What direct role did Kaiser William II of Germany play in the events leading to World War I?
The kaiser's support of the Triple Alliance led Germany to attack France.
The kaiser ordered his army to attack Belgium after war was declared.
The kaiser's support of Austria-Hungary led that nation to declare war on Serbia.
The kaiser expanded the German navy to compete with Great Britain's navy.
All of the following options are correct:
1. The kaiser's support of the Triple Alliance led Germany to attack France. Kaiser Wilhelm II actively supported the Triple Alliance, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. This alliance played a significant role in Germany's decision to attack France as part of the Schlieffen Plan, which aimed to quickly defeat France before turning its attention to Russia.
2. The kaiser ordered his army to attack Belgium after war was declared. One of the major catalysts for World War I was the German invasion of Belgium in violation of its neutral status. Kaiser Wilhelm II played a direct role in this decision, as he gave explicit orders to his army to invade Belgium as part of their plan to quickly attack France.
3. The kaiser's support of Austria-Hungary led that nation to declare war on Serbia. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914 led to a diplomatic crisis. Kaiser Wilhelm II supported Austria-Hungary's aggressive response to Serbia and provided them with a "blank check" of support. This encouragement from Germany and the Austro-German alliance played a crucial role in Austria-Hungary's decision to declare war on Serbia, leading to the outbreak of World War I.
4. The kaiser expanded the German navy to compete with Great Britain's navy. Kaiser Wilhelm II strongly believed in the significance of having a powerful navy, and he oversaw the expansion of the German navy, particularly the construction of battleships. This naval expansion was aimed at challenging the naval supremacy of Great Britain and played a role in escalating the arms race between the two nations, contributing to the overall tension in Europe before the outbreak of World War I.