Instructional Video

Kaiser Wilhelm II - The Last German Emperor

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Was he driven by an inappropriate relationship with his English mother? Or was he just an incompetent, but well-intentioned, monarch? The Kaiser's tough upbringing and how it may have influenced his decisions in the Great War are unpacked in a video biography. 

9 Views 4 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Have your class debate how childhood shapes leaders
  • Compare Kaiser Wilhelm II to his cousin, Tsar Nicolas II, using a companion video in this series  
Classroom Considerations
  • One installment of an extensive Who Did What in World War I? playlist
  • Sexual themes, including incest, may make the video inappropriate for some classes
  • Pupils need background on the causes of World War I to fully understand all the details of the video
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • Connects the Kaiser's early experiences to the larger themes of World War I
  • Intriguing photographs and engaging narrator keep scholars interested
Cons
  • None
Common Core