Otto Von Bismarck came from a family of junkers in Brandenburg. He was sent away to a Berlin university when young and this helped shape his political views. In 1862 he became the Prussian chancellor and he had big plans for his country. He intended to unite Germany under Prussian rule while stopping any liberal advances at the same time. He hated liberalism, democracy and socialism. Bismarck believed that he could achieve his goals by controlling the people and manipulating them for his purposes, through the use of charismatic leaders, the granting of limited power, or even the use of the army, if necessary. Bismarck wanted to gain the support of the lower class and gain a popular vote that he could use against the liberals and Austria. The manipulation and use of the leaders of other countries was also a key part of initiating his ultimate goal, German unification.
Engraving of Otto von Bismarck
Foundation of the German Empire in Versailles, 187...
Preussischer MinisterpräsidentBismarck was an extreme loyalist who was willing to stop at nothing to complete the goals of Kaiser William.
"I want to play the tune the way it sounds to me or not at all... my pride bids me command rather than obey"
-Otto Von Bismarck
Bismarck believed in power. In a famous speech, he declared that "iron and blood" (meaning war and industry) would gain unification, not speeches and declaration as in the revolution of 1848. His campaign called for an active foreign policy, and emphasized that Prussia had to keep its power together at all times, because the people of Germany didn't look at Prussia's liberalism, but at its power. He had three main aims, the defense of the king, the unification of Germany and war with Austria.
Bismarck's foreign policy was ruthless and opportunistic he believed in the unification of Germany but was determined it should...