WI Bismarck Fails as Minister President of Prussia

When Wilhelm, King of Prussia, offered Otto von Bismarck the position of head of government in September of 1862, he was giving power to a man he did not care for, a man he had sent to Russia for the specific purpose of getting him as far away from his kingdom's center of power as possible, and was essentially doing so as a Hail Mary to save his government from a constitutional crisis. The chosen man, of course, would surprise everyone and change history, not only by managing to make the new government work, but leading Prussia to unify the German states in the 1860's, and subsequently serve as Chancellor of Germany.

But what if he hadn't? What if, instead, the initial predictions of Bismarck's term as Minister President turned out to be accurate; specifically, what if he resigned* or was fired sometime before the conflict with Austria in 1866 could break out? First, how would Prussia now cope with the constitutional question that had brought Bismarck to power in the first place? Second, what would this mean for German politics, and for the prospects of unification (assuming any)? And third, how does this affect European politics in the late 19th Century?

*successfully resigned, since he did in fact tender at least one resignation during this time that the king declined
 
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Germany might remain a bunch of little states.

Also, the a later POD that might screw Bismarck over is the Eams Dispatch. Not because he made up dialogue or lied (he didn't and just removed some sentences), but at that time Wilhelm was starting to get annoyed with him for... I don't remember, there wasn't any domestic problems Wilhelm can complain about. Anyways, if Napoleon III resists the siren call for war, Bismarck is going to be marginalized and the Prime Minister position will be less powerful. In OTL, he was losing favor but the unification brought him back into "full trusted advisor" position.
 

Thomas1195

Banned
Germany might remain a bunch of little states.

Also, the a later POD that might screw Bismarck over is the Eams Dispatch. Not because he made up dialogue or lied (he didn't and just removed some sentences), but at that time Wilhelm was starting to get annoyed with him for... I don't remember, there wasn't any domestic problems Wilhelm can complain about. Anyways, if Napoleon III resists the siren call for war, Bismarck is going to be marginalized and the Prime Minister position will be less powerful. In OTL, he was losing favor but the unification brought him back into "full trusted advisor" position.
Depends. If a Liberal fantasist become PM, then we would have not just Germany but Greater Germany. Given the relative condition of Prussian army compared to the rest, this is possible.
 
Is it possible TTL sees Prussia fall into civil war? If the 1866 war is averted, what becomes of Hungary? And if unification is further delayed, especially if Prussia's position is further weakened, what does this mean for the German Confederation?
 
Much depends on when Bismarck resigns.

If it's before Summer 1863, Wilhelm probably attends the Congress of Princes at Frankfurt. While nothing is guaranteed, it is at least possible that he and Franz Josef may reach a deal; perhaps one involving a common military service law for the whole of Germany, with the term of service set (not by coincidence) at three years, as Wilhelm was insisting on for Prussia. Since this would be a Federal law, binding on all the States, the Prussian Parliament would be sidelined, having no power to reject it. Wilhelm would also be spared the need to dismiss recalcitrant judges, as the law would now be clearly on his side. The King would then have no need of a Bismarck, which is no doubt why dear old Otto fought so hard to stop him attending the Congress.
 

Perkeo

Banned
I think theese German states were doomed either way. No matter who is in charge,
  • Some states will leave the Confederation (Luxemburg, either Austria or Prussia, Schleswig-Holstein)
  • Some states will unite to larger entities
  • Some territorial disputes with other nations will change the outer borders.
And we end up with no more than five states that cover OTL post WWI Germany and Austria +- 20%, depending on how clever or lucky the protagonists are.
 
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