Looking at Prussian/German politics of the period, it looks like at least for foreign policy, Bismark was pulling strings and Wilhelm just went along. Is this accurate?
Additionally, while I know roughly why it happened, can we infer how much of an effect the falling out of Bismark and Wilhelm II had with regards to the direction of German policy from 1890 onwards?
Dear /u/Goat_im_Himmel, while I am flattered by your choice of words, calling me "a power behind the throne", I feel the need to correct you. You see, I like to say that I had the privilege to serve three Hohenzollern monarchs, Kings of Prussia and German Emperors, in my lifetime. As you probably already know, it was His Imperial and Royal Majesty Wilhelm I (well, back then only Royal) who appointed me as his Minister President in 1862. Granted, His Majesty was in a unpleasant situation back then due to his conflict with the parliament over the military reform budget issue. He was even thinking about abdicating in favour of his son, Friedrich Wilhelm, the later Friedrich III, in face of what he saw as unrelenting parliamentary opposition to his budget and his reign. You see, the blithering small minds in parliament would not support the ambitious reform program necessary to maintain Prussia's military primacy.
I offered myself to H. M. as a stalwart servant who had the nerve to force the issue of military reform, bypassing the entire parliament if necessary -- and I did it. As Minister President I ruled Prussia in H. M.'s name in opposition to parliament and constitution for four years, until 1866, when history had proved me correct after all. Prussia's reformed military might had decidedly triumphed over Denmark and Austria and rallied many German states behind us as I had predicted in front of the unreasonable members of parliament in 1862.^1
During these first years of my Minister Presidency, between 1862 und 1866, I earned the deep trust of H. M. and I would say that we built a good working relationship. The King was a military man first, raised in almost knightly manners, an unremitting gentleman, and perhaps for our tumultuous time a bit too old-fashioned. I took it upon myself to educate, uh, I mean inform him regularly about the political developments, domestic and abroad, in our personal meetings. I'm proud to say that I always had his ear in the most important manners. If we were to meet personally and privately, I was almost always able to convince H. M. of my factual and reasonable arguments. But unfortunately H. M. was also subjected to the female influence of his wife, Princess Augusta, who resented me during my entire time in her husband's service. Her sentiment was often foolishly liberal and pacifist as it befits her gender. If H. M. and I were in disagreement over an issue, I was always able to tell when her words were coming out of the mouth of her husband.
Well, I don't want to digress further. To answer your question, mein Herr, I prefer to see myself as H. M.'s most faithful servant and trusted advisor. When I used to counsel H. M., Wilhelm I, we always agreed on the most reasonable course of action to take. As you already seem to have guessed, his grandson and I didn't share the same close relationship. His Royal and Imperial Majesty Wilhelm II, successor to the most unfortunate Friedrich III, does not have the same common sense and far-sightedness as his grandfather. The youngest Wilhelm is chronically ill-advised and indulges himself in military gadgetry like overdesigned warships. He has a soft spot for his lowest subjects and shares her sentiments. I fear the worst for his proud House.
Yours sincerely, v. Bismarck
^1 The famous "blood and iron speech" in front of the budget committee of the Prussian House of Representatives during the constitutional crisis on September 30, 1862. Bismarck speaks out against liberal reform and voices his belief in a military ("durch Eisen und Blut") solution to the German question.
Okay, so I dont know how helpful this will be, but I'll try my best.
Otto Von Bismark, had a tremendous ammount of power behind the throne of Fredrick Wilhelm. Bismark engineered three limited wars that ultimately lead to the unification of Germany.
2)1866 vs Austria-- Bismark engineers this confilct with Austria because Austria stands in the way of Germany unifying. Bismark has a dispute with parliament over the need of modernizing the army. The modernization of the army pays off because Prussia ends up beating Austria. Bismark doesn't go for the throat, and rather shows restraint believing that Austria could be an ally down the line.
3)1870-71 Franco Prussian War-- Bismark understands that attacking France is necessary because there are some German states aligned with France. Bismark gets lucky in Spain where the king dies. King Leopold(German) takes the bourbon(french) throne. The french catch wind of this and send a dispatch to the Kaiser. The Kaiser is at the Emms, a spa in switzerland maybe. but Bismark being the political mastermind he is, intercepts the dispatch, applies some creative editing, and sends it back to Napoleon III. Well old Napoleon III blows a gasket, declares war on Prussia, and gives Bismark the go ahead to win the war and unify Germany. It wasn't as easy as it sounds, the French had better rifles but the Germans had these Krupp canons which basically decided the fate of the war. Nap III gets captured. German forces get to Paris. they make France pay some money. Germany also takes "Suez Leraine" some land that France really liked.
Bismark realizes he made a mistake taking that land from France. He brokers the reinsurance treaty in Europe to try and prevent a 2 front war for Germany. Its a pretty big deal that says if either party gets in a war then the other has to remain neutral. 2 caveats:
1-- If its Germany vs France then Russia is unbound 2-- If its Russia vs Austria then Germany is unbound
Okay so thats just some of the power moves that Otto Von Biz Markie Mark was up to behind Wilhelm I.
Wilhelm I dies, and basically the whole thing goes to shit. His son Wilhelm II is arrogant, headstrong, and has a love of military. He also has no idea what he is doing. Naturally Bismark and Wilhelm II clash and Bismark is forcibly retired.
Its honestly a shame that Wilhelm II was so dumb. Bismark was really out there making moves for Germany and basically he reached his goal of unifying Germany, only to have Wilhelm II be an international bully and play an essential role in WWI.
Disclaimer: I am only a lowly Uni student. These statements are all from notes on my War and the Nation State class. If anyone knows anything else or has something different I would love to know as well. Also the towns in quotations are probably spelled incorrectly.
Hope I could help!