"Was Kaiser William II’s disability publicly known?" Topic

Was the Kaiser's disabled left arm an open secret in the same way that FDR's paralysis was?

I have not found any wartime political cartoons making fun of the Kaiser's disability. He is depicted as a maniac but not a cripple. Is this due to courtesy and fair play or some other reason?

By the way, were there WW II axis cartoons portraying FDR's disability?

I wouldn't think so. Disabilities don't know national borders. Everyone has a friend or relative striken with some sort of issue. Making fun of the Kaiser's arm or FDR's paralysis would probably offend just as many of the people as you're trying to motivate.

That makes a lot of sense. However, I'm also trying to get a sense if the ordinary German citizen knew of the Kaiser's disability.

It seems like the average American of the 30's and 40's was vaguely aware of FDR's paralysis but it was never openly spoken of or shown in the media. I wonder how this compared to William.

I am not claiming to be the expert to answer your question. However, measures were taken to hide his disability from the public in both cases.

In KWII case his clothes were tailored and it was always made sure that his shorter arm had something to rest on. His mother, Queen Victorias oldest daughter, worried a great deal about the disability and it was known inside the family. IE: His uncle the King of England.

In Roosevelts case it was a different press and a different time. The reporters that have mentioned it were insiders and trusted to not say anything. Also Roosevelt himself made every effort to carry himself publicly as if he had no disability despite the pain it caused him to walk.

As far as propoganda goes. I think it wasnt a widely know piece of information. That is the only reason it wasnt used.

Well I never knew of it till now.

I remember it was a big deal when they did the FDR memorial and showed his disability.

One of the reasons you see FDR in photos driving around in a open car all the time was that it was so hard for him to walk.

nps.gov/fdrm/index.htm

Mike "Bunkermeister" Creek
bunkermeister.blogspot.com

Caveat: I do not support the use of such characterizations:

FDR's was widely known. My father tells me how his uncle (a staunch Wilkie supporter) used to refer to the President as "that cripple in the White House."

Both did go to great lengths to disguse the fact.

I would imagine that the press probably knew of it, but neither mentioned it nor dwelt upon it much at the time, since to do so would have brought considerable ire down on them in Germany at least.

It was indeed well known, it was obvious from early news film, which were shown in Imperial Germany. I've certainly seen French cartoons from the early 20th century which showed it. There were also significant concerns about his sexuality, which were again widespread in Germany, and the subject of French cartoons.

I concur with aercdr.

My wife's paternal granfather was not a fan of FDR, and when he died he yelled accross the yard "the cripple is dead".

Quite tasteless, but indicative of the common knowledge of his affliction.

My feeling is that since polio was such a common occurrance at that time, it wasn't as big a stigma as it seems today, although it was definitely something that was not publicized.

Plus, with all of FDR's charitable work at Warm Springs, it would hardly be a secret.

As for KWII, I do recall some talking head in a documentary suggesting that his bellicose nature was a form of compensation for his disability. I don't personally accept that point of view, but there you have it.

His right arm,however, was well trained. Played piano,developed a very tight grip with his right hand,and had quite a command of English also.

In the museum in the Kaiser's house in exile in Apeldoorn, they show a table set as it would have been for him. He had a special fork/knife made, so he could cut and spear food with one hand. So at least the people he was dining with would have known!