Upon his enforced retirement and until his dying day, Bismarck became a bitter critic of Wilhelm's policies, but without the support of the supreme arbiter of all political appointments (the Emperor) there was little chance of Bismarck exerting a decisive influence on policy.
Logo do seu retiro forzado, ata o día da súa morte, Bismarck converteuse nun duro crítico das políticas de Guillerme II, pero sen o apoio do árbitro supremo de todas as designacións políticas (o emperador), había pouca oportunidade para que o vello chanceler puidese exercer algunha influencia.