WI Bismarck remains chancellor till death

So what if for whatever reason Bismarck remains the chancellor of Germany till 1898 - lets assume he dies on scedule. I think the easiest for my goals would be Wilhelm I living longer. What would be the most important changes? Would there be any long term effects? Lets say he is followed by Willy II.

As far as I can tell the most important change is that the reinsurance treaty with Russia would continue which would prevent or at least delay the Franco-Russian alliance. This would also delay France investing huge amounts of money in Russia. It would delay or change the first of the naval laws - however the first was not yet a problem I think.

What would be the further effects of this changes? Anything else?
 
Sozialistengesetze not lifted until after 1898 might have severe influences on the organized German labour movement, and maybe world-altering ones on it beyond germany. Think a less pragmatic, more lofty and/or radicalised SPD.
 
Do we assume he keeps his fully mental faculties? I heard after retirement he started getting slow (not outright senile, just slow) in thinking. but cognitive decline isn't inevitable and there are people in their 90s with perfect mental health.
 
Do we assume he keeps his fully mental faculties? I heard after retirement he started getting slow (not outright senile, just slow) in thinking. but cognitive decline isn't inevitable and there are people in their 90s with perfect mental health.

He should keep his faculties. It wouldnt be as interesting otherwise.

Sozialistengesetze not lifted until after 1898 might have severe influences on the organized German labour movement, and maybe world-altering ones on it beyond germany. Think a less pragmatic, more lofty and/or radicalised SPD.

Thats a good one. I completly forgot about that as I was concentrating on diplomatic consequences.
 

samcster94

Banned
Sozialistengesetze not lifted until after 1898 might have severe influences on the organized German labour movement, and maybe world-altering ones on it beyond germany. Think a less pragmatic, more lofty and/or radicalised SPD.
That would be interesting. The SPD actually being able to fight for Germany in OTL in WWI might not happen in a similar conflict in TTL.
 
His foreign policy is more important, though. He wouldn't break with Russia, but prolong the secret treaties in 1890, 1893 and 1896 if possible. And if there is a chance to ally with Britain against France, he'd use it.
 
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