The Last Kaiser - Wilhelm II in Exile

Wilhelm II, who reigned from 1888 to 1918, was the last German emperor. Find out the story of how his dynasty fell and how he managed to escape to the Netherlands, where he lived in exile until his death.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

Credits: Bundesarchiv Commons, Basvb, Kasteelbeer, Wolfgang Staudt, Rictor Norton & David Allen

[toraguchitoraguchi]

They got rid of him and in 10 years they got got rid of Louis and 10 years later they got Napoleon. They got rid of the Czar and in 10 years they got Stalin.

[catherinejeffries]

They knew how to work a moustache in those days.

[varovaro]

Actually he sent a telegram congratulating Hitler when he entered Paris which after the war cost him the confiscation of his house in Doorn. The Kaiser was proud that “his generals” had finally conquered Paris.

[leary]

Definitely got off better than Niki and Alex.

[thenoobinator]

You forgot to talk about when he told hitler after the battle of France "Congratulations, you won using my troops"

[MyLateralThawts]

If the current law of succession for the British crown were in place at the time of Queen Victoria’s death, the throne would have passed to her daughter, the Princess Royal Victoria, Dowager Empress of Germany ...for about a month, until she too (as happened to her husband) succumbed to cancer. Then the crown would have passed to her child, William, AKA Wilhelm the Second of Germany.

[themightyranger]

One of my german relatives fought in ww1, he was given a medal by the kaiser!

[dickiedollop]

The Kaiser was a complex man, I wonder if Victoria had lived a bit longer wether this could have prevented the Great War, another great video Mark, thank you again.

[Herman]

The official statement has always been that Queen Wilhelmina was surprised and unhappy by her uncle Kaiser Wilhelm showing up at the German-Dutch border at Eijsden and requesting assylum in the Netherlands. Only recently historical research by Dutch professor in historical intl. relations, Beatrice de Graaf in the state archive in Berlin actually demoted this statement and unveiled that in the final days of the great war, and probably instigated by the German govt. Wilhelmina personally tried to arrange a "compromised peace" between Germany and the allies. When this failed (mainly due to opposition by the German military high command), in all secrecy arrangements were made by the Royal household to prepare the arrival of the Kaiser in The Netherlands . A later request for extradition by the allies after the war was rejected by the Dutch govt. When in Holland Wilhelm refused to renounce the thrown, Wilhelmina arranged the reunification of Wilhelm with his wife Auguste Viktoria who finally convinced him to sign the act. The Dutch royal involvement could not be made public because that would severely damage Dutch international relations. Wilhelmina never officially met her uncle during his asylum. Princess (later Queen Juliana) visited House Doorn frequently.

[slowpokebr]

Well, whatever else you can say about him, his right arm was probably strong as hell.

[thijstempel]

Interesting fact: a Dutch programme recently found out that the emperor already knew he would be granted asylum, as diplomats had been negotiating its terms over the second half of 1918.

The programme is called ‘Andere Tijden’.

[GeneralBurkhalter]

Calling all Kaiserreich fans!

Thanks for the wonderful video again, Mark. Every time I see you upload I learn something.

[sarjim]

The prohibition against members of the former royal family serving in the military is no longer in effect. Georg Friedrich, the Prince of Prussia, is now 35 and served a two year commision in the alpine troops of the German Army, and was commissioned a major in the reserves at the end of his service. He is reputed to be a top notch skier and was able to outski most others in his company. He's also an expert mountain climber and was considered to be an asset to his unit. He is also the last heir to the throne so the royal line will die with him.

[AimLikeAstra]

Wow that's interesting. We in Germany just get told at school that he simply just walked away. But this is more insightful.

[takeru]

We Japanese sent 9, 000 cherry blossom trees to Germany in 1990. It is said that the money of this cherry blossom trees is gathered by the donation of the Japanese and bought a cherry blossom trees . Almost all Japanese people participated in donations. The Japanese always cooperate with Germany.This cherry blossom tree is still in Berlin.We Japanese love Germany and Germans very much. Germany and Germans are great.
The Japanese always cooperate with Germany.We pleased to welcome Germans . Japanese and Germans are smart, diligent and serious. When making the Japanese constitution in the Meiji era, japanese made it with reference to the German constitution.The army is also German style. We invited Klemens Wilhelm Jacob Meckel, a soldier of the Kingdom of Germany, from Germany. The Japanese army became very strong thanks to him. The Japanese was very happy when he came to Japan. Because he is a great German. All thanks to Germany. Germany is a Japanese teacher. japanese also made medical science with reference to Germany. Because I admitted that Germany was the best in the world from that time. Even now the doctor has a person who writes the Karte in German.  For example, a car is.The most imported cars in Japan are German cars. Japanese Prime Minister told the Japanese Emperor that Germany and Germans absolutely can trust when we form an alliance with Germany in World War II.
Japan is always a German friend.
This is a story that Japanese people helped Germans in japanese Okinawa Miyakojima, Japan.　In 1873, the German  Merchant shipRobertoson was hit by a typhoon, ran aground off Miyakojima Miyakuni.　At that time, the islander rescues the crew, They gave some food to the Germans.They gave Germans a place to sleep. The days were 34 days.And  sent Germans back to Germany safely.There are still monuments sent from Germany in Okinawa.Japan will always help Germans from now on.There are two Germans statues at the University of Tokyo. Germans are still respected in Japan.
The Japanese were able to become strong Japan thanks to Bismarck.
Many Japanese  respect Bismarck. The first Prime Minister was called Japan's Bismarck. In my town there is a tower that prays that the Germans soul will be saved. There is no statue of Klemens Wilhelm Jacob Meckel now.

[BELCAN]

The life of his father, Kaiser Friedrich would make an interesting episode.

[deurlii]

His old estate in doorn, is now a museum. Its great if you have the chance you should go see it.

[daqt]

Mark Felton, I have enjoyed the historical topics you cover for all of my life. Everything I have heard for the last many years has been covered countless times before.
I didn’t believe there was anything new to learn, then you came along.
Your subject matter is so fresh, entertaining and exquisitely presented. Thank you so much for what you’re doing. Your videos always brighten my day and surely the same must be true for countless others as well.

[shiddy.]

a fine example of a mustache that grew an emperor behind it

[ronaldderooij]

Only in 2018, it was discovered that German diplomats negotiated the exile with Dutch diplomats as early as June 1918. Not as plan A or B, but as kind of plan C. Eventually plan C was carried out.