Answer:
Bismarck’s seemingly impregnable position had a weak spot: the emperor had to regard him as indispensible. The old emperor, William I, remained faithful until his death on March 9, 1888. He never forgot that Bismarck had saved him from “liberalism” in 1862. Frederick III, his son and successor, was bound to Bismarck by memory of the triumphs of 1870. Liberal in phrase, he was at best National Liberal and, like the other National Liberals, would have made his peace with Bismarck in exchange for a few concessions. He was already a dying man when he took the crown, however, and his reign of 99 days ended on June 15, 1888.