Two years ago in 1888
Was the Germans' Year of Three Emperors
Wilhelm I died at ninety, a great
Period of German growth and success
But Bismarck had used Machiavellian ways
To manipulate the king, keep a grip
On actual power. Frederick III was less
Authoritarian, but throat cancer stopped
A more liberal Germany as he slipped
From life. Wilhelm II seemed to hate
His mother, Queen Vic's daughter, Vic, and forced
The building of a rival navy. Tipped
Also toward war, Russia would regret
Liberal Alex's death by mad bombers
The last line refers to the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881.
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