Topic-1: Otto Von Bismarck's Foreign Policy: Assignment HSB-675: MODERN WORLD (1871-1992)

ASSIGNMENT
HSB-675: MODERN WORLD (1871-1992)
Topic-1: Otto von Bismarck’s Foreign Policy
Submitted By
Mohiul Zaman
B.A (Hons) History
Semester-VI
En. No-GK3783
Faculty No-17 HSB-44
Submitted To
Dr. Nazer Aziz Anjum

Centre of Advanced Study, Department of History
Aligarh Muslim University
ALIGARH-202002 (INDIA)
2019-20
Otto von Bismarck’s Foreign Policy
Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg (1 April 1815 – 30 July 1898),
known as Otto von Bismarck, was a conservative German statesman who masterminded the
unification of Germany in 1871 and served as its first chancellor until 1890, in which capacity he
dominated European affairs for two decades. He had previously been Minister President of
Prussia (1862–1890) and Chancellor of the North German Confederation (1867–1871). He
provoked three short, decisive wars against Denmark, Austria, and France. Following the victory
against Austria, he abolished the supranational German Confederation and instead formed the
North German Confederation as the first German national state, aligning the smaller North
German states behind Prussia. Receiving the support of the independent South German states in
the Confederation's defeat of France, he formed the German Empire (which excluded Austria)
and united Germany. Bismarck was the greatest politician and diplomat of his times. He
endeavored his best to make Prussia a topmost power in Europe. His contemporary politicians
accepted his skill and genius. The influence he exercised on Europe can be clearly discerned by
his foreign policy.
The New Germany
Under Bismarck’s leadership, the new Germany emerged as the dominant power in central
Europe. According to historian Kenneth Barkin,
“When Bismarck became prime minister of Prussia in 1862, the kingdom was universally
considered the weakest of the five European powers. Less than nine years later Prussia had been
victorious in three wars, and a unified German Empire had emerged in the heart of Europe,
arousing envy and fear among its rivals. When Bismarck left office in 1890, after 28 years as
prime minister of Prussia and 19 as chancellor of the German Empire, the map of Europe had
been changed beyond measure. The European centre, characterized by a weak conglomeration of
small and medium-sized states for centuries, was now home to the foremost military and
industrial power on the Continent.”
[Image Source: oel-bild.de/Bilder/Reichskanzler-Otto-Fuerst-Bismarck.jpg, accessed on April
28, 2020]
Aims of Bismarck's Foreign Policy
Bismarck’s aims for Germany’s foreign policy would have been somewhat surprising for his
contemporaries. Bismarck claimed that, upon achieving his goal of unification, Germany was a
“satiated” power, eager to consolidate their position of international power and move forward
with a specific domestic agenda. To this end, Bismarck had following goals for German foreign
policy.
 Goodbye to Territorial Expansion: Bismarck completed the unification of Germany in

1870 for which he had to incorporate several states into Prussia. People of Europe began
to consider him as a great expansionist but after 1870, Bismarck assured the people that
‘Germany is a saturated country’ and he would not indulge in wars any more.
 Continental Interest: After becoming Chancellor of the German federal state, he
declared that Germany was a continental country and not a colonial one. He did not pay
much attention to the establishment of colonies beyond the seas and his diplomacy
remained confined to Europe only.
 Land Interests: Bismarck used to call Germany a land rat. He never tried for the
development of naval force nor he ever organized a fleet because he always considered
himself to be a hero on land and did not wish to spoil his relations with England by
making Germany strong in navy.
 Preservation of European Peace: Bismarck believed that after her unification and
transformation into an empire, Germany was a satiated power and that her best interests
lay in supporting the status quo. He was particularly concerned that the rivalry between
Austria and Russia in the Near East should not result in a war in which Germany would
have to make a choice as to which power to support. Much of his efforts were devoted to
solving the Eastern Question.
 Concentration on European Issues: Bismarck believed that Germany‘s main interests
lay in Europe, not in the Balkans, the Near East or Africa. He did not want a colonial
empire and remarked: ―My map of Africa lies in Europe. However, he was forced under
popular pressure to seek colonial expansion.
 Isolation of France: The Franco-Prussian War left bitter memories in France. It seemed
probable that at an appropriate future date France would embark upon a war of revenge.
Bismarck regarded this as the chief danger, which the German Empire had to face.
However, Bismarck was convinced that by herself France would not be able to attack the
German Empire with success. Hence, she might seek allies to wage a war of revenge on
Germany and attempt to recover Alsace and Lorraine. Therefore, Bismarck was
determined to prevent France from obtaining allies and isolate her and ensure the safety
of the German Empire.
 Prevention of anti-German Coalition: Since France was unlikely to start a war, except
with the support of an ally; Bismarck made it his policy to keep on good terms with
Austria, Russia and England. This consideration led to the policy of forming alliances,
important being the League of Three Emperors (Dreikaiserbund) and the Dual Alliance.
Bismarck felt that the best way to prevent other powers from taking an active interest in
interfering in European affairs at Germany‘s expense was to divert them to clashes with
each other in areas where German interests were not involved. For example, he
encouraged France in her ambitions in Africa, particularly in Tunis, so that she might
forget the Rhine. Bismarck also encouraged England in Egypt and Italy in North Africa.
 Special Attention towards Russia: Russia could be a friend of France. Therefore, the
foreign policy of the German Empire since 1871 had been the maintenance of peace and
the prevention of anti-German coalition and the pivot of his policy was Russia.
 Friendship with Austria: Austria could also join hands with France as she was also
defeated in 1866 by Bismarck in the battle of Sadowa but he managed to have friendly
relations with Austria from 1879 to 1914 and did not allow France to break out of her
isolation by establishing harmonious relations with Austria.
 Policy of Appeasement towards England: Bismarck knew well that England was
following the policy of ‘Splendid Isolation’ because she considered herself to be a
colonial country. Bismarck did not increase his naval force nor established colonies, so
that he could ingratiate himself with England and her favor. Thus he adopted the policy
of appeasement towards England to avoid bitterness with her.
 Distrust of Italy: Bismarck had no faith in Italy. Though Italy was a small country, yet
she was very clever. Bismarck used to call her a jackal due to her opportunistic attitude.
 Disinterest in Eastern Question: Bismarck always regarded the Eastern Question as a
useless riddle. He used to say that “I do not open the mail that comes from
Constantinople.” So long as he remained in the chair, he did not take any interest in the
Eastern Question.
 Worried about Triple Alliance: Bismarck considered Germany, Austria, Russia, France
and Italy to be the powerful countries of Europe. He always regarded England to be a
separate entity in the European politics and always planned to be united with at least
three. Once he said to the Russian ambassador:
“You forget the importance of being a party of three on the European chess board.
Nobody wishes to be in a minority. All politics reduce themselves to this formula; try to
be trios in a world governed by five powers.”
Conclusion:
 Bismarck has long enjoyed a formidable reputation in the field of foreign affairs. He
prevented the formation of any hostile coalition against Germany and obtained for his
country recognition of her great power status.
 His foreign was based around the principles of keeping France isolated and Russia and
Austria on good terms. The first of his principles he largely achieved although this were
beginning to unravel by the time of his resignation in 1890 as Russia and France moved
closer together.
 His handling of the Congress of Berlin and the Bulgarian crisis helped to prevent war in
Europe. The Congress of Berlin in 1884 helped to solve many colonial disputes between
the great powers.
 He restrained Austrian ambitions in the Balkans while his successors did not and this
contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
 He failed however to neither keep both Austria and Russia on good terms nor could he
reconcile France to the loss of Alsace Lorraine.
 The biggest criticism of Bismarck (and of his contemporaries) was his disregard for the
interests and wishes of the peoples of small nations who were seen as pawns in a great
game of chess between the great powers. At the Congress of Berlin the actual wishes of
the people living in the Ottoman Empire were ignored.
References:
1. Hukam Chand Jain and Krishna Chandra Mathur, A History of the Modern World (Jaipur:
Jain Prakashan Mandir, 2018), pp.250-259
2. Engene D’ Souza, Landmarks in World History (Manan Prakashan, 2018), pp.162-166
“European History”, http://www.historyhome.co.uk/europe/bismarck.htm, accessed on April

27, 2020.
2. “Aims of Bismarck’s Foreign Policy”, https://article1000.com/aims-bismarcks-foreign-

policy-2, accessed on April 28, 2020.
3. Aubrey Collins, “Bismarck’s Foreign Policy”, https://slideplayer.com/slide/10055111/

accessed on April 28, 2020.
4. Prachi Mital, “What was the Foreign Policy of Bismarck?
https://www.preservearticles.com/history/what-were-the-foreign-policy-of-bismarck/14696
accessed on April 28, 2020.

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ASSIGNMENT

HSB-675: MODERN WORLD (1871-1992)

Topic-1: Otto von Bismarck’s Foreign Policy

Dr. Nazer Aziz Anjum

Aligarh Muslim University

The New Germany

Aims of Bismarck's Foreign Policy

 Goodbye to Territorial Expansion: Bismarck completed the unification of Germany in

2. Engene D’ Souza, Landmarks in World History (Manan Prakashan, 2018), pp.162-166

“European History”, http://www.historyhome.co.uk/europe/bismarck.htm, accessed on April

2. “Aims of Bismarck’s Foreign Policy”, https://article1000.com/aims-bismarcks-foreign-

3. Aubrey Collins, “Bismarck’s Foreign Policy”, https://slideplayer.com/slide/10055111/

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