Otto von Bismarck

The father of modern Germany who wasn't a Kaiser, Otto von Bismarck was a crucial figure in
the growth of the German Empire. Much has been made about Bismarck's politics and decision-
making in power. Still, he didn't always seem destined to be instrumental in creating a German
Empire or Kaiserreich. Let's see how his early life moulded him into the political behemoth that
he would become.

Early life

Otto von Bismarck was born in Schönhausen, Prussia, in 1815 into a family of Prussian
noblemen or Junkers. He was sent to a prestigious school in Berlin and later attended the
University of Göttingen to read law. A mediocre student, he then joined the Prussian civil
service but, finding it dull, he left to work on his father's estates.

In the years before Bismarck's entrance into politics, little is known about his activities. One
thing is for sure, for a time, Bismarck embraced his rural lifestyle.

His origins bled into his initial views when he entered politics. After his marriage to Johanna in
1847, Bismarck became involved in Lutheranism. In 1851 Frederick Wilhelm IV (King of
Prussia) appointed him as a representative of the German Confederation.

Bismarck honed his knack for diplomacy as a foreign ambassador for Russia and France,
developing a dislike for Austrians when on duty in Frankfurt. He also realized that for Prussia to
remain relevant, it would need to lead a unified German nation.

KEY TERMS

Kulturkampf
Refers to power struggles between emerging constitutional and democratic nation states and
the Roman Catholic Church over the place and role of religion in modern polity, usually in
connection with secularization campaigns.
North German Confederation
A confederation of 22 previously independent states of northern Germany with nearly 30
million inhabitants, formed after Prussia left the German Confederation with allies. It was the
first modern German nation state and the basis for the later German Empire (1871–1918) when
several south German states such as Bavaria joined.
Realpolitik
A term used to describe the foreign policy of Bismarck whereby morals, nationalism, and
ideology are cast aside in favour of practical reasoning.
Junker
The name for a Prussian nobleman. They owned vast amounts of land in the countryside and
ruled over the peasants. The Junkers also wielded significant political influence over the King of
Prussia and, later, the Kaiser.
Lutheranism
A form of Protestantism that formed as a reaction against the Catholic Church in the Holy
Roman Empire in the 16th century.

Prime Minister

When Wilhelm I became King of Prussia, he failed to garner political support from the Prussian
parliament or Landtag for his military spending and expansion plans. He thought about
resigning before the appointment of Bismarck as his Prime Minister in 1862. By this
point, Bismarck was ardent in his desire to unite the German states under Prussian rule.

The passive Wilhelm, who needed to preserve his power, provided the perfect foil
for Bismarck. Over the next ten years, Prussia would move from a peripheral force to the
centre of the Kaiserreich, the supreme power of continental Europe, but how did this happen in
such a short space of time?

Otto von Bismarck Unification of Germany

As Prussia was simply a state in the Austria-dominated German Confederation, there seemed
little chance that it could become a major player in the German Empire in less than ten years.
Bismarck had a plan, though, one dripping in the blood he had promised! Let's examine the
three significant conflicts that Prussia partook in, the chess-like Bismarckian rationale behind
them, and the result.
Conflict Participants Bismarck's Rationale Result

By attacking the two

prominent Danish
Second- The two states became part of
Prussia and states, Schleswig and Holstei
Schleswig the German Confederation
Austria VS n, Bismarck would gain
War (1864 after the Treaty of Vienna in
Denmark territory for the German
) 1864.
Confederation and maintain
the trust of Austria.

Prussia wanted to replace

Austria as the dominant force
After the defeat at the Battle
"Seven in the German
Prussia and Italy of Königgrätz, Prussia made a
Weeks Confederation. A pretense for
VS Austria and deal with Austria to spare
War" the attack was found in
Bavaria, Saxony, Vienna but only on the
or Austro- the Second-Schleswig War.
Hanover, and condition that Prussia would
Prussian An alliance with Italy would
other German be the leading force in a
War (1866 divert Austrian forces south,
southern states new North German
) and Prussian forces decisively
Confederation.
defeated Austria in seven
weeks.

Prussia and their allies' swift

After defeating Austria, which defense and manpower
formed Austria-Hungary, defeated the French. The
Bismarck still needed to deal French lost the Battle of
Prussia, member
with the southern states that Sedan and became occupied.
s of the North
Franco- had fought against him. When The North German
German
Prussian France tried to reassert their Confederation annexed Alsac
Confederation,
War (1870 authority across Europe, e-Lorraine, and French
and German
-71) Bismarck vowed to protect embarrassment was complete
southern states
the southern states in return when the first Kaiser, Wilhelm
VS France
for their cooperation in a I, was crowned in Versailles.
future German Empire. They The German Empire was
agreed. unified, and
the Kaiserreich was born.
Bismarck effectively maintained the same position when Wilhelm was King of Prussia. However,
his title changed from Prime Minister to Chancellor.

Chancellor

As Chancellor of a new state, Bismarck continued to be the driving force behind German politics
under Kaiser Wilhelm I. He was keen to create a sense of national identity and closely
intertwined this with his political interests.

It was vital that the Kaiser cement his status after a turbulent decade. Therefore, all roots of
potential opposition needed to be weeded out. For this reason, Bismarck spent time sparring
with the Roman Catholic Pope and the papal influence on German legislation during a period in
the 1870s known as Kulturkampf ('Culture Struggle').

However, in 1887 he made peace with the church, having achieved his goal of reducing their
input. Ever the pragmatist, Bismarck also went after the Social Democrats, who were becoming
a political threat, eliminating any challenge to Prussian dominance.

He possessed not only a long-term national and international vision but also the short-term
ability to juggle complex developments. As the leader of what historians call “revolutionary
conservatism,” Bismarck became a hero to German nationalists; they built many monuments
honoring the founder of the new Reich. Many historians praise him as a visionary who was
instrumental in uniting Germany and, once that had been accomplished, kept the peace in
Europe during the 1870s and 1880s through adroit diplomacy.

Bismarck was successful in his role as Chancellor in maintaining peace and at least delaying war
until Wilhelm II's reign. This was in stark contrast to his aggression as Prime Minister when he
edited a telegram of Wilhelm I's to insult France so they declared war on Prussia. Finally,
in 1884 when European powers began to divide up Africa under the Kaiserreich, Bismarck
played a crucial role in the conference in Berlin.

Domestic Policy
At home, rapid industrial developments took place, and the modernization of
the Kaiserreich was evident. Its military might dovetailed a series of impressive reforms, which
can arguably be referred to as the first modern welfare state. Here is an overview of some of
the reforms:

 1883: Establishment of a national health service that was free for all. Germany was the
first country worldwide to do this.
  1884: The introduction of Accident Insurance allowed workers to be covered for any
illnesses or injuries incurred as a result of their job.
 1889: State pensions allowed people to be supported when they retired. Again, the
German Empire was the first country to introduce this groundbreaking scheme.

In other words, despite the decisive military action and resistance to his opposition that earned
him the 'Iron Chancellor' moniker, Bismarck is overwhelmingly remembered as a force for good
in German politics. Other states would follow such initiatives due to Germany's success.

Otto von Bismarck Personality

There is much to dissect about the policies of Bismarck. His knack for anticipation, particularly
in foreign policy, has made him a towering figure in German history. However, his early life
would not suggest such glory. A distant relationship with his mother characterized Bismarck's
childhood. Typically, Junkers would be schooled at home, but Bismarck had to go to school
in Berlin. It seemed like his mother wanted to free herself from parental responsibility, which
stayed with Otto for most of his life.

A great leader, Bismarck sought to hide his formative years in his memoirs, Reflections and
Reminiscences. He made life difficult for those close to him with the 'need to possess Johanna
(his wife) entirely'.2 He also did not allow his son Herbert to marry a Catholic and forced him
into a life of diplomatic service. The lack of equality in his personal relationships was the
drawback to his forensic understanding of politics and his superiority complex that made him a
great leader.

Otto von Bismarck Quotes

We have seen the famous line from Bismarck's 'iron and blood' speech; now, let's examine
some of his political musings with quotations straight from the horse's mouth!

Politics is the art of the possible.

We Germans fear God, but nothing else in the world.

Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.

Otto von Bismarck Death

When Wilhelm II became Kaiser, Bismarck felt marginalized and was eventually forced to resign
in 1890. The new Kaiser's dominant personality and aggressive foreign policy did not align with
Bismarck's "realpolitik". He described his feelings in later life as oscillating between boredom
and tiredness. The death of his wife in 1894 heightened his unhappiness, and by 1898 he had
developed inflammation of the lungs. Bismarck died later that year.
In a final swipe against Bismarck, Wilhelm II did not give him a state funeral. Posthumously
Bismarck declared that it had been an honour to serve Wilhelm I and his country, with no
mention of the current Kaiser. He was gone, but his legacy lived on - even acting as propaganda
for Adolf Hitler during World War II!