I have another thought. What effect would an early death of Bismarck have on a young Prince Wilhelm of Prussia? (Future Wilhelm II). In order to lessen any influence the Crown Prince Frederick might have with his father Wilhelm I, (Bismarcks real dislike was for the Crown Princess Victoria, daughter of Queen Victoria,) the Chancellor gained influence over the young prince. After the Franco-Prussian War, the young Prince, then 12 years old, was still fond of his mother, and idolized his father for his military feats. Without a Bismarck to turn the young prince against his mother and eventually his father, how might have "Willy's" psyche been different? How might his reign, after his fathers premature death been different?