Why and how Wilhelm II managed to take and keep control of the German Imperial system?

I was wondering, from 1871 to 1888, the German Kaisers were essentially monarchic presidents of a federation and substantially symbol of national unity and notaries of the political activities, but with Wilhelm II the Imperial institute became something of...different. I wouldn't arrive to say that Wilhelm was in all accounts an authoritarian monarch, but he surely appear to act like that.

Here I want to inquire, why after 1888 happened exactly this shift of power? Considering the German constitution remained unchanged until the abdication. It was because Wilhelm was more valid than the successors of Bismarck and the German political class of the time, or simply more ambitious and authoritarian than his father and grandfather? 17 years were sufficient to the Germans to see Wilhelm more than a mere Emperor of the Germans and he took legitimation from this? There were loopholes in the German system which allowed him to prevail, and if yes, why Bismarck didn't notice this potential risk of weak chancellorates in front of a strong Imperial authority? For last, the other rulers of Germany never felt to being undermined by the shadow of Wilhelm? Or they were resigned over the Hohenzollern supremacy? Also, he was helped by the rise of Socialists and similar so the conservative block willingly supported him? And so more.

Is just I wish to understand better where and how Wilhelm managed, well, to rig the Reich under his whims until the fall?
 

Anderman

Donor
As you have writen the constitution was not changed when it comes to the power of the Kaiser. The difference is that Wilhelm I and Frederick III let Bismarck run the empire. They didn´t use the powers the constitution gave them but Wilhelm II did.
The term Kaiser in the constitution is a mere term for the Presidency or a title not a crown. It automatical goes to the King of Prussia. Prussia had the most votes in the Bundestag, the chamber which represents the states (not a something like the House of Lords in the UK). And the King of Prussia could instruct his goverment how to vote in the Bundesrat.
The Emperor appoints the Ministers and the Chancellor of the Empire. The same could the King of Prussia in Prussia and which of course are same person.
To make it short Wilhelm II simply decided to use this powers/rights and get more involved in the daily politics . His father and grand father less so.
And for Bismarck i simply asume that he thought he would live for ever and keep the system running because it was his system.
 
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