These events made it obvious that on matters of internal policy a permanent agreement between the Emperor and the Chancellor was impossible.

It seems that Bismarck therefore offered to resign his post as Minister President, maintaining only the general control of foreign affairs.

But this proposition did not meet with the approval of the Emperor.

There were, however, other grounds of difference connected even with foreign affairs; the Emperor was drawing closer to England and thereby separating from Russia.
By the middle of March, matters had come to a crisis.

The actual cause for the final difference was an important matter of constitutional principle.