Changes

===Role in launching World War I===

===Role in launching World War I===

The collapse of the Russian army in the Russo-Japanese War of 1905 allowed Germany to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy. In the years that followed, Wilhelm repeatedly pushed Europe to the brink of war. The Bosnian crisis of 1908-1909 was followed by the Agadir crisis of 1911 and by the Balkan crisis of 1912-1913. As a constitutional monarch, Wilhelm did not take the initiative on any of these occasions. Instead, he responded to proposals put to him by his advisors.<ref name=rohl18 /> German public opinion was generally opposed to war until 1911, when Britain's intervention in the Agadir crisis fueled a wave of Anglophobia. The idea that war was inevitable became conventional wisdom and the Kaiser's reluctance began to look quaint, even to his own advisors.

The collapse of the Russian army in the Russo-Japanese War of 1905 allowed Germany to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy. In the years that followed, Wilhelm repeatedly pushed Europe to the brink of war. The Bosnian crisis of 1908-1909 was followed by the Agadir crisis of 1911 and by the Balkan crisis of 1912-1913. As a constitutional monarch, Wilhelm did not take the initiative on any of these occasions. Instead, he responded to proposals put to him by his advisors.<ref name=rohl18 /> German public opinion was generally opposed to war until 1911, when Britain's intervention in the Agadir crisis fueled a wave of Anglophobia. Many Germans felt it was hugely unfair that Britain, with its vast colonial empire, was thwarting Germany's far more modest colonial ambitions. The idea that war was inevitable became conventional wisdom and the Kaiser's reluctance began to look quaint, even to his own advisors.<ref>In response to the increasing militarism of the conservative parties, many voters switched to the anti-militarist Social Democratic Party. As a result of the 1912 Reichstag election, the party went from 43 seats to 110 (out of a total of 397). After this election, the left of center parties -- the Social Democrats, Zentrum (Center party), and the Progressives -- together constituted a majority of the parliament. So the government's position was precarious.</ref>

In November 1912, Wilhelm approved a proposal to support Austria-Hungary against Serbia even if this led to war with both France and Russia. This proposal was presented to the Kaiser jointly by Bethmann Hollweg, the chancellor; Moltke, the army chief of staff; and Kiderlen, the foreign secretary. In December, the Kaiser was informed that Britain would likely side with France in the event of such a war. The Kaiser responded by ordering a "postponement of the great fight" until the summer of 1914 so that additional preparations could be made.<ref name=rohl18 />

In November 1912, Wilhelm approved a proposal to support Austria-Hungary against Serbia even if this led to war with both France and Russia. This proposal was presented to the Kaiser jointly by Bethmann Hollweg, the chancellor; Moltke, the army chief of staff; and Kiderlen, the foreign secretary. In December, the Kaiser was informed that Britain would likely side with France in the event of such a war. The Kaiser responded by ordering a "postponement of the great fight" until the summer of 1914 so that additional preparations could be made.<ref name=rohl18 />