Easily one of the most intriguing personalities I have ever crossed in my study of history, Otto Von Bismarck plays a most crucial role. With about as legitimate a claim as would exist as the “father” of German unification, Bismarck changed Europe, and in turn the world, forever.
Pegged in hindsight as a Bonapartist, Bismarck the Junker came from a highly privileged class. While his political tactics may have been debated as controversial, it is undeniable that he had an uncanny vision. His vision was crossed with the conventions of the time for a member of his status. This cross was the byproduct of his “realpolitik,” a philosophy that has carried significant influence in Western society.
Brought in as an answer to the rising liberal movement, Bismarck began by appeasing the majority, lulling them under his influence in his effort to create a successful “white revolution.” His revolution from the top down materialized in 1863, with Prussia’s invasion of Denmark. Regaining the duchy of Schleswig, a surge of nationalism arises, and his master plan moves along.
How I would have loved to have been present in a meeting with Bismarck and other Prussian officials as he architected a plan for innocent imperialism. The brilliance of his plan is nothing short of awesome. As I’m sure he would have expected, Austria declares war on Prussia, and also according to his plan, Prussia proves vastly superior on the battle field. Nationalism again surges.
The created war with the French was one of aggression, built from years of animosity towards past empire, and one that morally and philosophically I totally disagree with. With that being said the brilliance displayed in Bismarck’s cunning is nothing short of spectacular. In an era of an emerging media, he successfully manages to manipulate not only the German states, but the French as well. Once again the facade is created that the Germans are merely on the defensive, innocent in effect.
With the crushing defeat of the French, and the proclamation of the German empire, Bismarck etched his place in history. The man behind the unification created the most powerful state in Europe, and most importantly an industrialized Europe. Not wishing for a two sided war, Bismarck architected an intricate system of treaty’s. While preserving peace throughout his political career, diplomats of lesser skill would live to see these agreements deteriorate into the bloodiest conflict in human history.
I would assert that no one character was more influential in the creation of the two world wars than Otto Von Bismarck. The creation of an unnaturally powerful state, and a German identity had long reaching consequences that proved to be very severe. My purpose in this summary of events is not to analyze what happened after Bismarck, but merely to state my awe to his political ability and his the almost unbelievable manner in which he changed the world. Never again may the world see a character fill a role quite Bismarck, for better or for worse.
You seem quite taken with power politics. Bismarck was a very unique diplomatic force. But his role has been filled by many characters in many unifying scenarios, with nobler tactics. Ghandi comes to mind for some reason. Or Tito (though not so much the moral superior). Either way, his ability to appease all parties, through indemnity and so forth, made him irreplaceable. His exit from German politics in the 1890's started a long downhill journey.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Otto von Bismarck is the most fascinating person in German history, save Adolph Hitler. Throughout our readings and discussions of Bismarck, I couldn't help but wonder how his Realpolitik would function in the modern world, and what he would champion if he were alive and active in politics today. Surely his "blood and iron" political philosophy would not be welcomed or tolerated in the age of the United Nations and politically correct politics. I'm sure he also wouldn't care.
ReplyDeleteClearly you are in awe of Bismarck's abilities but you save yourself when you say that he lead a Germany for "better or worse." He was a very controversial, unique figure. I wonder who he could be compared to in modern society and also how he was able to be so "smooth" and able to create so many followers. He had the combination of political intelligence and military intelligence, which is very rare. He is definetly an interesting figure but pales in comparison to Hitler.
ReplyDeleteBismarck remains a controversial figure in history. While his achievements are hard to deny, the results of his actions for future generations as well as the degree of success that he achieved are still topics of debate. Certainly he had an astute sense of the politically possible as well as of the constraints within which he could operate. While some argue that the nation he created was from the beginning fatally flawed, other note that the possibility for reform continued to exist and it was the fault of later generations, not Bismarck himself, that German history in the twentieth century went so wrong.
ReplyDelete