WI: Wilhelm II dies before he becomes Kaiser

Jim Smitty

Jim Smitty

Ok the idea is simple, what if Wilhelm the Second dies in the early 1880s from some kind of accident. Say his horse throws him or something to that effect. How would Prince Henry of Prussia lead Germany when he takes the crown in 1888. Would he keep Bismarck's course or follow his brother's course in foreign affairs?

How would this effect the course of European history?
 
Vingilótë

Vingilótë

When Wilhelm II dies is rather important. Is it before or after the birth of his first son, Wilhelm, in 1882?
 
Last edited:

Westphalian

Jim Smitty said:
Ok the idea is simple, what if Wilhelm the Second dies in the early 1880s from some kind of accident.
Click to expand...

Emphasis mine.

As Zmflavius said, it depends when in the early 1880s: January of 1880 to July of 1881 will result in the coronation of King Heinrich in 1888.
If he dies a bit later, chances are that in May of 1882 his first and only son will be born. No reason to assume that he will not be christened Friedrich Wilhelm. In 1888 Heinrich will become Prinzregent for the six-year old boy, who will reach majority in 1900.

This is rather close to Carlton Bach's excellent Geloybte Aretz TL.
 
Jim Smitty

Jim Smitty

Ok I didn't look to see when Wilhelm's son was born. This death is pre-July 1881. So the crown would pass on to Prince Henry of Prussia.
 

eliphas8

Assuming you mean before the death of his son then he would be succeeded by Prince Henry his younger brother. The two most important things about him where 1. Unlike his brother he wasn't an idiot and 2. he was a naval officer by so he will almost certainly handle German naval buildup better than Wilhelm did. (yes he didn't actually serve yet but his teaching was still probably primarilly in Naval stuff).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top
Top