Reichsinformationsamt - Wilhelm IV

Wilhelm IV (Wilhelm Friedrich Georg von Hohenzollern und Mecklenburg-Schwerin) is an intellectual, chemist, and military tactician by profession currently serving as the 5th Emperor of the German Reich and the 11th King of Prussia. Born in 1925, in Hohenzollern Castle, he is the son of then-Crown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia and Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He ascended to the throne in 1978 in the waning stages of the Kalterkrieg, following his father's death, and quickly established himself as both a leader and an intellectual figurehead for the German Reich.

Pre-reign

Prince Wilhelm Friedrich Georg von Hohenzollern und Mecklenburg-Schwerin was born on April 3, 1925, at Hohenzollern Castle to Crown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia and Crown Princess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He had two brothers, Otto and Michel, and three sisters, Cecille, Marie, and Sophie. Among his siblings, Prince Wilhelm was particularly favored by his grandfather, Wilhelm II, who admired his intellectual abilities, especially his knack for solving military-related problems with ease. However, despite such favor, Wilhelm was not the heir-apparent to the throne, as his older brother Otto held that position as the eldest male sibling. At a young age, Wilhelm was secretly engaged to Lady Augusta, the heiress to the Blumenthal family, a connection that strengthened his influence within the Reich Council of Ministers, notably through Count Albrecht von Blumenthal, his father-in-law, who was then serving as Reich Minister of Education.

He began his education at the Kaiser Friedrich IV Royal College in Berlin before completing his secondary studies at the Vienna Institute of Science and Technology in Austria, where his professors regarded him as the greatest pride of the German Imperial Family. Known for his academic excellence, he graduated with the highest honors and received several distinguished scientific awards, including the International Chemistry Olympiad and the European Nuclear Science Convention. He then attended Berlin Royal University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, graduating cum laude. Following his formal studies, he enrolled at the Reich Military Academy, upholding the old Prussian tradition of military training. In 1949, after his military education, he completed his doctorate at Berlin Royal University, with a groundbreaking thesis titled Chemistry of Synthetic Fuels: Hydrocarbon Processing and Coal Liquefaction, which gained extensive recognition and eventually led to his Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1953. That same year, he was appointed as the Head Chemist of the Imperial Palace.

After Crown Prince Otto's death from chronic cancer, Wilhelm was proclaimed the new heir to the throne. As Crown Prince, Wilhelm undertook significant initiatives, including his high-profile visit to the United States in 1961 during the height of the Kalterkrieg, which aimed to ease diplomatic tensions. Domestically, he spearheaded the establishment of Neue Munich, now known as TechnikTal, a hub for technological innovation. Recognizing the strategic importance of advancing technology for military strength and economic stability, Wilhelm championed extensive research in energy, weaponry, and transportation. During the Korean Missile Crisis of 1964, Wilhelm played a crucial role as a proponent of peace, convincing Chancellor Adenauer to seek diplomatic negotiations with the United States, a move that established Wilhelm as a hero. His role was later immortalized in the 2018 film "Angel" by director Werner Friedmann. In 1968, Wilhelm made a landmark speech denouncing anti-Semitism and supporting the Shalom Movement, leading to Parliament's passage of anti-racism laws across the Greater Reich.

Reign

In October 23, 1978, Wilhelm III passed away in Neue Sanssouci Palace. On December 25, 1978, Wilhelm IV was officially crowned as the 4th Emperor of the German Reich and was proclaimed the ruler of the Greater Germanic Reich, signaling a new era in both the Empire’s domestic and foreign policies. One of Wilhelm IV’s first acts as Emperor was to formally appoint Helmut Kohl, a leading figure of the National Unity Party (NEP), as his first Chancellor. The new Emperor and his Chancellor shared a common vision: the need for the German Reich to maintain a strong stance against the Washington Treaty Organization (WTO) while expanding German influence across the globe, particularly toward the Americas. Wilhelm IV and Kohl quickly launched a policy of containment aimed at limiting the power and influence of the United States in Europe and beyond. This approach sought to reduce American dominance in global politics while strategically positioning the German Reich as a central power in a shifting world order.

However, Kohl’s tenure as Chancellor would be brief. He served only three years before stepping down in favor of Franz Josef Strauss, the Reich Minister of Defence, who was appointed as the new Chancellor. Strauss was seen as a more aggressive and ambitious statesman, eager to take a bolder stance against the United States and expand Germany's global footprint. His confrontational approach threatened to undermine the more cautious expansion policies that Wilhelm IV had envisioned, leading to tensions between the two leaders. One of the most contentious issues was Strauss’ proposal to increase the budget for the Wehrmacht, which would come at the expense of social services like education and healthcare. Wilhelm IV, who had always prioritized the welfare of his people, was outraged by the suggestion. Reports indicate that during a private meeting, Wilhelm IV described Strauss as "arrogant" and "irritating," expressing his frustration at the Chancellor's willingness to sacrifice the Empire’s domestic needs for military ambitions. This disagreement underscored the deepening rift between the two men, with Wilhelm IV becoming increasingly concerned about Strauss’ militaristic policies. In 1985, the political landscape took another turn when leaked documents revealed that Strauss had been involved in several bribery schemes within the Reich Ministry of Defence. The scandal rocked the Empire, leading to widespread public outrage and a loss of confidence in Strauss' leadership. Faced with growing political pressure, Wilhelm IV made the difficult decision to remove Strauss from office, replacing him with Heinrich von Göring, a rising NEP member known for his more measured, yet still ambitious, approach to governance.

Göring's appointment marked a shift in leadership style. While he shared Strauss' vision of expanding Germany’s influence and asserting its power on the global stage, Göring was far less rash in his decision-making. His diplomatic experience and political pragmatism won him the trust of Wilhelm IV, who saw in Göring a leader capable of balancing military strength with the Empire’s social and economic needs. Göring was able to navigate the waning stages of the Kalterkrieg with the proclamation of Pax Germanica, a political campaign that aimed to cement Germany as the hegemon of the new age, and this vision was fully supported by Wilhelm IV. Though considered pacifistic by many in the political sphere, Wilhelm IV supported strategic interventions and covert operations in line with German ambitions. It is said that the Emperor personally proposed the 1986 coup in the Philippines, a former WTO member, which placed Bavarian Prince August as King of the Philippine Islands. In 1996, Wilhelm IV and Chancellor Göring solidified their legacy at the Washington Summit, which formally ended the Kalterkrieg and established the basis for Pax Germanica. Wilhelm IV thus became the last Emperor to lead Germany during the Kalterkrieg and the first German head of state in the era of Pax Germanica.

Wilhelm IV in his military attire

As the Cold War faded into history, Wilhelm IV turned his focus on re-establishing German influence across the post-war territories. Following the American Civil War, Wilhelm sent his son, Prince Leopold von Hohenzollern und Blumenthal, to be crowned as King of Canada and Sovereign of the Commonwealth of America. Originally, Wilhelm was expected to be the symbolic Sovereign of the former territories of the United States, but Göring advised that he should send Prince Leopold to America where he will reside so that the transition of power would foster stronger loyalty among the population. In 2003, Wilhelm attended his son's coronation, marking a New America "under the German sky," and the beginning of stronger German-American diplomatic ties. By the late 2000s, Wilhelm embarked on a series of diplomatic missions, visiting former WTO countries, including Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Canada, and the Philippines, where he emphasized Germany's commitment to global peace and stability in this new era.

In 1999, Theodor von Metternich, Göring’s former Vice-Chancellor, succeeded him as Chancellor of Germany. Metternich continued Göring's pursuits of peace and strengthened the Empire’s intelligence networks to maintain stability and counter anti-German sentiment abroad. Wilhelm IV was actively involved in shaping the post-Kalterkrieg agenda alongside Metternich, frequently hosting dinners where they discussed foreign policy and intelligence strategies. In September 4, 2010, Metternich was assassinated. Hermann von Bülow, a member of an opposition faction within the NEP was accused as the ring leader of the assassination, which was overturned following a court decision in 2012. Wilhelm IV expressed his condolences to the House of Metternich, describing the late Chancellor as a "visionary" and a "true German leader" during his eulogy during the funeral. In 2016, Wilhelm IV became a leading advocate of the Terrorkrieg (War on Terror) with the support of Chancellor Angela Merkel. This campaign marked a decisive shift in Germany's international policy, focusing on eradicating anti-German insurgencies and protecting Germanic interests worldwide. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Wilhelm IV donated to the Reich Health Initiative using the Imperial Family Treasury, which was praised by the public.

As Wilhelm IV grew older, he began to distance himself from the day-to-day political affairs of the Reich, a decision prompted by his worsening health. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the early 2020s, the Emperor's physical and mental faculties began to decline, and he found it increasingly difficult to remain actively involved in the administration of Germany. In response to his health challenges, Wilhelm IV made a significant decision on March 7, 2021, appointing his eldest son, Crown Prince Wilhelm-Alexander, as the Reichsverweser (Imperial Regent).