Austria-Hungary
Emperor Franz Joseph
1830 - 1916
Reign: 1848 - 1916
The Emperor Franz Josph of the Hapsburg Monarchy and Austro-Hungarian Emire came into power at the age of 18, during the revolution of 1848. A powerful leader, he ruled Austria with an iron fist, creating both a strong central power, and unrest amongst his people. His was responsible for the aliance with Prussia-led Germany. It was truly he who started the war with his ultimatem on Serbia after the assassination of his nephew, Franz Ferdinand. He did not even bother to attend the funeral of the man he had begun a war over.
Reign: 1848 - 1916
The Emperor Franz Josph of the Hapsburg Monarchy and Austro-Hungarian Emire came into power at the age of 18, during the revolution of 1848. A powerful leader, he ruled Austria with an iron fist, creating both a strong central power, and unrest amongst his people. His was responsible for the aliance with Prussia-led Germany. It was truly he who started the war with his ultimatem on Serbia after the assassination of his nephew, Franz Ferdinand. He did not even bother to attend the funeral of the man he had begun a war over.
Franz Ferdinand
1863 -1914
Never popular with the ruling class, Franz Ferdinand became the heir to the throne of Austria after the deaths of both his own father, and his cousin (son of Franz Joseph). His Assassination was carried out by a Serbian terrorist group, The Black Hand, in a display of anger towards Austria. This anger was based on Austria's annexing of Serbia 6 years ago. Though, Franz Ferdinand had planned on giving Serbia an equal voice as Hungary had, he waaas stilled punished for the mistake(s) of his uncle. His wife, Sophia, was also a victim of the assassination.
Never popular with the ruling class, Franz Ferdinand became the heir to the throne of Austria after the deaths of both his own father, and his cousin (son of Franz Joseph). His Assassination was carried out by a Serbian terrorist group, The Black Hand, in a display of anger towards Austria. This anger was based on Austria's annexing of Serbia 6 years ago. Though, Franz Ferdinand had planned on giving Serbia an equal voice as Hungary had, he waaas stilled punished for the mistake(s) of his uncle. His wife, Sophia, was also a victim of the assassination.
GERMANY
Kaiser Wilhelm II
1859 - 1941
Reign: 1888 - 1918
KaiserFredrich Wilhelm Viktor Albrecht, though an ectremely militaristic ruler, was an ineffective commander during a time of war. much of his focus in the years prior to World War I was on building up the German Army. A rash man, he often failed to consult before making major diplomatic decisions.Despite a nervous breakdown only 6 years before the war, Wilhelm maintainwed an anti-British ampaign. Later both he and his chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, were strongly in favor of the Austro-Hungarian declaration of war on Serbia, along with his chancellor. After a series of poor decision making he finally abdicated in 1918 and fled to Holland along with his family.
Fun Fact #1: The Kaiser was the grandson of Queen Victoria of England.
Fun Fact #2: The Kaiser had a withered left arm and would pose in pictures with his left hand holding gloves, his right hand or resting on a sword so as to make it look both longer and like a useful limb.
Reign: 1888 - 1918
KaiserFredrich Wilhelm Viktor Albrecht, though an ectremely militaristic ruler, was an ineffective commander during a time of war. much of his focus in the years prior to World War I was on building up the German Army. A rash man, he often failed to consult before making major diplomatic decisions.Despite a nervous breakdown only 6 years before the war, Wilhelm maintainwed an anti-British ampaign. Later both he and his chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, were strongly in favor of the Austro-Hungarian declaration of war on Serbia, along with his chancellor. After a series of poor decision making he finally abdicated in 1918 and fled to Holland along with his family.
Fun Fact #1: The Kaiser was the grandson of Queen Victoria of England.
Fun Fact #2: The Kaiser had a withered left arm and would pose in pictures with his left hand holding gloves, his right hand or resting on a sword so as to make it look both longer and like a useful limb.
General von Ludendorf
1865 - 1937
At the beginning of World War One Erich von Hindenburg was a major-general. He quickly rose in prominence and rank. Eventually he was partnered with General von Hindenburg and together they became two major leaders of the War. after the war he spent time in Sweden, but later returned. He became one of Hitler'earliest and most fervent supporters, in favor of a revenge war on France and Britain.
At the beginning of World War One Erich von Hindenburg was a major-general. He quickly rose in prominence and rank. Eventually he was partnered with General von Hindenburg and together they became two major leaders of the War. after the war he spent time in Sweden, but later returned. He became one of Hitler'earliest and most fervent supporters, in favor of a revenge war on France and Britain.
General von Hindenburg
1847 – 1934
Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beckendorf und von Hindenburg, more commonly known as General Paul von Hindenburg, retired in 1911, 3 years before the outbreak of World War I, upon which he was called back to serve. In November of 1914 he was named Supreme Commander East. Although he won many victories, it is argued that the credit for those victories belongs to his more talented suboordinates (such as Ludendorf). Hindenburg’s military prowess may have been less than exceptional, but his public appeal was phenomenal, to the point of having his own “Hindenburg Cult”. The citizens of Germany would build small wooden statues of him upon which would be nailed money and war bonds. By 1916 he acted more as the commander in chief of the army than did Keiser Wilhelm; this began an era reffered to as the “Silent Dictatorship”, due to the military control of Germany. After the war Hindenburg retired for the second time, and made an effort to stay out of the public eye. This effort did not succeed, however, as he went on to become the 2nd President of Germany in 1925. He was succeeded by Adolf Hitler.
Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beckendorf und von Hindenburg, more commonly known as General Paul von Hindenburg, retired in 1911, 3 years before the outbreak of World War I, upon which he was called back to serve. In November of 1914 he was named Supreme Commander East. Although he won many victories, it is argued that the credit for those victories belongs to his more talented suboordinates (such as Ludendorf). Hindenburg’s military prowess may have been less than exceptional, but his public appeal was phenomenal, to the point of having his own “Hindenburg Cult”. The citizens of Germany would build small wooden statues of him upon which would be nailed money and war bonds. By 1916 he acted more as the commander in chief of the army than did Keiser Wilhelm; this began an era reffered to as the “Silent Dictatorship”, due to the military control of Germany. After the war Hindenburg retired for the second time, and made an effort to stay out of the public eye. This effort did not succeed, however, as he went on to become the 2nd President of Germany in 1925. He was succeeded by Adolf Hitler.