ABSTRACT
In March 1888, the nonagenarian Emperor of Germany, Wilhelm I, died. His son and successor, Friedrich III, * was already mortally ill, and followed his father to the grave three months later. Friedrich's successor was his own son, Wilhelm II: a highly ambitious young man, with a strong sense of his own importance; clever rather than wise, and much given to the idea of cutting a great figure in international affairs. Wilhelm's flamboyant attitudes and speeches caused grave apprehensions in many places, including Britain.
