Chapter 717 - 332: Turmoil in Germany

For the countries of Europe, the 1880s were undoubtedly a fortunate decade. Although the European situation wasn’t entirely peaceful, there were no super wars involving the great powers.

For Spain, this was an exceedingly valuable time for development. Spain could safely develop its industry and economy, quietly catching up with the major powers in a corner unnoticed.

For Carlo, a calm situation meant more leisure time. Carlo preferred to spend his leisure time with his family, focusing together on the growth of his children.

In such a peaceful situation, time quickly approached the year 1888.

In theory, 1888 should have also been a tranquil year, but the death of a monarch caused some ripples in Europe’s originally calm situation.

German Emperor William I was born in 1797 and was undoubtedly the oldest monarch in Europe. During William I’s reign, the Kingdom of Prussia won the Prussian-Danish War, the Austro-Prussian War, and the Franco-Prussian War, directly establishing the current dominant German Empire in Europe.

But whether a king or an emperor, William I was just an ordinary person. Being an ordinary person, he naturally had to go through the birth, aging, sickness, and death that everyone experiences.

By 1888, German Emperor William I was nearly 91 years old. In an era when the average life expectancy in Europe was only thirty or forty years, 90 was already considered very elderly.

But it was apparent that human lifespan roughly reaches its limit there. From the beginning of 1888, news came from Germany that William I’s health was gradually deteriorating, and he could no longer handle state affairs.

Everyone understood that this empire’s founder would eventually die. Currently, everyone was most concerned about the political changes in Germany following William I’s death and whether these changes would impact Europe’s situation.

Even Spain awaited news from Germany and closely monitored Germany’s allies, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

Carlo didn’t have to wait long. On March 9, 1888, the Captain of the Guard, Brad Herrera, came hurriedly, bringing Carlo the news everyone was waiting for: "Your Majesty, according to a telegram from the German government, German Emperor William I passed away a few hours ago."

In fact, Carlo only knew that after William I, it was his son, the Hundred Days Emperor Frederick III. After Frederick III, is what everyone knows as German Emperor William II.

As for the time of William I’s death, Carlo only knew it was this year, but not the exact date.

Upon hearing the captain’s report, Carlo nodded, with little expression on his face.

Carlo had already experienced the deaths of his father, Vittorio Emanuele II, and his mentor and friend, Prime Minister Prim, so he wasn’t significantly moved by such news anymore.

Moreover, William I himself died of natural causes, and his passing was a good thing for both Germany and himself.

Even though Germany was at its peak at the time, it didn’t need an emperor with too long of a reign. His son, Frederick III, was called the Hundred Days Emperor primarily because he had throat cancer, which was untreatable given the medical conditions of that era.

Yet, if William I had lived a few years less, could his son have enjoyed a few more years of the emperor’s life?

The longevity of William I and the short life of Frederick III had a significant impact on Germany, indirectly leading to Germany’s defeat in World War I.

Why say this? Merely three months after William I’s death, his son Frederick III also followed his father to heaven.

This quickly brought the German Empire’s throne to William I’s grandson, the last monarch, William II.

At that time, William II was only 29 years old, and coupled with his physical defect, he became very proud and sensitive.

A young monarch and an elderly, influential, real-power-holding prime minister would find it very hard to form any close cooperation.

Indeed, this was the case. After William II ascended to the throne as emperor, the political career of Iron Chancellor Bismarck also basically drew to a close.

The biggest difference between the German Empire during William I’s reign and William II’s reign was Germany’s diplomatic situation.

During William I’s German Empire, Germany’s main enemy was only France, and its allies included Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Russia.

But during William II’s German Empire, as the German government exposed more ambitions for colonies and naval power, Germany’s diplomatic relationship with the United Kingdom gradually drifted apart, and it could no longer maintain a nominal ally relationship with Russia.

This led Germany’s enemies to change from one France into the three great powers of England, France, and Russia, leaving only Austria-Hungary and Italy as allies.

The outcome of World War I became apparent; William II’s German Empire not only could not defeat external foes but also failed to solve internal threats within the empire.

In the latter stages of the war, William II was essentially sidelined. This is why he became the scapegoat after the war ended, having to abdicate.

Carlo didn’t have time for such sentiments; his primary focus remained on the reactions of the European countries to the German Emperor’s death.