The Kaiser: New Research on Wilhelm II's Role in Imperial Germany

by Annika Mombauer, Wilhelm Deist

Overview

Focusing on the final years of his reign (1900-1918), this collection of essays examines the role of Germany's last emperor, Wilhelm II, by highlighting his importance from different perspectives: domestic and foreign policy, and public opinion. It is based on the latest research on Wilhelmine Germany, as well as new archival evidence, and thus presents the most up-to-date interpretation of the monarch. The volume also pays tribute to Professor John Röhl, Wilhelm II's most famous biographer, on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521824088
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/17/2003
Pages:	316
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.87(d)

About the Author

Annika Mombauer is Lecturer in European History, The Open University.

Wilhelm Deist is Honorary Professor in the History Department, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany.

Table of Contents

Notes on contributors; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Introduction Annika Mombauer and Wilhelm Deist; Reflections on John Röhl: a laudatio Jonathan Steinberg; 1. Wilhelm II and 'his' navy, 1888–1918 Michael Epkenhans; 2. Hollow-sounding jubilees: forms and effects of public self-display in Wilhelmine Germany Bernd Sösemann; 3. The Kaiser's elite? Wilhelm II and the Berlin administration 1890–1914 Katherine A. Lerman; 4. Wilhelm, Waldersee and the Boxer rebellion Annika Mombauer; 5. Dreams of a German Europe: Wilhelm II and the Treaty of Björkö of 1905 Roderick R. McLean; 6. The uses of 'friendship'. The 'personal regime' of Wilhelm II and Theodore Roosevelt, 1901–1909 Ragnhild Fiebig-von Hase; 7. Military diplomacy in a military monarchy? Wilhelm II and his relations with British service attachés in Berlin, 1903–1914 Matthew Seligmann; 8. Wilhelm II as supreme warlord in the First World War Holger Afflerbach; 9. Germany's 'last card'. Wilhelm II and the decision in favour of unrestricted submarine warfare in January 1917 Matthew Stibbe; 10. Military culture, Wilhelm II, and the end of the monarchy in the First World War Isabel V. Hull; 11. Rathenau, Wilhelm II, and the perception of Wilhelminismus Hartmut Pogge von Strandmann; 12. Structure and agency in Wilhelmine Germany: the history of the German Empire - past, present and future Volker R. Berghahn; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...this book has much to offer." Military Review, David J. Schepp

"This unfortunate monarch, however ultimately bankrupt her may have been, deserves the enlightening scrutiny this book provides, to say nothing of the assiduous, magisterial biography now being brought toward conclusion by the man whom it worthily honors." - Lamar Cecil, Washington and Lee University

From the Publisher