The differential diagnosis of Morrell Mackenzie, MD

German physicians attending the case of Kaiser Friedrich called in, at one point, a British physician widely held to be the pre-eminent otolaryngologist in Europe at the time: Morrell Mackenzie, MD. Mackenzie advised against surgery at the time, and we all know that Friedrich's reign was all too brief.

But suppose, after consultation with his German colleagues, Mackenzie agreed with their tentative plan of treatment, and advised surgery? To be sure, it might well have left the Kaiser with a permanently weakened voice, but it may well have prolonged his life by several years. To that end, I suggest:

* Friedrich was well known to have liberalizing proclivities. Perhaps Bismarck might have (been asked/forced to) resign(ed) some few years earlier, and a more liberal polity would have been put in play, making the German Empire at least approach Great Britain in terms of parliamentary democracy.
* With the departure of Bismarck and the delay in accession of Wilhelm, a scramble for African colonies might well have been delayed, blunted, or both.
* And with a lessened thrust for overseas colonies, perhaps the High Seas Fleet might never have been built.
* With the accession of Joseph Chamberlain to the British Foreign Office, it's not unlikely that an Anglo-German alliance might have been concluded in the 1890s. With that, there likely would not have been a Kruger telegram--but perhaps there would have been an armed confrontation over Fashoda. In the latter case, France would almost certainly have come off the loser, facing Britain backed by Germany.


Comments?
 
I'm afraid that most of what you suggest are strictly AH and more wishful thinking of a world that did experience the Great War and the Second World War.

1. Frederick probably could only liberalize (if possible) Germany in incredibly small degrees. He and the Empress were not well liked at Court and the constitution only gives him so much leeway. In some aspects he is similar to Franz-Ferdinand in that they were both looked at with suspicion by the Aristocracy.

2. Both Frederick III and his father, Wilhelm I, were strong supporters of the Imperial Navy. They both recognized how important a strong naval force was. Both Wilhelm II and Tirpitz are late comers to the 'large navy' idea. Also the navy was supported by the up and coming and expanding middle class and heavy industry.
 
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