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Despite the great push of Spring 1918, which nearly won the war for Germany, Germany's ability to win the war in 1918 collapsed, as U.S. involvement took on real form, and shortages at home in Germany spun out of control.  It became clear that Germany was set to lose the war.

With revolution spreading to Berlin, Wilhelm was forced to abdicate on 9 November 1918.  Chancellor Max von Baden pre-empted Wilhelm's decision by announcing his abdication to the public.  Wilhelm sought exile in Holland, where he lived for the rest of his life.  Holland refused to extradite Wilhelm as a war criminal to the Allies following the Armistice.

With Hitler's rise to power in 1933, Wilhelm harboured hopes of restoration of his throne, and made tentative representations to that effect; they came to naught.  Even so, Wilhelm supported German nationalism as personified by Hitler.

Kaiser Wilhelm lived in exile for 22 years. The Germans never wanted him back. He died on June 4, 1941 and he was buried in a small mausoleum on the lawn of Huis Doorn, a small castle he had bought in 1919.

He was buried there on purpose, because the Kaiser considered his Dutch castle and its precincts "German soil". His body must stay there, he ordered in his will, until in Germany the monarchy is restored.

Kaiser Bill