Johann Albrecht Ernst Konstantin Friedrich Heinrich, Herzog zu Mecklenburg was a German member of the House of Mecklenburg, prominent colonial politician, internationally respected diplomatic dignitary and long-time president of the German Colonial Society, experienced administrator, Prince Regent of both the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1897-1901) and the Duchy of Brunswick (1907-1913) as well as one of the most prestigious members of the German far-right.
During the Weltkrieg, the duke was one of the most prominent proponents for the establishment of a continuous colonial empire in Africa (Mittelafrika) and pushed for far-reaching annexations in the east and west alike. This drew the attention of the so-called Kanzlersturzbewegung ("Chancellor Overthrowal Movement") towards him, which had the aim to oust Reichskanzler Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, whose soft policy in regard to the Allies as well as his opposition towards unrestricted submarine warfare alienated the German far-right. In September 1917, Duke Johann Albrecht was one of the founders of the German Fatherland Party and would remain its Honorary Chairman until his death; however, even though he was shortly proposed as a potential chancellor candidate after the September Insurrections of 1918, he would eventually die in 1920 without ever having held any relevant government positions.