Otto von Bismarck
1815–1898
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Following the revolution of 1848, Bismarck was elected to the Prussian parliament and later chosen as the country’s envoy to Frankfurt, where discussions over a potential Northern German union were being held. Although he originally opposed the unification of the German states, Bismarck began to agree that such an idea might be the only way to counter Austria’s rising influence and allow Prussia to remain a significant power. After eight years in Frankfurt, a newly inspired Bismarck returned to Prussia and was appointed Prime Minister by William I, in an effort to appease the increasingly liberal parliament. Bismarck remained a highly unpopular politician during his early years as Minister, but the king supported him for fear that a liberal ministry might follow his resignation.
Bismarck brought about Germany’s unification by initiating and emerging victorious from several wars, most importantly the Franco Prussian War that convinced the southern states of North Germany’s cause. Celebrated as a hero, Bismarck was elected Chancellor of the new Empire. He began his reign with an anti-Catholic campaign, meant to check the power of the Church, that ultimately failed but won him new support. He also passed several Anti-Socialist laws that restricted socialists’ influence and disbanded workers’ unions, though he tried to reconcile with the working class by instituting several reforms. He was a skilled diplomat, and he spent his later years promoting peace in Europe. He ruled until his dismissal by William II prior to the First World War, a conflict that he himself predicted before his discharge.
Key events during the life of Otto von Bismarck:
| Born | |
| Married Johanna von Puttkamer | |
| Revolution in Prussia | |
| Elected to Prussia's lower house of legislation | |
| Was appointed as Prussia's envoy at the Diet in Frankfurt, meant to discuss possible unification | |
| Served as Prussian Prime Minister | |
| Became Chancellor of North German Confederation | |
| Designed modern-day German empire | |
| Became Chancellor of Germany | |
| Dismissed by William II | |
| Died |
| Book Links |
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Other Resources
| Count Von Bismarck in | Famous Men of Modern Times by John H. Haaren |
| The Man of Sedan in | The Story of France by Mary Macgregor |
| Old Empire and the New in | Historical Tales: German by Charles Morris |
| The Franco-Prussian War in | Nations of Europe and the Great War by Charles Morris |
| Bismarck and the Empire in | Nations of Europe and the Great War by Charles Morris |
| Founding the German Empire in | Growth of the British Empire by M. B. Synge |
| Schleswig and Holstein in | The History of Prussia by John S.C. Abbott |
| Policy of Count Bismarck in | The History of Prussia by John S.C. Abbott |
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
 After the Battle of Sedan; First meeting of Napoleon III and Bismarck in Boys' Book of Battles |
 Napoleon III and Bismarck at Sedan in Famous Men of Modern Times |
 Bismarck at Versailles in Famous Men of Modern Times |
 Bismarck in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Schonhausen Church; Interior in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Luise Wilihelmine von Bismarck in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Karl Wilhem Ferd. von Bismarck in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Bismarck in 1834 in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Bismarck in 1848 in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Princess Bismarck in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
Bismarck in 1860 in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Bismarck in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 The capitulation at Sedan in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Bismarck and his dogs in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Napoleon III and Bismarck on the morning after the battle of Sedan in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 The Congress of Berlin, 1878 in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Friedrichsruhe in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
 Emperor Frederick in Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire |
The Berlin Conference in Back Matter |
Prince Von Bismarck in Back Matter |
Proclamation of the German Empire at Versilles in Back Matter |
Bismarck Before Paris in Back Matter |
 Prince Bismarck in Two German Giants |
 Chairs were brought that Napoleon and the minister might sit out of doors in The Story of France |
| Nephew of Napoleon, elected emperor of France after revolution of 1848. Deposed after disastrous Franco-Prussian War. | |
| First Kaiser of a United German Empire. With Bismarck as Chancellor, defeated Austria and France. | |
| Became first king of a United Italy after Garibaldi handed over control of Naples. Previously Savoyard King of Sardinia. |