Otto von Bismarck, born on April 1, 1815, and departed on July 30, 1898, was a renowned German politician who served as the Chancellor of Germany. He is famously known as the mastermind behind the formation of the formidable German unit. Bismarck hailed from Schoenhausen, Magdeburg, Prussia, and was raised in a privileged Prussian family. His father, Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand von Bismarck, was not only a noble landowner but also a former officer of the Prussian Army. Young Bismarck was exposed to strict discipline during his upbringing, receiving a comprehensive education befitting his prestigious background.
However, in contrast, his mother, Luise Wilhelmine Mencken, hailed from a noteworthy military family in BerlÃnera and was the offspring of a high-ranking governmental figure. Interestingly, during his formative years, he displayed a diametrically different demeanor. He was a rebellious youth, uninterested in conforming to societal norms, and possessed a voracious curiosity. In fact, he flourished as an autodidact, exploring various topics on his own accord, leading to a life brimming with uncertainties surrounding both religion and politics.
As a child, he experienced the ultimate defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. His mother decided to send him to Berlin for his education, where he attended various schools such as the Plamannsche Lehranstalt, the Friedrich Wilhelm Gymnasium, and eventually the Grauen Kloster. It’s worth noting that Bismarck wasn’t the most outstanding student during his youth. However, during this time, he began to cultivate the notion that a republic was the most rational and fitting form of government. This indicates that Bismarck challenged the educational institutions of the era as he was influenced more by the bourgeois spirit and humanism rather than the monarchist-conservative tradition.
Back in 1832, he enrolled at Gottingen University with the intention of pursuing a degree in law. Among the many influential professors he crossed paths with, one that left a lasting impact on him was Arnold Heeren, a brilliant historian and public law professor. Bismarck greatly admired Heeren’s insights on the European political landscape, finding them inspiring and thought-provoking. During his time at the university, he also became a member of the Corps Hannovera student fraternity. However, his misadventures during his rebellious teenage years didn’t allow him to fully immerse himself in the academic world, leaving him somewhat unsatisfied with his overall experience. Nevertheless, Bismarck managed to successfully complete his studies and move forward.
Afterwards, he took up positions in the courts of Berlin and Aachen. This experience further solidified his dislike for bureaucracy and the formalities associated with a strictly regulated system. Suddenly, he abandoned his work in Aachen to embark on a journey with a captivating English woman. Several months later, he returned to resume his duties in Potsdam. While his superiors recognized his intelligence, they viewed his lack of discipline as a significant drawback. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he entered into matrimony. This marked the beginning of his foray into the realm of conservative politics. In fact, he initially served as a deputy in the Prussian Parliament starting from 1847, displaying a reluctance towards the advancing liberal ideologies prevalent throughout Europe during that time.
After 1848, his stances were referred to as conservative, solidifying his image as an embodiment of Prussian authority and military force. His firsthand experience with global affairs came from his diplomatic assignments in Frankfurt, St. Petersburg, and Paris. At this point, his nationalist political ideology encompassing constitutionalism and Germanic customs had already taken shape. Bismarck argued that his vision of unifying Germany should not rely on appealing to the masses, but instead on shrewdly employing diplomacy and military might. These notions led many to view him as a pragmatist devoid of idealism, sensitivity, or moral bias.
In 1862, King William I designated him as chancellor. This marked the beginning of Bismarck’s ambitious plan to establish Prussia’s dominance over the entire Germany, setting the stage for potential national unification. His initial priority was the restructuring and strengthening of the Prussian army. Once this was accomplished, they engaged in a series of military confrontations, emerging victorious in each: the War of the Duchies in 1864, where they allied with Austria to seize the German-speaking territories of Schleswig and Holstein from Denmark; the Austro-Prussian War in 1866; and the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, which was primarily a diplomatic conflict with France’s Napoleon III over the Spanish throne succession, with the aim of isolating France from European politics.
During each of those conflicts, Prussia experienced significant growth both in terms of power and territorial expansion. By 1867, Prussia had successfully united the majority of independent states in Germany to establish the Confederation of North Germany. This achievement was followed by the annexation of the French regions of Alsace and Lorraine. Furthermore, Prussia established a unified German Empire under the reign of William I, with the exception of Austria. Behind these triumphs, Bismarck skillfully implemented an internal policy that centralized authoritarian power, masking it with the semblance of constitutionalism through the establishment of the federal Constitution of 1871 and the introduction of universal suffrage. These measures were strategically undertaken to neutralize the influence of the middle classes.
Bismarck, in a strategic move, decided to collaborate with the liberals in order to weaken the impact of the Catholic Church and prioritize the concerns of wealthy landowners. This was achieved by implementing a policy of unrestricted trade. However, in 1879, Bismarck shifted his allegiance and aligned himself with the Catholic party, adopting protectionist policies that paved the way for the industrial revolution. During this period, Bismarck actively worked towards limiting the influence of the German workers’ movement. He achieved this by imposing the Antisocialist Laws, effectively outlawing the movement, while simultaneously attempting to win over the workers by introducing progressive social legislation.
He was an exceptionally shrewd and tactful chancellor who possessed great foresight. When it came to foreign affairs, he skillfully unified the newly captured Germany by pursuing two key strategies. Firstly, he formed strong diplomatic ties with Austria, Russia, and Italy, collectively countering the influence of France and preparing for any potential future conflicts. Secondly, he adeptly shielded Germany from the imperialistic chaos that was engulfing other European powers during that era. This impressive approach, however, posed a challenge when he clashed with Germany’s new emperor, Wilhelm II, who advocated for expanding Germany’s reach through overseas colonization.
In a surprising turn of events, the new emperor expressed his opposition towards Bismarck’s cautious approach to foreign policy, fueled by a desire for swift expansion. The clashes between Guillermo II and his chancellor were nothing short of extraordinary, with Bismarck displaying minimal regard for the emperor’s policies. The breaking point came in 1890 when William II implemented antisocialist laws, leading to their ultimate separation. However, this tense dynamic could only persist for a short while. Eventually, the emperor made the bold decision to replace Bismarck as both the Chancellor of Germany and the Minister-President of Prussia, appointing Leo von Caprivi to take charge.