In 1888, the German Emperor, Wilhelm I, died leaving the throne to his son, Friedrich III. The new monarch was already suffering from an incurable throat cancer and died after reigning for only 99 days. He was succeeded by his son, Wilhelm II, who opposed Bismarck's careful foreign policy, preferring vigorous and rapid expansion to enlarge Germany's "place in the sun".[84]
Germany ramped up the colonization/”chartered company” of Africa in 1883-84 under Wilhelm I who gave the Chancellor basically free reign concerning foreign and domestic policy. Historians still question his sudden departure from his original position.