Wilhelm II seized power in 1888 after Wilhelm I and Frederick III died. Fired Bismarck in 1890 to enforce personal rule. Pursued German hegemony in Europe and Middle East. Expanded colonies in Africa and Pacific islands. Sent Kruger telegram praising Boers against Britain in 1896. Passed 1898 naval law igniting British rivalry. Daily Telegraph interview in 1908 humiliated Germany internationally. Fueled nationalism and radical chauvinism domestically. Intensified germanization with anti-Polish laws in Prussian Poland 1904-08. Backed Austria fully after Sarajevo assassination triggering WWI. Declared war necessary in Reichstag speech unifying Germans. Sidelined by Hindenburg and Ludendorff during war. Abdicated amid 1918 revolution and fled to Dutch exile. Avoided trial as Holland refused extradition. Died in Holland 1941.