| Otto von Bismarck: The Iron Chancellor |
Otto von Bismarck, considered the founder of the short lived German
Empire, was born on April 1,1815 at Schönhausen in Saxony, the year
that Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo. One of the most significant
political figures of the 19th century, he took Germany from a weak and
disjointed small principalities into a powerful empire that dominated
Europe by the end of the 19th century.
Empire, was born on April 1,1815 at Schönhausen in Saxony, the year
that Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo. One of the most significant
political figures of the 19th century, he took Germany from a weak and
disjointed small principalities into a powerful empire that dominated
Europe by the end of the 19th century.
He shaped the fortunes of Germany for nearly three decades as prime minister of Prussia and as
Germany's first Chancellor. He descended from Prussian aristocrats and held the title Graf from his
birth. His father, Ferdinand von Bismarck, was a former military officer; his mother, Wilhelmine
Mencken, belonged to a rich, but common family. Otto and his siblings grew up on the family estate,
Kniephof. Bismarck was no angel in his youth. He entered Prussian service after reading law at the
Universities of Göttingen and Berlin, where he filled his days with non-academic pleasures such as
fencing, gambling, riding and ladies. In Aachen, he became a judicial administrator in 1837 at the age
of 22, but was dismissed from his job after crisscrossing Germany for months without permission as
he followed his first great love.
Germany's first Chancellor. He descended from Prussian aristocrats and held the title Graf from his
birth. His father, Ferdinand von Bismarck, was a former military officer; his mother, Wilhelmine
Mencken, belonged to a rich, but common family. Otto and his siblings grew up on the family estate,
Kniephof. Bismarck was no angel in his youth. He entered Prussian service after reading law at the
Universities of Göttingen and Berlin, where he filled his days with non-academic pleasures such as
fencing, gambling, riding and ladies. In Aachen, he became a judicial administrator in 1837 at the age
of 22, but was dismissed from his job after crisscrossing Germany for months without permission as
he followed his first great love.
When he returned to Schönhausen he became engaged in local politics. He
married noblewoman Johanna von Puttkamer in 1847, and he became a
Pietist Lutheran. In 1851, he was chosen to represent Prussia in the Federal
diet, and in 1859, he was sent as ambassador to Russia, from where he was
recalled in March 1862 to become French ambassador.
married noblewoman Johanna von Puttkamer in 1847, and he became a
Pietist Lutheran. In 1851, he was chosen to represent Prussia in the Federal
diet, and in 1859, he was sent as ambassador to Russia, from where he was
recalled in March 1862 to become French ambassador.
However, Bismarck returned to Berlin as prime minister of Prussia six months later. Here, he began
as a representative of Prussian Junker interests, but he also sought to gain the support of Germany's
rising industrial class. His goal was to unify Germany. Once accomplished, he became a master
diplomat capable of shrewdly balancing alliances to keep the European peace, primarily by isolating a
militaristic France which had tormented, plundered and coveted German lands for centuries.
as a representative of Prussian Junker interests, but he also sought to gain the support of Germany's
rising industrial class. His goal was to unify Germany. Once accomplished, he became a master
diplomat capable of shrewdly balancing alliances to keep the European peace, primarily by isolating a
militaristic France which had tormented, plundered and coveted German lands for centuries.
Bismarck created the North German Alliance made up of Prussia and 17 northern German states.
After the German-Danish War of 1864, which forced Denmark to cede Schleswig-Holstein to Austria
and Prussia, he succeeded in defeating Austria and excluding it altogether from Germany in the war
of 1866. The sudden emergence of a powerful Prussia was a shock to many, including Great Britain
who enjoyed her control over almost a quarter of the of the world's surface.
After the German-Danish War of 1864, which forced Denmark to cede Schleswig-Holstein to Austria
and Prussia, he succeeded in defeating Austria and excluding it altogether from Germany in the war
of 1866. The sudden emergence of a powerful Prussia was a shock to many, including Great Britain
who enjoyed her control over almost a quarter of the of the world's surface.
The imperial constitution was declared in April, 1871 and Bismarck was appointed imperial
chancellor, not responsible to parliament but to the Emperor. The Reichstag, the imperial parliament,
was convened by universal, equal, direct and secret elections. The German Reich was a federation
of 25 states which all maintained their own constitutions responsible for some internal matters.
There was a Parliament elected by universal suffrage and with budgetary rights but also with a high
proportion of Prussian members. Chancellor was the most important institution next to Emperor.
It was Bismarck as Imperial Chancellor who decided upon policy outlines and who proposed the
appointment and dismissal of state secretaries who were in turn responsible for the administration
of the ministries of the Reich.
chancellor, not responsible to parliament but to the Emperor. The Reichstag, the imperial parliament,
was convened by universal, equal, direct and secret elections. The German Reich was a federation
of 25 states which all maintained their own constitutions responsible for some internal matters.
There was a Parliament elected by universal suffrage and with budgetary rights but also with a high
proportion of Prussian members. Chancellor was the most important institution next to Emperor.
It was Bismarck as Imperial Chancellor who decided upon policy outlines and who proposed the
appointment and dismissal of state secretaries who were in turn responsible for the administration
of the ministries of the Reich.
Bismarck knew that in order to survive in the modern European world it was imperative for the
German states to unite. While he had been firmly against this idea in his youth and had no sympathy
for the struggles of the 1848 rebellions, he grew to recognize the grave situation the German states
would find themselves in if they remained small and powerless at a time when other European
nations were building vast empires.
German states to unite. While he had been firmly against this idea in his youth and had no sympathy
for the struggles of the 1848 rebellions, he grew to recognize the grave situation the German states
would find themselves in if they remained small and powerless at a time when other European
nations were building vast empires.
Two years after Emperor William II’s accession, Bismarck was forced to
resign on March 18, 1890, but the forty years following the foundation of
the German empire were the years of peace in Europe. He had a long,
happy marriage and three children. For the last eight years of his life, he
resided at his Friedrichsruh estate near Hamburg, writing hundreds of
editorials. He also enjoyed giving speeches on trips through Germany and,
after his reconciliation with the Emperor, turned into a living legend even
before his death, a mythical figure of German national greatness. He died
at Friedrichsruh on July 30, 1898. Bismarck was often compared by his
followers with an oak tree, the symbol of the German soul and the
German national character since the eighteenth century.
resign on March 18, 1890, but the forty years following the foundation of
the German empire were the years of peace in Europe. He had a long,
happy marriage and three children. For the last eight years of his life, he
resided at his Friedrichsruh estate near Hamburg, writing hundreds of
editorials. He also enjoyed giving speeches on trips through Germany and,
after his reconciliation with the Emperor, turned into a living legend even
before his death, a mythical figure of German national greatness. He died
at Friedrichsruh on July 30, 1898. Bismarck was often compared by his
followers with an oak tree, the symbol of the German soul and the
German national character since the eighteenth century.
During Bismarck's era, Germany gained global respect. Towns and cities were named in his honor.
Several great American writers and artists went to Germany to receive an education. German
Americans enjoyed a period of respect as well, and their ethnic institutions were at their heyday,
while German songs, customs, clothing and food were in vogue in large parts of the United States.
In 1883, one commentator noted with wonder, "The German notion that it is a good thing to have a
good time has found a lodgment in the American mind." German-Americans of the era, unlike their
Puritan counterparts, were known for their relaxed enjoyment of family life and they helped
popularize family entertainment: music, picnics, dancing, card playing, swimming and other physical
activities were among the pastimes introduced by German immigrants.
Several great American writers and artists went to Germany to receive an education. German
Americans enjoyed a period of respect as well, and their ethnic institutions were at their heyday,
while German songs, customs, clothing and food were in vogue in large parts of the United States.
In 1883, one commentator noted with wonder, "The German notion that it is a good thing to have a
good time has found a lodgment in the American mind." German-Americans of the era, unlike their
Puritan counterparts, were known for their relaxed enjoyment of family life and they helped
popularize family entertainment: music, picnics, dancing, card playing, swimming and other physical
activities were among the pastimes introduced by German immigrants.
Bismarck towers, above, are a unique German monument phenomenon to honor Bismarck. The towers were built
on four continents, Australia, South America, Africa and Europe. Only 172 of 240 Bismarck towers still remain in
Germany, Austria, France, Russia, Chili and the formerly German parts of the Czech Republic and Poland.
on four continents, Australia, South America, Africa and Europe. Only 172 of 240 Bismarck towers still remain in
Germany, Austria, France, Russia, Chili and the formerly German parts of the Czech Republic and Poland.
Had the German states never been consolidated into an empire, their days would have been short
lived indeed, and they would inevitably have been swallowed up by aggressive neighbors on all sides.
At the same time, however, it was not the better or even the natural course of action for the German
psyche. The old order of entrenched European powers regarded the new German empire with
festering fear, jealousy and simmering resentment. It would take but a blink of an eye in human
history for them to eliminate the competition, and it would cost millions of lives.
lived indeed, and they would inevitably have been swallowed up by aggressive neighbors on all sides.
At the same time, however, it was not the better or even the natural course of action for the German
psyche. The old order of entrenched European powers regarded the new German empire with
festering fear, jealousy and simmering resentment. It would take but a blink of an eye in human
history for them to eliminate the competition, and it would cost millions of lives.
Young Bismarck travelled to England, which in great part contributed to his lifelong inspiration to
unite the German states into a similar empire. Upon his mother's death in 1839, Bismarck had taken
over management of his family's estate in Pomerania and was involved in some wild escapades
which earned him the name “the mad squire.”
unite the German states into a similar empire. Upon his mother's death in 1839, Bismarck had taken
over management of his family's estate in Pomerania and was involved in some wild escapades
which earned him the name “the mad squire.”
The Alliance threatened France's historic dominance in Western Europe as well, eventually resulting
in the Franco-Prussian War. The specific event triggering the war was the staged attempt by
Bismarck to place a German prince on the Spanish throne. To resist France being bound on each
side by the proposed German-Spanish coalition, Napoleon III predictably declared war on the
German Confederation on July 19, 1870. French military leaders were confident of victory. But as
Bismarck had calculated, the southern German states perceived Napoleon III as the aggressor, and
the kingdoms of Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden and Hesse joined Bismarck and the Northern
German Confederation, placing their armies under the command of the widely-respected Prussian
king, Wilhelm I.
in the Franco-Prussian War. The specific event triggering the war was the staged attempt by
Bismarck to place a German prince on the Spanish throne. To resist France being bound on each
side by the proposed German-Spanish coalition, Napoleon III predictably declared war on the
German Confederation on July 19, 1870. French military leaders were confident of victory. But as
Bismarck had calculated, the southern German states perceived Napoleon III as the aggressor, and
the kingdoms of Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden and Hesse joined Bismarck and the Northern
German Confederation, placing their armies under the command of the widely-respected Prussian
king, Wilhelm I.
In the end, the size, organization and leadership of the
German military under General Helmuth von Moltke proved
to be decisive, allowing them to win most of the battles and
the war. This was contrasted with the lack of coordination
and efficiency in the French military. After repeated and
humiliating defeats, Paris fell on January 28, 1871, with an
armistice signed the same day. The Treaty of Frankfort
formally ended the war on May 10, 1871.The German
Empire, or Deutsches Reich, had been declared.
German military under General Helmuth von Moltke proved
to be decisive, allowing them to win most of the battles and
the war. This was contrasted with the lack of coordination
and efficiency in the French military. After repeated and
humiliating defeats, Paris fell on January 28, 1871, with an
armistice signed the same day. The Treaty of Frankfort
formally ended the war on May 10, 1871.The German
Empire, or Deutsches Reich, had been declared.
The Franco-Prussian War resulted in not only the unification of northern and southern German
states into the German Empire, but to the overthrow of Napoleon III and the establishment of the
Third French Republic; French dominance in Western Europe ended, Alsace-Lorraine (which had
been seized by France in the 17th seventeenth century) was annexed back into the German Empire,
and the Papal States were annexed into a unified Italy after French troops withdrew to fight in the
war. France would simmer in jealousy and resentment for the next half century.
states into the German Empire, but to the overthrow of Napoleon III and the establishment of the
Third French Republic; French dominance in Western Europe ended, Alsace-Lorraine (which had
been seized by France in the 17th seventeenth century) was annexed back into the German Empire,
and the Papal States were annexed into a unified Italy after French troops withdrew to fight in the
war. France would simmer in jealousy and resentment for the next half century.
In 1889, under his tutelage, Germany became the first nation in the world to adopt an old-age social
insurance program in order to both promote the well-being of workers and also to keep the German
economy operating at maximum efficiency and to thwart calls for more radical socialist alternatives.
Participation was mandatory and contributions were taken from the employee and the employer for
government retirement benefits and disability benefits. Workers' compensation programs and a
"sickness" insurance program were established that gave the Germans a comprehensive system of
income security based on social insurance principles in 1844.
insurance program in order to both promote the well-being of workers and also to keep the German
economy operating at maximum efficiency and to thwart calls for more radical socialist alternatives.
Participation was mandatory and contributions were taken from the employee and the employer for
government retirement benefits and disability benefits. Workers' compensation programs and a
"sickness" insurance program were established that gave the Germans a comprehensive system of
income security based on social insurance principles in 1844.
In 1878-79 Bismarck implemented significant economic reforms which made Germany one of the
strongest financial powers in Europe, one of the chief assets of which was the putting of Tariffs on
iron and grain. Bismarck also developed a common currency, a central bank, and a single code of
commercial and civil law for Germany before his policies began to come under attack.
strongest financial powers in Europe, one of the chief assets of which was the putting of Tariffs on
iron and grain. Bismarck also developed a common currency, a central bank, and a single code of
commercial and civil law for Germany before his policies began to come under attack.
One year after the assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln in 1865 by John Wilkes Booth, an
attempt was made on Bismarck's life. As Bismarck was making a speech in Unter den Linden on May 7,
1866, anarchist student Ferdinand Cohen-Blind forced his way up through the crowd, pulled a revolver out
of his coat and fired at the Chancellor. The bullets caused only slight bruising on Bismarck's ribs.
Cohen-Blind's pockets were found stuffed with anarchist and communist literature. He killed himself in
prison the next day.
attempt was made on Bismarck's life. As Bismarck was making a speech in Unter den Linden on May 7,
1866, anarchist student Ferdinand Cohen-Blind forced his way up through the crowd, pulled a revolver out
of his coat and fired at the Chancellor. The bullets caused only slight bruising on Bismarck's ribs.
Cohen-Blind's pockets were found stuffed with anarchist and communist literature. He killed himself in
prison the next day.
In 1874, a fanatical Catholic cooper's apprentice named Eduard Kullmann also made an
attempt to shoot Bismarck at Bad Kissingen; this attempt failed as well, although it injured his
right hand. Kullmann was immediately arrested and condemned to a 14 year prison term,
followed by another seven years, during which time Kullmann died. Later, in 1878, two
attempts were also made to assassinate Kaiser Wilhelm I., the first by Emil Hödel, an
ex-Social Democrat, the second by Karl Eduard Nobiling, an anarchist; both attempts failed.
attempt to shoot Bismarck at Bad Kissingen; this attempt failed as well, although it injured his
right hand. Kullmann was immediately arrested and condemned to a 14 year prison term,
followed by another seven years, during which time Kullmann died. Later, in 1878, two
attempts were also made to assassinate Kaiser Wilhelm I., the first by Emil Hödel, an
ex-Social Democrat, the second by Karl Eduard Nobiling, an anarchist; both attempts failed.
Schönhausen
Schönhausen, the stately manor house of Bismarck's birth was established by his ancestors between 1695 and 1700. It
was used by the family until 1944 when it was put to use as a military hospital, after which it was used to house refugees,
then the elderly. On August 2,1958, the place was blown up by the communist East German government for "ideological"
reasons. The gate house is all that remains of yet another piece of German cultural history.
was used by the family until 1944 when it was put to use as a military hospital, after which it was used to house refugees,
then the elderly. On August 2,1958, the place was blown up by the communist East German government for "ideological"
reasons. The gate house is all that remains of yet another piece of German cultural history.
| "Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war." |
| "He who is not a socialist at 19, has no heart. He who is still a socialist at 30, has no brain." |
| "I have seen three emperors in their nakedness, and the sight was not inspiring." |
| "People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, and before an election." |
After the German victory, Wilhelm I accepted the title of emperor and the power in all of Germany
passed to Hohenzollern Prussia.
passed to Hohenzollern Prussia.
