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Wilhelm pursued an aggressive foreign policy he called ''Weltpolitik,'' literally "world policy." The rise of the German economy inspired Germans to seek a larger "place in the sun" in terms of international affairs. ''Weltpolitik'' is to be distinguished from Bismarck's ''Realpolitik'', which emphasized the balance of power concept. Wilhelm hoped to persuade Britain to withdraw from European affairs. If he could accomplish this, he imagined that Germany's economic and military power would allow him to dominate both France and Russia and emerge with a "Napoleanic supremacy."<ref name=rohl18 />

Wilhelm pursued an aggressive foreign policy he called ''Weltpolitik,'' literally "world policy." The rise of the German economy inspired Germans to seek a larger "place in the sun" in terms of international affairs. ''Weltpolitik'' is to be distinguished from Bismarck's ''Realpolitik'', which emphasized the balance of power concept. Wilhelm hoped to persuade Britain to withdraw from European affairs. If he could accomplish this, he imagined that Germany's economic and military power would allow him to dominate both France and Russia and emerge with a "Napoleanic supremacy."<ref name=rohl18 />

The kaiser's dream of leading a continental league to one up Britain's King Edward had been sabotaged long before by Bismarck. As a result of Bismarck's annexation of Alsace-Lorraine in 1871, generations of Frenchmen were inculcated with anti-German feeling. A French-German-Russian alliance against Britain was proposed at the time of the Boer War in 1900, but failed when Wilhelm demanded that the French recognize Alsace-Lorraine as German.<ref>Röhl, p. 46.</ref> London responded to Germany's rising power and hostility by signing an "Entente" with Paris in 1904.

The kaiser's dream of leading a continental league against Britain was sabotaged by Alsace-Lorraine, French territory annexed by Germany in 1871 as a result of the Franco-Prussian War. A French-German-Russian alliance against Britain was proposed at the time of the Boer War in 1900, but failed when Wilhelm demanded that the French recognize Alsace-Lorraine as German.<ref>Röhl, p. 46.</ref> France made alliances directed against Germany with Russia in 1892 and with Britain in 1904.

Mindful of the role the British had played in Napoleon's downfall, Wilhelm built up the German navy in the hope that this would intimidate Britain. In 1900, the Reichstag enacted a Naval Law that authorized a program of long-term naval expansion. By 1902, Germany and Britain were locked in a "naval race." When the British launched the oversized HMS ''Dreadnought'' in 1906, earlier warships became obsolete. Rivalry between the two nations became a focus of intense public interest and national pride. The Anglo-French Entente proved itself in 1911 when Britain intervened to support France in the Agadir Crisis. Germany did not have the resources to challenge a combined Anglo-French fleet. The episode illustrated the futility of a naval strategy. German attention soon shifted to the army.

Mindful of the role the British had played in Napoleon's downfall, Wilhelm built up the German navy in the hope that this would intimidate Britain. In 1900, the Reichstag enacted a Naval Law that authorized a program of long-term naval expansion. By 1902, Germany and Britain were locked in a "naval race." When the British launched the oversized HMS ''Dreadnought'' in 1906, earlier warships became obsolete. Rivalry between the two nations became a focus of intense public interest and national pride. The Anglo-French Entente proved itself in 1911 when Britain intervened to support France in the Agadir Crisis. Germany did not have the resources to challenge a combined Anglo-French fleet. The episode illustrated the futility of a naval strategy. German attention soon shifted to the army.