Bismarck contribution to the unification of Germany

Essay by bilboHigh School, 11th gradeA-, May 2004

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Bismarck was a man with outstanding diplomatic skills and admirations to achieve exactly what he desired without compromise. In the earlier years of Bismarck's political career he desired aristocratic rule and complete loyalty to the 'Junker', rich, landowning aristocratic Prussian's. As Bismarck's political experience grew his views changed and he felt it necessary to move away from aristocratic rule and formed a view similar to nationalism. Many believe this was to simply give his own state of Prussia more power. Bismarck also desired better foreign policy. He was a reckless politician and went too extremes to achieve his goals.

Otto von Bismarck was born at Schönhausen, north-west of Berlin. His early life was wild and although attending university he was not studious and drank and gambled much of his wealth. Later in his life he undertook a religious conversion and took a keen interest in politics. In 1848 King William IV, King of Prussia made an attempt to unify the northern states which included Prussia.

Austria was strongly oppose to the unification movement because they would loose all power and they would be a small empire on their own surrounded by larger and more powerful empires such Germany, France and Britain. Austria was willing to go to war with Prussia although King William IV decided it was not worth the blood shed. Many people across Prussia criticised King Williams actions and felt he should preserver and fight the Austrian opposition . Bismarck felt the same way and thought war was not necessary at that stage. Bismarck's support to King William gained him much creditability and he was appointed as a Prussian envoy to attend the confederate Diet in Frankfurt, the diet was a forum for diplomats and envoys to express the view of their states. The confederate Diet of 1851...