Wilhelm II POD

What if Wilhelm II was born normally, and had a fully functioning, non-crippled left arm? A fairly simply POD, but one that IMO could have far reaching effects. What say you, AH.com?
 
Well, maybe he won't have so much of an inferiority complex and engage in the blustering bravado that we're so fond of. So fewer grandiose portraits, less awesome mustache, etc.
 
Well, maybe he won't have so much of an inferiority complex and engage in the blustering bravado that we're so fond of. So fewer grandiose portraits, less awesome mustache, etc.

more or less, maybe feels less of a need to impress or over power his male relations, to be as strong as cousin Nicky or Georgie
 
Not to say it can't or shouldn't be done again, but don't we have a timeline on this from a long way back?

It almost certainly would have some impact on his mother and thus what she did in regards to him, which can't help but be at least somewhat related to how he grew up (or didn't).
 
Here's the wiki page, but the search function is broken right now. I don't know how to find the actual thread.

No worries. Since the search function is working as of now, I found it: https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=31000

Given how influential Wilhelm II was on events - not always in the way he desired - a different Kaiser Wilhelm II could be a very big deal.

Even if nothing much changes in the big picture until he becomes kaiser, that's still a long period to grace the world with his presence (or embarrass monarchists everywhere).
 
more or less, maybe feels less of a need to impress or over power his male relations, to be as strong as cousin Nicky or Georgie

This will depend on his personality and character, that those three important men didn't go along had to do with all three personalities (and their upbringing).
At the same time the newly re-united an thus young Germany was a great power on the European continent and the Germans wanted to the be taken seriously, since the previous centuries of division had resulted in a minor role; and to a certain degree Wilhelm II also tried to be the emperor his subjects wanted him to be.
 
if Wilhelm didn't have the personal insecurities he had IOTL it would be far less likely for him to separate from the (relatively) strong relationship with his parents. personally i don't think it would be enough to stop Bismark from his attempts to marginalise the crown prince, Wilhelm could have looked more kindly on the progressive attitude of his father.

he would have by no means been stable or pursue a less invasive position in politics it may have become more benign and less an attempt to strengthen a position of absolutism.
 
Top