisdom of an father, and the joy of an child"
-Kaiser Wilhelm II
That is why he is one of my favorite monarchs he was so unique
Given his childhood is his saying thats a bad combination
These values are especially at risk today
@@arditl89 gone...
I read that recently. He was writing this while denouncing Hitler.
That moment when you realize that the entiety of WWI was one big family feud
yep
Actually, many conflicts throughout Europe (and for that matter, the whole world) from the middle ages up to the early twentieth century were essentially wars between royal houses. They fought over issues such as succession, honour and family feuds. That was one of the principle reasons why republics became increasingly popular around that time.
Nice
Nice
@@greenhillburma Yea man. Look at how many.civil wars happened in Rome from family and friends having civil wars for power. Macedon aswell, after Alexander the wars of the diadochi. It's crazy how the common man, people not of royal descent. Always suffer because of the upper echelons battling
Wilhem wakes up after being dead: is the monarchy back?
No?
Wilhem goes back to being dead
Bruh
.....
What you failed to mention was Wilhelm deeply loved his grandmother, Queen Victoria. He was with her when she died, insisted that no hands but his handled her corpse, and requested the flag that draped her coffin.
Wilhelm and Victoria’s relationship was once of the strongest of his extended family. His Uncle and Danish aunt despised him, his cousin George was brainwashed by his Father and Mother (the uncle and Danish aunt who despised him) heck when Victoria was dying the rest of his family tried to keep him out. It was thanks to her doctor and him pleading with his uncle to allow him in. For all her remaining life she favored Wilhelm over her other grandchildren even over her own son who she despised.
@@soundwavegamer2321 Victoria did not "despise" her own son though there were many times she felt he let the side down. There were many times she felt her eldest grandchild Willy behaved badly too - he was certainly not the favoured one at all.
@@zzzbbbooo except she blamed him for her beloved husband death and actively kept him out of the court of England.
@@soundwavegamer2321 Her Brother in Law, was illuminati. Victoria, was running people. She invited Murad the V over from Ottoman emprie, and he eventaully became a freemason. He went Crazy and got deposed by his brother, so Victoria needed another way to get Ottoman empire. So She used Wilheim, as controlled opposition. She was literally surrounded by Freemasons, her father, two uncles and two sons were all Freemasons. So how could Wilheim be so close, without taking part in Freemason, schemes. The guy even married Victorias Niece. How can a nationalist, who is claimed to reject the victorian way, cling so close to victoria, in his grandmother, and his wife, whose one of her names is victoria.
Yet when France was annexing Morocco, even though they claimed they never would, no one bats an eye.
Read up on it, the Kaiser actually tried protecting Morocco's independence, but France made up an excuse to send troops in forcefully.
Was Kaiser Wilhelm II perfect? Hell no, but he made some really positive changes in the beginning. For example, when he first came into power, Bismarck in his older age (he had done a lot for Prussia, so he gets so much passes) tried to quell a workers' strike by sending in the army, using force and killing if possible. Wilhelm stopped that motion and instead tried to negotiate with the workers. Just an example, but a rather good one, I think.
Belgium does shady stuff in the Congo, exploiting the colonies inhabitants, and it's somewhat covered. Kaiser Wilhelm does his famous "Attila The Hun" speech regarding colonial inhabitants, the whole world goes up in out roar.
I think there's always been a HUGE bias against Germany in it's infancy. Just for uniting, Britain and France basically despise Germany, because they didn't mind it as a battleground to keep the fighting away from them. Yeah the Arms Race happened with the Navy, but there's no explicit rule from God himself saying "Only Britain should be allowed to rule the seas, anyone who challenges them is evil just for doing so".
But then again, there's people out there who think "WaIt, ThErE's A fIrSt AnD SeCoNd ReIcH? i ThOuGhT tHeRe WaS oNlY a ThIrD rEiCh!!! ThEy MuSt Be NaZiS tOo!!!!"
Douglas Weiss Yeah the Agadir crisis, the brits imo are so full of themselves that they cannot let a nation that has never been unified to unify.
@@Jg-jg6jb I can't believe they felt threatened, how many times have they been successfully invaded since the Norm Invasion?
Plus the marriage to Friederich Wilhelm III should've been a good indicator, but even he was criticized for being sharp i the military. Meanwhile the British wield their navy like a club, hypocrites.
Douglas Weiss Yeah And How the Belgium intervention was just so Britain Could stay relevant for few years still even thought the Germans did some executions in Belgium its still not the same amount as Britain, France And Belgium did in Africa And i bet not many people even know those happened.
yeah to be honest .... while I like history and reading up on it and stuff I don't really care either way but it's somewhat odd.
Imagine today a world leader arguing against european occupation of an african nation and then the press labelling him an idiot or even saying he was in the 'wrong'.
Ari33sa compared to England and Frances long history of mass killing of people all over the planet the German empire was hardly bad at all
I was a good Boy tho...
You were the best
Wilhelm II sup fourth cousin
Same Was I good
@@kaiserwilhelmi2750
You were also amazing, Mein Kaiser
Yes you were a good boy my future Kaiser.
Not a single mention Wilhelm was cousin of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in first degree!! That’s not a minor omission
Nor of George V
He was a cousin of Nicholas. But he wasn’t a first cousin; they don’t share any grandparents.
@@johnhs481992 ,Queen Victoria was the common grandparent of all three of them
@@mazadancoseben4818 Nicholas's father was Tsar Alexander III,. Alexander III of Russia was the son of Alexander II, and Marie of Hesse and by Rhine.
Nicholas's mother was born Dagmar of Denmark. Dagmar's parents were Christian IX of Denmark, and Louise of Hesse_Kassel.
@@mazadancoseben4818 she wasn't Czar Nicholas' grandmother..
17:25 "When Hitler found out about it, he was 'fuhrious'. And had the general fired".
Brilliant...
The horrific "cure treatments" he was forced to endure as a very young child would make a monster of anyone.
Not really. For example the lancet has published a paper that shows that for example children that are abused when they grow up are contrary to popular opinion, less likely to be abusers themselves than general population.
@@gordonlawrence4749
Not according to my developmental psychology textbook.
Gordon Lawrence
That is utter nonsense. Where did you read that?
Ethan Marley says the one who didn’t endure what he had
@Morgan Rogue: That was my whole point. Text books are very often in medical circles up to 25 years behind the research. At Harvard Medical School the very first lecture used to include the line "20 years from now half of what you have been taught will be considered to be wrong - we just don't know which half". When was your text book written and what peer reviewed medical journal articles did it refer to as proof?
Kaiser Wilhelm's love for the navy wasnt mainly because he "liked big ships"!
Look at a map... Now look at Germany and it's access to the oceans. And then think, where most goods are being transported... The unrestrictable acess to the oceans were crucial for Germany, to participate in world trade and to become a super power, which was the intend of our last emperor.
The main reason why was because he went touring the British Navy with his cousin, the English King and was inspired by it
Sum Guy German a dead language? Right. Germany is one of the worlds superpowers and have alot of influence in world politics. It is great that english has become a world language so that people from different countries can communicate and befriend one another but that does not mean other languages are useless
@Wolfgang H Germany a superpower? HA! .. and they say that German's don't have a sense of humour.
@@Battle_One Please don't be so jealous of Germany.
Sharjil Jafri No problemo
Wilhelm had a horse that was so well-trained that anyone else who rode it said that it was more like a machine than an animal. He had a special knife/fork mechanism that could be used with one hand. He also used to deliberately crush men's hands when he shook hands with them with his good hand.
That's an entire chapter of German history, that we never learned about in school.
The history classes I had were about 90% 3rd Reich, and the rest covered the French revolution, or other things more or less unrelated to our own history...
You should learn history of germany from the formation of Holy Roman Empire
@@kienboy9999 I know we SHOULD, but we just don't - that's exactly what I was complaining about
@@Shadow81989 I wish I had some german blood in my body. You germans are so brave and intelligent.
I worried if you german feel ashamed about what your country had done in the world wars. Well all powers were ambitious. So be proud and grateful to your previous generation who laid their lives against almost the whole world for your national interests.
@@Shadow81989 dont know where you went to school but at my school we definitely learned about this. 11th/12th grade.
@@kienboy9999 Well... I have german blood in my body and I'm lazy and stupid as hell.
Maybe because I'm brazilian thou
I get the impression that Wilhelm was actually a good dude but because he lost he became a demon. RIP my boy.
Gabbit, that would be, in my opinion, a fair assessment.
Unlike other biographical video, this one is very poor. Basically a warm-up of allied First War Propaganda. There is no proof at all, that the Kaiser pushed the idea, German navy should become stronger than the British Navy. Well, I understand :
It's a crime to challenge Anglo-Saxon dominance.
more like ok dude. and someone had to pay the crippling reparations and it wasnt going to be austria or turkey.
not the only time that's happened
@@rudolfkraffzick642 oh, so engaging in an arms race isn’t trying to challenge supremacy?
My great grandfather was a spy for the Kaiser and kept a photograph of them together. He was an Inuit that had immigrated to the Alps. He was assign to Russia and at one point was caught then escaped. He married a Serbian woman (her family hid him from the kossacks) and immigrated to the US before WWI.
So, if anyone finds photos of Inuit man in their Kaiser Wilhelm searches our family would be grateful. I had always pictured him as a James Bond, but I fear he was probably a novelty of the court.
What an interesting story. Thank you for that. I have a photo of Wilhelm. My great grandfather was in the Prussian army.
I am always surprised, yet never shocked, at Woodrow Wilson's ability to choose the worst possible outcome for the world at every opportunity.
0:40 - Chapter 1 - The troubled child
3:50 - Chapter 2 - A military man
5:35 - Chapter 3 - Becoming Kaiser
7:00 - Chapter 4 - Alienating nations
8:45 - Chapter 5 - Building alliances
10:20 - Chapter 6 - The road to war
13:10 - Chapter 7 - Abdication
14:45 - Chapter 8 - Life in exile
15:50 - Chapter 9 - Rise of the nazis
17:35 - Chapter 10 - Death of a kaiser
Thank you
Thanks,
The Von Schlieffen plan actually worked brilliantly, and would have likely been a total success if the generals on the ground hadn't diverted from the plan. Seeing as ultimately Russia was forced into armistice, the Kaiser came amazingly close to winning WWI
Kaiset for duh winnnnnn
Hm who is that handsome on the thumbnail
You're better than Hitler
This comment thread is amazing
Du bist der einzige rechtmäßige Erbe Deutschlands!
Still kicking eh?
Mein Kaiser I will make him to put a better picture
Please do Otto von Bismarck aswell!
Soonish...
Biographics - Bismarck, North Dakota, USA was named after Otto in the 1880’s I believe. Prove me wrong. 😀😀😀
Beat me to it
@@Biographics you tease!
@@Biographics Bismarck certainly deserves a video, as someone who unified a nation which today is a powerhouse. You know what other similar person deserves a video? Garibaldi
I never understood why they blamed Wilhelm for the war. Although yes he had an issue, Austria, Russia and others are just as Responsible if not more than Wilhelm. He kept his word like the others. Unfortunately.
I mean the serbian government killed his friend i so yeah its not his fault
Because history is written by the winners, and blaming it all (or most of it) on Whilhelm allowed the winners to avoid talking about their own mistakes and responsabilities.
@@walkerdaw6its not even germany that started ww1 but austria
@@Kaiservondonau agree
Imagine. Fighting against first cousins. Even stranger was how these royal male grandchildren of Queen Victoria looked alike.
It's the beards. I can't tell Edward and Nicholas apart at all.
Nicholas was not a grandchild of Queen Victoria. His wife was her granddaughter.
This is one of the few times I will have a negative comment. This is chock full of propaganda. While he wasn't a saint and a lot of what is attributed to him is earned, the picture of all out war monger and bloodthirsty villain whose aims led to the great war is a picture painted by those who defeated him. That should always be remembered. Good video though. I hope I am not coming off as a dick. I really don't mean too
What is missing in the biographic?
All he wanted is what the European super powers already had, an empire! The European super powers hated this as that would be infringing on their empires thus they despised him! It's no different to America today stopping other countries from having nukes whilst refusing to decommission theirs, it's outright hypocrisy!
@@tmaniable I would start with the fact the Jamison raid was a war crime and the British were behind it. I might also point out that the doctor who both over anaesthesiased his mother so she was unconscious during the birth and then wrecked his arm left him for dead just happened to be English. I might also point out that the team of doctors that botched his father's surgery were also British. Never mind the electro shock treatment or the strapping of a freshly killed rabbit to his withered arm on Fridays when he was a little boy. Or that his grandmother died in his arms not those of one of her English grandchildren. Just a couple of things off the top of my head.
@@relyvantwins5497 The Boxers weren't taking prisoners either. I don't think any of the Imperial powers involved were particularly sympathetic to the Boxers.
@@johnkilmartin5101 The Chinese people involved in that were reacting to a situation where they had been discriminated against internationally for decades. The imperial powers feared and were disgusted by the "yellow peril" long before the boxers came around. That just gave them an excuse to openly commit atrocities.
I've read that before Wihelm II and Admiral Tirpitz began building up the German Navy, Wilhelm: who, because of his family connection had been made an honorary Admiral in the British Royal Navy, used to mail the British Admiralty suggestions to improve their ships, their port facilities and the British Royal Navy in general. He wrote that the happiest time of his life had been when he visited Portsmouth, UK and could watch the ships of the Royal Navy enter the port. A really strange man.
He actually tried to stop ww1 form breaking out, I think he was a good guy and that they shouldn't have removed him, when they did that, things got worse.
Thank you
Churchill (who history is showing to be truly evil) said as much.
this is fake he's not a good guy he wanted the same thing as Hitler german domination
@@official_9101 then If he wanted that why did he fire Otto Von Bismarck? He wouldn’t have done that then
@@carolus4992 um because he was an old man and otto had different ideas then him and he was an ego maniac, Wilhelm the maniac
Many years ago, I had an older friend, now long deceased. He could recall the outbreak of WWI. He particularly recalled going around the house removing photographs of his father sailing with Kaiser Bill. Apparently, he was quite a sailor.
Don't mind me asking, but how old are you?
@@NikoBellic04 70. The "friend" I mentioned was in his 70's when I was in my 20's.
@@warringtonfaust1088
Neat
@@NikoBellic04 I think the connection was made in Newport, RI. My friend's (Thomas Clark Howard) father sailed out of there and in those days, it was a frequent port of call for foreign dignitaries. Historical tid bit. His father had a "100 footer" built so he could join the New York Yacht Club. Before it was completed, they raised the limit to 110 feet, "to keep out the riff raff"
My favourite Quote from him is, when he was in Exile and said: "the only good thing to come out of the Republic, are the Haribo Goldbears." (roughly translated into english by myself)
Haribo is apparently a fucking old brand!
Emperor Wilhelm 2 he is a great monarch, diplomat, general, king, emperor, politician, patriot of his country, an incredible person. Symbol of the nations.
Outstanding work guys! Love this channel! Much appreciated for all that you do for us!
"The Last German Emperor", for now.
hell yeah
@@aptonymic3014
Heil yeah?
nodinitiative Glory to the German Empire
Yes
Preußens Gloria!
"Germany's last emperor."
Me: as we record this.
Oh boy!
I have a fan fiction of leading a modern Prussia.
I would love a video on Wilhelms Father Frederick. He was very forward thinking...wished he stayed on the throne much longer!
Frederick III and Victoria were the enlightened monarchs who could have certainly made Germany a very different place. Too much smoking killed him after a reign of 99 days. My best friend is great great nephew of Wilhelm II and owns Frederick's cigarette case. Just think, if he hadn't used it so much then he may have lived long enough to help prevent the Great War, which would probably have meant that there was no 1939 - 45 war. Holding the case is really holding history in the hand.
How lucky to have Fritz's cigarette case. World history would've been much different had he lived longer.
@@mscott3918 You know it was eating to much German snatch that caused that throat cancer not the smokes. Look up how throat cancer rates are sky rocketing.
we want a video on otto von Bismark
yes
Yes, and then one on the boat too
That is how the warmongering started.
I'm sure there's a plan.
@@sonicgoo1121 Bismark always has plan !
His moustache game is off the charts
Look at Emperor Franz Joseph's whiskers...looks just like Yosemite Sam
My great great great grandfather was his personal barber.
I've might have missed a great
lucky, your great great great grandfather must have been respected by the kaiser himself
Kudos to your great great great grandfather for that T H I C C mustache
Great...
@Marduk 144p yeah man drop your discord id love to see them!
@@lampire4264 no response
The more I learn about this man's attitude and personality, the more endeared I am to him. He was the first gamer.
Thanks so much for posting this - very helpful to a home educating mum.
Simon - thank you for these videos. I'm learning so much!
I actually went to the house he last lived in. Rather nice house, great art. Also seen his grave which was in a church. I’m from The Netherlands and if you like this topic i would suggest taking the tour.
I’ve watched several UA-cam videos about WWI and had never understood much about why it started until now. Thank you!
To be honest, I Look back fondly to the time of the german empire. I really enjoy learning about That time ( im a Little history lover ).In my opinion it was one of, if not the best time for my country. Sadly many dont See it That way and here in Germany the time of the Empire is sometimes outright demonized.
Edit: sorry if my english isnt the best
Been waiting for this one for so long!
This is the one ive been waiting for! thx
Most of the time I am impressed with your attention to detail and accuracy to historical events. But I am disappointed that you did not mention "the Willy-Nicky Correspondence". The two leaders began a correspondence via telegram in 1914, it was instigated by Nicholas II and was aimed at de-escalating the situation between Russia and Germany. Nicholas was convinced that war between the two nations would be disastrous and would ultimately lead to a major war between the nations of Europe. Both spoke of mounting pressure from their military leaders and other factors they felt were beyond their control were leading to the mobilization of their troops. In one of the last telegrams sent from Nicholas to Wilhelm urged Wilhelm to bring the conflict between Austro-Hungary and Serbia the attention of the upcoming Hague conference. The result of this correspondence almost resulted in the demobilization of both German and Russian forces, but both were ultimately convinced by their generals that they were already past the point of no return.
He was not the one who declared war.according to this article
Alexa, play preußens gloria!
Alexa, das ist so traurig, spiel preußens gloria
As always great show Simon!
11:51 Helmuth von Moltke “the younger” was not the nephew of Alfred von Schlieffen. Helmuth von Moltke’s uncle was actually Helmuth von Moltke “the Elder” because they had similar names in order to distinguish between them one is known as the “Elder” while the other as the “younger.”
Your thumbnail biography of the man does not really do him Justice. First you claim that he rebelled against what he believed to be his parents favoritism of liberal British policies. If you had read any historical accounts of Prince Frederik and Princess Victoria you would have understood that they went there specifically to try to reshape the Prussian monarchy to resemble that of a monarchy favored by Albert Victoria's late husband she was herself most vocal of her distaste for most things German. She constantly compared and berated German actions against British actions and always found Germany wanting.
Bismarck played Wilhelm. His idea was to set son against parents hoping to create friction. You were correct it was his hope that she would Wilhelm ever Ascend the throne that he would then be able to control him as was evident he was not successful. Wow Wilhelm did attempt to repair some of the damage he had done he was of course I'm successful.
You lay a great deal of blame on the so-called Naval arms race. What you fail to mention is that by the early nineteen hundreds 1911, 1912 Germany had butthole acquiesced to the fact that British Naval superiority would be a fact
Upon hearing the demands placed by the austro-hungarian empire to Serbia vilhelms response was to call it a spirited note. When Serbia acquiesced to all the demands save the fact that Austria-Hungary would conduct the investigation inside Serbia proper, vilhelm noted that that dissipated all grounds for war. Vilhelm and Germany were not responsible for World War 1 that was actually count Von holtzendorff the then Austria-Hungary and foreign minister.
perhaps you should read Dreadnaught, and castles of Steel to give you a better perspective
I could not agree more with your points. This biography relied on Anglo propaganda that's been discredited for decades.
When Princess Victoria arrived in Germany after her marriage she was treated like dirt by just about everyone. Her loyalty to Frederik remained throughout her life. However, on his death the Kaiser virtually kept her a prisoner and mistrusted everything she tried to do. Albert was an idealist who tried to create a Europe free from conflict by way of inter-marriage with his children. Had it not been for Q. Victoria's doctors both Vicki and her son would have not survived childbirth and it's aftermath. Vicki did not dislike Germany per-se it was the treatment given her by the royal court and Bismarck. When Q. Victoria tried to persuade her to return to the UK she told her that, 'she was now German and her life was there.
I love these videos.
There should be consideration about Kaiser Wilhelm's involvement in the military and his deformed arm. If he wasn't a noble set for the throne he wouldn't have gotten in the military, but he was expected to be a soldier or at least look like one. Being surrounded by officers and other enlisted personnel who were in far better condition and likely to have done service. There was an interesting incident where he had an encounter with sharpshooter Annie Oakley, where he challenged her to shoot a cigarette from his mouth, which she did. I think he was doing that not to test Oakley's skills as a shooter but as a means to show that he could stand his ground when shot at, proving he could be a soldier.
In regards to former monarchs deposed after a World War, have you guys thought about doing a video about Vittorio Emanuele III? He had a pretty fascinating life being Italy’s longest reigning king and also being an avid coin collector! (His Grandfather, Vittorio Emanuele II, was also the first king of/unified Italy so that could be a cool video as well!) - Just a thought!
He resembled his Mom physically so much. So sad they were not close... Also, he married his 2nd cousin as his wife, Augusta Victoria was the daughter of his Mom's 1st cousin (their grandmothers Queen Victoria and Feodora were sisters with Feodora being the older sister)...
I would argue hating the British and the French is a perfectly natural and normal attitude to have.
You're at least half right....Haha.
The French are chain smoking Pickachu's...so darn wuvvable.
I would argue hating Clar Will is a perfectly natural and normal attitude to have.
This was very informative!
These videos are top tier my friend!
I'd love to see an episode about Konrad Adenauer!
You simply must do an episode about Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Franz Joseph’s enigmatic consort.
Evgueni Mlodik I’m a Sisi (Sissi?) fan myself. She’s quite a character, extremely tragic.
Just wait for christmas and watch Sissy 1 to 3 again :D
Elisabeth in Bavaria ❤✔👑
would love one that talks in detail about bismark as well
beautifull work btw :)
Mr Whistler is an excellent storyteller!! Love his videos and narration!
Austro-Hungarian empire declarrs war on Serbia, Russia sided with Serbia and Germany sided with the Austro-Hungarian empire... "Germany started WWI"?!
obvioulsy, and Hitler was born in Germany and we we`re Germany`s first victim. Didn`t you know? Austria is completeey innocent 😜😉
@@stephjovi,
Hitler was born in Austro-Hungary; after the dissolution of the empire, his birthplace remained with Austria. Therefore, Hitler was an Austrian.
This does not mean Austria is to be blamed. Hitler and Nazis got their start in Germany, not Austria.
@@chiensyang I was being ironic. I mean that's what we wanted the world belive. I know very well where Hitler was born I grew up close to it. We still say Braunau is brown (Braun means brown and the place is crowded with very right wing people)
@@stephjovi,
I see.
Do you think Mark was being ironic too? However, he is right about one point. Some historians are questioning whether Germany is really at fault for WW1.
yep, the old "german war guilt" myth.
Do one about Manfred Von Ritchthofen, the “Red Baron”!
You rock. Thank you for your work.
Fascinating! Cheers!
As I understood it, there was a potential loophole for Wilhelm to remain as Prussian king. Because although the imperial German constitution held that the crown was held in personal union with the regal one of Prussia, the Prussian constitution did no such thing. So in theory, the dissolution of the empire into its constituent, pre-imperial states meant that the Prussian kingdom was off the hook, so to speak. In practice, this was both impossible (because of the revolution) and undesirable) because it meant that Germany would cease to exist, and introduce further chaos into an already volatile situation.
When he found out about the cristal night, he commented "I have never been so ashamed to be German"
A Prussian even in death
Even after his atrocities in Belgium ?
@@arthurbarber7546 which atrocities?
@@max0304 Andenne, Dinant, Tamine, Louvain, and Harry Band
@@arthurbarber7546 Technically that would not be the Kaiser’s responsibility, as he was essentially reduced to the role a puppet during the war for the military.
Hey Simon :) I absolutely adore your videos and it would be amazing if you could do a video of a/ few famous Russian authors like Mikhail Bulgakov, Dostoevsky etc whose writing was very largely affected by Russian history
But Wilhelm did not start the war
No; Austria did. It's one of Austrias greatest tricks. The other was turning Hitler into a German and the 3rd was making Mozart an Austrian in return. Clever bastards, these Austrians.
@@ottovonbismarck2443 no serbia did by assassinating the franz dude
@@shawnv123 Serbia gave in to all of Austria's demands in order to avoid war. But Austria ignored Serbia's peace effort and invaded Serbia anyway. Austria actually started the war.
@@shawnv123 which was a reaction by radicalized serbian terrorists as reaction on expanding imperial policies of austria toward serbia which was not long ago in this time recognized as independent by russia.
the entire world was one big powder house waiting to light up with every minor-imperial conflict and leading to the "Great European War"
ironically the german empire (without being some saint) compared to the other greater powers had some of the least aggressive imperial foreign policies
Princess of Elizabeth of Hesse-Darmstadt was the sister of Alix of Hesse, later to become Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia, as in Nicholas and Alexandra. Simon, you are a phenomenal narrator!!
When the attempts at ending "Splendid Isolation" began, London started negotiations with all continental powers, incl. Germany.
Since no historian has ever pointed out that the intention of such talks were ultimately multi-lateral (in other words, single treaties which could form a basis for some yet unknown long-term goal of a "united Europe") we can safely assume that the intentions were bilateral only, and that there were no long-term aims at all at the "veto powers"-level of London politics.
Famously around 1900: "On the initiative of Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain, there were three rounds of British-German talks between 1898 and 1901. The British decided not to join the Triple Alliance, broke off the negotiations with Berlin, and revived the idea of a British-French alliance.[6]" (wiki)
Note how the history books often blame Germany for the failure of these talks. What London wanted was "continental armies" opposing each other, or a "continental army" for the advantage of own British Empire aims and goals. Suffice to say, Berlin recognized the nature of the counter-offers made by London.
Another reason was of course also London's intention to head off the German naval programs (see the exact timeline under the wiki entry "German Naval Laws") up for approval, by dangling the "sweet carrot" of an alliance in front of the German Reichstag. The intention was obviously to "divide" the Reichstag's "hawks" and "doves", which would then torpedo the Naval Laws...lol, pun intended...
London strangely always appeared on Berlin's doorstep, with offers of sorts, when changes to upgrade Berlin's naval laws were underway. Weird coincidence, I'm sure...
Anyways.
*Not for the first time, it was London which broke off, because London never intended, or seriously considered such a possibility which would have ended "Splendid Isolation".* Not following the year 1890, when it was also negotiated between London and Berlin, and turned down by London, and not at the turn of the century. It does not matter that there were some in London who did favor more European unity. What mattered was that the "veto powers" like Chamberlain, did not regard any unity in Europe as desirable, and would have vetoed any attempt by others to achieve it. All in combination with other lords who also enjoyed the power of the veto, in peer-controlled "top down" groups outside of the forces of democratic means (which were from the "bottom up"). No UK citizen could influence such "peer controlled" ingroups in charge of strategies, because "democracy" did not affect them. The same was true in the USA at the time BTW, in case the criticism is "the undemocratic others" on the continent of Europe. With regards to the question "who controls the strategies", all the powers were in the same boat, and it did not matter if one power was a democracy, and the other more autocratic.
Any attempt to "spin" history in efforts to point fingers elsewhere eventually falls flat, based on evidence. Overwhelming evidence, the nature of which is revealed in the many comments below.
Suffice to say: London did not want unity in Europe, and never aimed for it, because London intended to "divide and gain/impose" from the division of continental powers.
*There was never the intention (despite "kind words") for herself to be a part of any European unity, nor to tolerate any form of powerful continental European unity, should this arise somewhere.*
Any unity arising on the continent = the feared "single hegemony".
Of course anybody can launch a counter-theory stating that London's ultimate goal *was* a "United States of Europe" in some or other form. They would then just have to point to how the *first binding mutually agreed-upon treaty/alliance which was signed,* then intended to incorporate all European powers in some or other "play by ear" step-by-step approach (also two strategies).
Good luck...
*Strategies.*
Here is the reality.
As a general rule, if there is no signed deal safeguarding own interests then a nation/state must implement steps to safeguard these interests herself. As long as there was *no* understanding (treaty/alliance/accord) between London and Berlin whatsoever, Berlin would have to accept that Germany would be GB/Empire's enemy in case there was war on the continent, regardless of "who started it."
London determined its "interests" on the continent herself, based on the policy of "balanced powers", and London would oppose the winning side, not the "wrong" side. For London, the sole determining factor was *"who was winning",* and it would then join the weaker/losing side.
*In order to become London's "best fwiend", Germany would have to lose in a war on the continent, regardless of "who started it".*
A ridiculous supposition, implied by London's own policies.
Berlin simply *reacted* to a London policy standpoint, and therefore prepared for this eventuality. The danger of a naval blockade had to be countered as a contingency in case of war (see below essay regarding the "security dilemma of states").
The lords wanted it that way, so the lords got it that way.
*The "ententes" with France (1904) and Russia (1907) and the end results of long negotiations going back decades, changed nothing in regards to the above.*
"Empires" don't have "friends".
In case a war broke out on the continent, for whatever reason, or whoever "started it" (according to whatever cherry-picked "hopped on" criteria): London would still oppose the winning side, to avoid the single hegemony.
In case the winning side happened to be the own "best fwiends" France and Russia, London would join whomever opposed them...
Should the "Russian steamroller" roll into Germany, crushing Germany against "the anvil" France, it would simply join Germany against Russia and France. Others would bleed, and end up "mutually exhausted", and London would gain for "little ventured" (all strategies).
There was no binding treaty that would have avoided this.
*Who needs binding treaties, if one has the geographical advantage, guarded by the strongest navy?*
*London did not need anything from any continental power, or so they thought.*
They thought they could simply "hop around" onto any power, for the short-term gain of avoiding any one (or alliance) from gaining during times of peace, and winning during times of war.
The lords therefore never made serious offers for any alliances in times of peace, with any other power in Europe even though they should have (search for: Machiavelli/Balance of Power).
A "balance of powers" is not subjective, but an objective reality which needs to be attained.
"Friends" means nothing.
London never addressed its own collective attitude problem, which was that it wanted "junior partners" on the continent which would implement the aims and goals of Empire indirectly, and that all that was needed to ensure this was the strongest navy in the world ("Two Power Standard"). Lords with veto powers went around looking for "friends" and these "friends" were given the feeling of being equals. "Feelings" means nothing though.
Interesting in this respect were British intentions to find such perceived "equals/friends" in Sweden/Norway in 1939/40. The strategists here in Scandinavia were smarter, and knew *exactly what their "function" was to "empires" (strategies).* They therefore tactfully declined British advances in regards to "just passing through to help Finland", recognizing that "ending like Poland" was not a desirable potential future. These strategists knew what they were talking about, and the habit "empires" had of finding gullible "lightning rods" and "soft underbellies" for their own aims and goals, often leaving the chosen "best fwiend" in a state of total ruin. A little known detail tucked away in the folds of a few history books regarding how the world really works, drowned out the 99% of ancillary details...
Norway/Sweden 1939/1940 = Ukraine 2008 - 2022
The Ukraine today, "ending like Poland".
Little friends who will be encouraged and supported to fight to the last man.
*Empire and her little helpers: "Can you bring me some more popcorn and chips, dear...great show, great show..."*
End of Part 2
(This essay is not a singularity, but fits in with other comments made over the course of the past few years under this video, and must be read as a continuous thought with re. to the strategies states/empires employed, and still emplo
Great video! Now I'll watch your video on Bismarck.
Hey guys, great video and thanks for the support
Poor guy couldn't ride horses, at first. Too bad for him. But, he persevered. Good for him, back in the day.
First of all thank you for the many bio videos you are doing
If do believe that you make a mistake at 11:58 I am 99% sure Moltke the Younger, was not nephew of Schlieffen, but he was a nephew of Moltke the Elder :)
A couple of questions:
Why do you not mentions the letters he wrote to his mother? But maybe could explain some of the difficulties in his personallity
Also you do not mention the Harden-Eulenburg affair and what effect that could have to Wilhelm? Why?
Could you do a video on kaiserin Sissi? I love your video's! Keep on going 😁👍
Nothing but Archer Clips popped in my head when I saw this.
Had to watch
wow I didn't know that the Kaiser Goes to The Netherlands Thank you for the information!
My great-grandfather worked as the Kaiser's chef up until the day he died in exile (the Kaiser, not my great-grandfather)
My great grandfather was related to the kaiser his last name was Reekast and he was born in kurland prussia
Gorgeous film ,love from Germany 🇩🇪! I suggest everybody to visit Huis Doorn close to Utrecht once it is open again, lovely place ❤⚜
Great video!
You either die a villain, or live long enough for a decent redemption. Sadly it took a war to make him change his mind.
Tommy Wiseau when? ;)
O hi mark!!!
Was waiting for you to do Wilhelm II
Awesome! My suggestion was taken in!
There was an excellent historical-fiction film released in 2016 titled "The Exception," starring Christopher Plummer as the exiled Kaiser Wilhelm II, living in exile on his estate in Holland as the Nazis march in to occupy that country. The film includes a scene where Hitler sends Heinrich Himmler (superbly portrayed by Eddie Marsan) on a visit to lure the Kaiser back to Germany in order to flush out any of his monarchist supporters still lurking in Berlin. What makes this film unique is that it's probably the ONLY film ever made where Kaiser Wilhelm II is one of the good guys!
Ja Ich was ein good guy
Blame Austria-Hungary and Servia for WW1
no no we haven`t started any wars we`re victims ;) Or maybe we`re the geniuses who have pinned both wars on Germany. Because people drink Red Bull whilst watching the Terminator and say Austria is that close to Australia?
That is pretty self Serbed.
all the great powers of europe wanted war. just not the war they got.
Just a little note, it was the Jameson raid not the Jamestown raid.
Other than that, great video!
I'm from Kassel, hearing you mention my city and the "Friedrichsgymnasium" made me happy
Simon, would you do a biography on Marine Major General Smedley Darlington Butler? I feel like no one has ever really done his story justice. Especially not the Marine Corps, who for all its faults(I love the Marine Corps, don’t get me wrong), honors Marines of high decorations(Chesty Puller, Dan Daly, etc) with their stories and the histories of the battles they were in, but Maj Gen Butler who received two MoH’s has been limited, at least in the classes I’ve had, to only being known by that. It would make for an interest biographic to say the least.
I would love to see Simon cover Queen Victoria.
I love this channel!!!!!
I know this might sound super silly, but I do prefer it when you upload those podcasts to youtube. It can play in the background on the 2nd monitor while I do stuff on the main. (Yes I suppose I could go find an app for the podcast, butI'm not one to try too many new things.)
Im holding back tears
You should make a video on Rudolf Hess, Hitler's deputy who parachuted solo into the UK during WW2 to try and end the war
Excellent biographic
Interesting. Thanks Simon.
It seems that Wilhelm II: could of made a great job of writing the book how to lose friends and alienate people book
The Kaiser was maybe untempered in his ambition but his idea of a German Empire wasn’t all that different from the attitudes of the monarchs of other nations. Historians picking apart his childhood with unsubstantiatable claims about how it could have made him some kind of psychopath is a perfect example of how history is written by the winners.
He was a weird fella
@@jezalb2710 Not as strange as other European kings
Yeah, it's weird how they describe Willhelm as a psychopath when he could feel sympathy for the German workers back then.
Thats really cool someone was just talking about this thank you Simon do you thing you can do one on Chiang Kai-shek the "generalissimo"