A very British Kaiser.

Human factor is important in modern history?
What if Kaiser Willhielm ( or a alternate Kaiser) had been very anglophile and absolutely determined to have excellent relations (and possibly a alliance) with British Empire?
Could the Kaiser determine the military and foreign policy of his country?

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Then Wilhelm, or the alternate Kaiser, is going to give up having a huge Kaiserliche Marine. Germany's attempts to compete with the Royal Navy were one of reasons for the souring of relations in the early 20th Century. The Kaiser pretty much set the tone of the government and foreign policy following Bismarck's departure. So this Kaiser would need to need to find common ground with Britain and support their global positions. Playing Britain off of France (in Africa) and Russia (in Central Asia) would definitely go a long way in Germany and Britain having the excellent relations you speak of in the OP.
 
Well it might certainly prove a brake on any movements France or Russia may try in Europe. Depending just well England and Germany get along might also shape how Austria-Hungary plays its hand in the Balkans.
 
Human factor is important in modern history?
What if Kaiser Willhielm ( or a alternate Kaiser) had been very anglophile and absolutely determined to have excellent relations (and possibly a alliance) with British Empire?

Wilihelm {i}was[/i] very anglophile. He spole fluent English. Winning the yacht race at the Cowes regatta was an obsession (because it was the most important English race). His grandmother Victoria literally died in his arms.

This did not interfere with his being a vain, insecure bully with a huge chip on his soldier and a massive inferiority complex toward Britain. And especially toward his uncle Edward VII. He wanted an alliance with Britain, but only on his terms. Whenever Britain wouldn't cooperate, he turned against them.

To change the final direction of his policy, one would have to change his character.

Could the Kaiser determine the military and foreign policy of his country?

Not completely, but he had far more authority than the British monarchy.
 
Kaiser Bill had a lot of psychological issues. One wonders how what his character would have been liked had his arm not been crippled during birth. I presume his arm had a lot to do with his insecurity which fueled his bullying behavior to compensate for it.
 
What's the chances of his mother's efforts to install a 'British Democratic attitude' in him that he OTL resisted being more successful and possibly have him serve in a British Cavalry Regt or even the Royal Navy in the same fashion as Prince Ludwig Alexander von Battenberg at least until his father becomes ill?

As for wanting better relations with Britain perhaps not sacking Bismarck in 1890 might have forestalled this?
 
I thought his dad was an anglophile, have him live longer.

Also, have his arm not crippled at birth. He blamed it on that "damned English doctor." (his words not mine)
 
If Wilhelm wants to have good relations with Britain, he'd better learn to let Britain call the shots for German policy.

Britain was running roughshod over German interests in the Transvaal, and threatening war and blockade if Germany resisted, before Germany built the HSF. Because Britain didn't want yet another strong nation intruding to insinuate her own interests (France had already learned her lesson at Fashoda) -- even if those interests were entirely legitimate according to the standards of the time.

It will help in this regard if you recognize that Britain was very much the hegemon in overseas affairs, and she knew and liked it.

Plus, unified Germany arose too late, in a Europe just "big enough for four". If she makes any waves, colonial or Continentally, Britain will side with the Long-Established Powers. Especially Russia, which can cause serious trouble for Britain around Persia and India, but also France with whom Britain had, at long last, worked out a satisfactory (to Britain, at least) modus vivendi. Germany was the unwelcome parvenu; sorry, Bill, tough luck old fellow.

I'd recommend you read The Sleepwalkers, by Clark.

Bottom line, no matter how Anglophile Wilhelm might be personally, it won't gain him anything unless he Knows His Place.

And that's going to be a real problem for the Kaiser we all know and love...
 
I recall that if the British Succession laws had been modified during Queen Victoria's reign to allow Absolute Cognatic successtion before the birth of Edward, then the crown of England would have passed down via her eldest daughter, also named Victoria, to her son, future Kaiser William. Had this happened, Kaiser Bill would also become King Willy, cementing an Anglo-German alliance thanks to a common sovereign. What effect this might have on either country is speculative (liberalized Germany on the British Parliamentary model?) but the naval arms race that spoiled relations certainly wouldn't have happened, not if Willy has the whole Royal Navy to play with.
The marriage of the world's strongest navy with the world's most potent army would make a formidable combination.
 
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