Kaiser Wilhelm II was the last Emperor of Germany, ruling from 1888 until his abdication in 1918. He was born on January 27, 1859, and was known for his militaristic and nationalistic policies. His reign saw the expansion of the German Empire and significant industrial growth, but also increasing tensions with other European powers. Wilhelm II's leadership contributed to the outbreak of World War I, as his aggressive foreign policy and support for Austria-Hungary after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand escalated conflicts. After Germany's defeat in the war, he fled to the Netherlands, where he lived in exile until his death on June 4, 1941.