Bismarck Research Paper

Prince Otto von Bismarck was seen as both a political genius and a power monger, like a Prussian version of Alexander the Great by the people. Bismarck was a conservative, who used the people around him to reach his goals; and in doing so, he pitted people against one another. According to the book 19th Century Germany: Politics, Culture and Society 1780-1918 by John Breuilly, modern historians have found it very hard “to separate the man from his achievements” (Breuilly 172). The historians have run into a roadblock that consists mostly of

As president, Bismarck led Germany into unification through his opportunism and his various policies. Charismatic yet aggressive by nature, Bismarck was known for his ability to seize opportunities and manipulate situations to his advantage. It is debatable whether or not Germany would have achieved unification under the power of anyone other Bismarck. In his 1996 book The Problem of the German Nation State, Wolfgang Mommsen said, “Bismarck’s policies- admirable or satanic... occupy centre stage.” This is particularly true for his infamous policy of “blood and iron”. Also, Bismarck’s diplomatic abilities are able to be seen when looking at his foreign policy of 1871 to 1890. Bismarck’s policies and opportunism are predominantly evident when looking at the Three Wars.

Bismarck’s decisions and policy effected the first World War when he used a series of conflicts to bring Germany together but also create several enemies. One of these enemies being France played a big part in World War I later because Germany took the former French territory of Alsace- Lorraine. This conflict that took place during the time of Bismarck’s reign gave France a motive to fight against Germany. Wilhelm on the other hand played a far bigger role in the war. Because of a quarrel amongst Serbia and Germany, he asked Austria- Hungary to attack Serbia and thus pulling Britain, France, and Russia into the war (“Firstworldwar”). his aggressive tactics and need for power created many enemies and caused the German Empire to lose a lot of power leading up to the war.

It has been said by several historians that the second half of the nineteenth century was the ‘Age of Bismarck.’ In the mid 1800’s Bismarck provided dynamic leadership- a trait which had been lacking during the events of 1848-89. Ian Mitchell stated “Bismarck was everywhere.” However, there has been a considerable degree of debate concerning the role of Bismarck in the unification of Germany. Some argue that unification would have been inevitable and had nothing to do with Bismarck, although others argue that the unification was solely down to Bismarck’s role. There are differing opinions on whether Bismarck was a planner or an opportunist or whether he was merely just

Prince Otto von Bismarck was seen as both a political genius and a power monger, like a German version of Alexander the Great by the people. Bismarck was a conservative, who used the people around him to reach his goals; and in doing so, he pitted people against one another. According to the book 19th Century Germany by John Breuilly, modern historians have found it very hard “to separate the man from his achievements” (Breuilly 172). The historians have run into a roadblock that consists mostly of “Bismarck’s individuality and his responsibility for the political development of the Empire” (Breuilly 172). Bismarck was known to support nationalism and patriotism, and he believed in the Burschenschaften or student organizations. He also believed in the concept of faith in power, more in ideas. Bismarck only cared for two things: Prussia and Prussian power, and he would do anything to obtain Prussian domination. Although Bismarck did not care for Germany, he was all for German Unification. Historians cannot decide if Bismarck’s legacy is positive or negative but they agree that he was a “brilliant and shrewd tactician who succeeded in postponing the problem of political mobilization for 60 years” (Breuilly 172). In Otto von Bismarck, some people saw a great man who was ahead of his time, while others saw nothing more than a bloodthirsty power monger, who wanted a united Germany to

Economics in the seventeenth and eighteenth century were dominated by the idea of mercantilism. Mercantilism depended on the cooperation between colony and mother country in the shipping and production of raw materials. Domestic industry increased employment, expanded commercial activity within the country and decreased France's dependence on foreign trade. The success of a Mercantile system relied on the government, participating merchants, even nobility and the working class, all had effects on the success of the French economy.

Otto Von Bismarck was an important Prussian leader in the nineteenth century that is best known for his responsibility for achieving the unification of Germany (Hollyday, 14). Bismarck reached his goal of unifying Germany through military action, as well as through sharp internal political tactics (Hollyday, 14). Some of his significant militaristic accomplishments include the victory of the Franco-Prussian war which was crucial in the steps towards a unified Germany (Hollyday, 15). There is no doubt that Bismarck was an exceptional military leader, but his victories on the battlefield can be attributed to the fighting execution of his Prussian forces. The Prussians fought with heavy hearts as they pushed for a unified state, as they were commanded by some of the best generals the world had to offer at the time (Scientific American, 184). Although Bismarck is known for his achievements while commanding armed forces, he also had many problems to fix with his nation internally. A main problem that Bismarck faced was with the German liberals that opposed some of Bismarck’s conservative actions (Hollyday, 14-15). He eventually won over the liberals by compromising with some measures that were supported by the liberals (Hollyday, 15). All of Bismarck’s achievements cement his legacy of being one of the most influential and decorated political leaders of all time. Bismarck discussed the importance of a unified dynasty when he said, “In order that German patriotism should be active

had one of the best education rates to be seen in a long time. Along

Kaiser Wilhelm II came to power in 1888 after Wilhelm I died and a brief reign from Frederick III, his behaviour could be unpredictable and although he was the grandson of Queen Victoria he was anti-British, however he admired them at the same time. He believed in the divine right of kings, the theory claimed that, kings were only answerable to God, and it was sinful for their subjects to resist them. Wilhelm II was determined to exercise much more direct control over government than his grandfather, this was apparent in 1890 when Wilhelm disagreed with Bismarck’s anti-socialist policies, colonial expansion and relations with Russia, consequently Bismarck retired

Another example of Bismarck using Realpolitik was when he passed Social Welfare reforms, such as sickness insurance, accident insurance, disability insurance and a retirement pension, helping the country, while hurting the Socialists. Bismarck’s vision for Germany, his use of war, repression, Realpolitik, and exercising secular power was left as a legacy when Bismarck left office in 1890, leaving Germany as a unified country, feared and respected by the Great

Realpolitik is the practice of dealing with realistic and practical ideas. It can be seen when governments interact in straightforward and goal oriented ways. The quote by Otto Van Bismarck shows how corrupt and distrustful governments can be, to the point that people are expecting to be lied to. Even when someone tells the truth, they believe it’s a lie. The second quote has the same meaning. Government officials are always cynical of everyone because you will rarely find people who tell the truth in politics. The bottom line is that realpolitik is hard to put in practice because even when you are trying to be honest and realistic with your dealings, people will be cynical and believe you are lying.

Economic Factors in Unification of German People in the 19th Century There is little debate about the factors concerned in nineteenth century German unification, the argument commences when the most important is put to question. To find the most important we must surely look to the primary factors, the instigating forces, or seeds if you will, that are required for the formation of a Nation State. The great Bismarck was a leader that undoubtedly showed much initiative and many would attribute the unification of the German speakers to his efforts, but the economic necessaries came long before the man who used them. When the various factors are combined Bismarck appears nothing more than a

In 1861, Wilhelm I succeeded Frederick William to the throne. The liberal parliament declined his cash for changes that would twofold the armed force's quality. Wilhelm saw the parliaments refusal as a noteworthy test to his power. He was upheld in his perspective by the junkers, unequivocally moderate individuals from Prussia's well off landowning class. In 1862, Wilhelm picked A traditionalist junker named Otto Von Bismarck as his PM. Bismarck was an expert of what came to be known as a real politick. This German expression signifies "the legislative issues of reality." The term is utilized to portray intense force governmental issues with no space for optimism. With realpolitik as his style, Bismarck would get to be one of the directing

Bismarck, to many historians, was known for his ability to manipulate the Prussian government, and alliances with other nations to achieve his goal to create the German Empire with the Prussian Kaiser as its leader. Through his idea of Realpolitik, to do whatever deemed necessary to reach a goal, Bismarck manipulated the different parts of the Prussian government and the Foreign policy to unite the German States under the leadership of Prussia’s Kaiser. The problem with Bismarck using Realpolitik is that he could have used illegal methods or methods that exceeded his authority as Prime Minister. Bismarck used methods that exceeded his given authority as Prime Minister, from 1862- 1871, to a small extent. The Kaiser had given Bismarck power that exceeded that normally given to a Prime Minister, but through the expansion of powers of Prime Minister before he entered office, many of Bismarck 's actions were found to be within his authority.

Bismarck Claims The Credit For German Unification In the early 19th Century, the growth of nationalism and the growing economic strength of the German states was very great. The German's shared a common identity in the form of language race and heritage such as music, literature and poetry. The growing improvements in communications and transport also brought the states one step closer together. The reduction of the number of German states from 365 to 39 states made each state more economically and militarily stronger.