Changes

The planned invasion was launched in August 1914, triggering [[World War I]]. Although the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke [[Franz Ferdinand]] in Sarajevo in July created a useful pretext, this wasn't enough to prevent British involvement. The British were outraged by the invasion of neutral Belgium. They responded with a declaration of war against Germany, as well as full military support for the Belgians and French.

The planned invasion was launched in August 1914, triggering [[World War I]]. Although the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke [[Franz Ferdinand]] in Sarajevo in July created a useful pretext, this wasn't enough to prevent British involvement. The British were outraged by the invasion of neutral Belgium. They responded with a declaration of war against Germany, as well as full military support for the Belgians and French.

For several years, fighting remained deadlocked as trench warfare continued across northern France. When German submarines blockaded Britain and attacked neutral shipping in 1917, the United States declared war on Germany. In November 1918, the war ended in a catastrophic defeat for Germany. By that time, over 4.2 million Germans had been killed. Wilhelm fled to the Netherlands and lived in exile until 1941.

For several years, fighting remained deadlocked as trench warfare continued across northern France. After German submarines blockaded Britain and attacked neutral shipping in February 1917, the United States declared war on Germany. When Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg resigned in July 1917, political power passed from the kaiser to the army high command under Ludendorff. In November 1918, the war ended in a catastrophic defeat for Germany. By that time, over 4.2 million Germans had been killed. Wilhelm fled to the Netherlands and lived in exile until 1941.

==Youth and personality==

==Youth and personality==