Leo von Caprivi

Born into a Prussian noble family of Italian descent on 24 February 1831, Georg Leo von Caprivi rose through the army ranks and distinguished himself as chief of staff of the X Army Corps during the Franco-Prussian War. Appointed chief of the Imperial German Navy in 1883, he clashed with Wilhelm II over naval strategy and resigned in 1888. Two years later Wilhelm forced Bismarck out and named Caprivi chancellor and Prussian minister-president. He pursued Wilhelm's "new course": abandoned the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia, traded Zanzibar for Heligoland and the Caprivi Strip hoping for a British alliance that never came, reversed protectionist tariffs, and pushed social reforms meant to quiet domestic strife. Right-wing nationalists, landowners, and colonial factions turned on him; failed school reforms cost him the Prussian post in 1892, and a fight over military spending finished him in October 1894. He withdrew and died on 6 February 1899.