Friends in high places : Prince Philipp zu Eulenburg and William II of Germany / by James I. Martin.
| Author/creator | Martin, James I. author. |
| Other author | Campion, Loren Keith, 1930- degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of History. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 1980. |
| Description | 267 leaves ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | Philipp zu Eulenburg and Emperor William II of Germany shared a relationship of both a personal and political nature. From their initial meeting in 1886 for two decades. both men derived important benefits from their association. On the one hand, Eulenburg provided William with a companionship which had never been afforded him previously by those around him. Simultaneously the Emperor provided the politically ambitious Eulenburg with opportunities for increasing the influence of himself and his friends, particularly Baron Friedrich von Holstein of the German Foreign Office. It was in this second area that the true historical significance of the relationship lay. Eulenburg's influence did not really come into its own until the Bismarck chancellorship crisis of 1888-1890. In this situation Eulenburg established himself as the intermediary between William and Friedrich von Holstein, by enlisting Eulenburg on opposing Bismarck's anti-Socialist and anti-labor legislation, and concessions to Russia, helped Holstein, to create an environment in which only a minor impetus, in this case Bismarck's use of the Prussian Cabinet Order of 1852, which required officials of the Ministry of State on official business to consult with the Prussian Minister President before confronting the Prussian King, could sever the ties between Kaiser and Chancellor. Eulenburg continued his intermediary's role during the regimes of Chancellors Leo von Caprivi and Chlodwig zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsf st. Personal ambition and political expediency caused him to forego his conservative ideological concerns and usually cooperate with Holstein in maintaining the Kaiser's support for the chancellors' governments. Accomplishing this latter goal often proved difficult, for William possessed adamant conservative convictions and it required constant persuasion from Eulenburg as well as Hoistein to lead him to modify his stance on such Reichstag issues as the Big Army Bill (1891-1893), the Zedlitz School Bill (1892), and the military courts-martial controversy (1896-1897). Similarly, William's desire to establish a "personal regime" led him into conflict with his chancellors. Finally, Eulenburg occasionally collaborated with William in contravention of Holstein's aims--towards the end of better serving the interests of family and friends. The appointment of Bernhard von B ow as German Foreign Secretary in 1897 marked the apex of Eulenburg's influence at the Imperial court. Billow obtained his post through Eulenburg's assistance, but once appointed, however, the flattering, conniving intriguist proceeded to usurp Eulenburg's position as the Kaiser's chief confidant. Also, as advancing middle-age and increasing illnesses set in, Eulenburg grew increasingly critical of tile Emperor, causing the latter to depend more than ever on B ow and to steer his own course. Holstein received his death blow in 1906, when he was caused to leave the Foreign Office because of his supposed concessions to France during the Moroccan crisis of 1905. Almost psychotically paranoid, Holstein, rather than allying himself with a similarly rejected Eulenburg, chose to blame the latter for his own fall, and out of revenge inaugurated a press campaign, the Zukunft affair, which eventually resulted in Eulenburg's total ouster from the Imperial circle. The Kaiser never again associated with his older friend, demonstrating most thoroughly the true nature of the relationO ship--an opportunistic association which had lost its reason for existing after one party failed to continue fulfilling his role in the association. |
| General note | "Presented to the faculty of the Department of History ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in History." |
| General note | Advisor: Loren K. Campion |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 1980 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 251-267). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
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