Otto Von Bismarck Iron Policy Analysis

736 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Unification of Germany in simple words

Before unification in 1871, Germany was simply a group of many small states that all spoke German and shared many things in common. However, many people tried but were not successful in bringing them together to create a single state. It was not until Otto von Bismarck's personal obsession to build a united empire at any material or human cost made it happen. The great loss of life and the inflexible goal became known as his "blood and iron" policy, finally pulling those many small states together to create one large and very powerful German nation. The blood is that of the soldiers spilled in all the wars that Bismarck's army had fought to conquer the neighboring countries in order to unify Germany. The iron stood for the strength of his leadership, because iron is hard, resistant and very strong. Bismarck was a very strong leader and he did not let anything or anyone get in his way. Also, iron represented all the weapons of the used by the soldiers that fought in the wars. Bismarck's ideal to create a unified and larger Germany was put into effect by forming an army and going to war against its neighbors, such as Denmark, Austria and France. Otto von Bismarck's personal goal of creating a German empire, and his method of overcoming any political obstacle in his way, together with his powerful policy of "blood and iron," helped lead up to the unification of Germany.
"The constitutional crisis brought Bismarck to power." (Graham) When Bismarck worked with the Minister of War von Ron and the Chief of General Staff Moltke William, they created proposals to convince the Prussian parliament to increase the size of the army and carry out various other army reforms. (Graham) The main reform of the army was increasing its s...

... middle of paper ...

...ed in their hatred for France since the Napoleonic Wars, when France had looted the German states and pressed an estimated 250,000 Germans into the French armies." ("Causes of the Franco") This war lasted around 6 months, and the German states, headed by Prussia, defeated the French forces.
Even though Bismarck's "blood and iron" policy created many conflicts throughout the years, he ended up turning Germany into one united state. How did Otto von Bismarck use "blood and iron" to unite Germany? He used his army (the "blood") to attack the neighboring countries and he used his strength and determination (the "iron") to get what he wanted once he did that. Bismarck could not have done what he did without the help of many people, but his strong character and his will to never give up on his goals, helped him turn 39 separate states into the Germany we know today.

Show More
Related

  • Austro-Prussian War - Bismarck's Influence

    1732 Words  | 4 Pages

    In 1866 the Austro-Prussian War broke out between the two German states of Prussia and Austria. There had been conflicts between the two in previous decades, but Prussia, under the command of Otto von Bismarck, had sought a more lasting split. Under Bismarck’s control, conditions had been orchestrated to make war possible between the two and to ensure Prussia’s victory. Thus, when the opportunity was presented by the Duchies question, Bismarck took his chance and provoked a war. The war itself was over in seven weeks, with a Prussian victory, it was important as it symbolized the permanent separation of the two states. Though the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 had origins before Bismarck, Bismarck actively chose to prepare for and provoke a conflict with Austria in hopes of removing its influence from the German states.

    Read More

  • Otto von Bismarck

    866 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bismarck believed that Germany should be united under Prussian leadership and that Austria should have nothing to do with Germany. Bismarck was chosen as chancellor by the Prussian king as he had a proven record as a monarchist and had little time for liberal and excessive parliamentary ideas. Bismarck helped his long term plan to unite Germany and to be the ruler by getting in a strong position with the king. The king owned Bismarck a 'favour´ as Bismarck had solved the king´s constitutional crisis. Bismarck played a crucial part in the unification of Germany as he helped to set up the Northern German Confederation after defeating Austria in the second of three wars.

    Read More

  • The Kaiser's Personal Rule

    1550 Words  | 4 Pages

    The German state was forged out of the fires of the Franco-Prussian war in 1871 by the Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Prussia was by far the largest and most dominant state of the 25 unified in the creation of Germany, with the King of Prussia automatically becoming the Kaiser (Emperor) of the German Reich. In 1888, Kaiser Wilhelm II ascended to the throne, obtaining absolute and total control of the country. However, there is still debate as to whether Wilhelm II exercised full control of Germany or if true power lay in the hands of others in the years preceding the First World War.

    Read More

  • The 1848 Revolution In Prussia And The Eventual Unification Of Germany

    1427 Words  | 3 Pages

    The war was the result of a succession dispute over the Spanish crown. What was seemingly a Prussian-Spanish alliance made the French feel encircled. Bismarck was able to entice Napoleon III into quick, aggressive action through the manipulation of Ems Telegram. This prompt action from Napoleon III led to growing anti-French and pro-German sentiment and led to the southern German states aiding the Prussian cause. William Carr has argued that South Germany’s involvement in Prussia’s cause meant that they had to come to terms with the new political situation. Although numerous southern states were reluctant to join the German Confederation, Bismarck therefore had to make numerous concessions. None the less the German Empire was born on the 18th January 1871. Harry Hearder argues that the North German Confederation already signified a unified German State. The declaration of the German Empire in 1871 re-emphasized the creation of a unified Germany and included the southern states. This would suggest that the Seven Weeks War with Austria had more significance in the eventual unification of

    Read More

  • President Wilson and the Treaty of Versailles

    1492 Words  | 3 Pages

    But what would ultimately lead to the outbreak of the first world war was Germany’s ever-increasing belief in militarism. The German military power had continued to grow as their industrial sector did the same; such power was seen as a symbol of national pride by the government. Other nations had built up their arms stockpiles as well, though they did not glorify it nearly as much as the Germans did. Nevertheless, the availability of arms, when combined with other political and economic factors, meant that a full-scale conflict was all but unavoidable.

    Read More

  • Dbq Essay On Otto Von Bismarck

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the late 1800s, Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck used different strategical plans in order to gain as much power possible, the majority of the plans consisted of him taking advantage of the different political parties. Bismarck used many traditional political strategies in order to gain the power he craved for, such as creating harsh laws and prohibiting certain beliefs or ideas. Unfortunately, these strategies did not satisfy the people, so Bismarck later started to increase the welfare of the working class, apologized to the Socialists, and did much more to obtain more political strength which eventually created a new conservatism. In an effort to increase political power for the Kaiser, Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck uses liberal and traditional

    Read More

  • Anti-Semitism: The Greatest Cause Of The Holocaust

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the 1800s Germany was not one single German nation, instead it was made up of 2 dozen German-speaking kingdoms. The reason for nationalists wanting to unite these Kingdoms was so that they could form a greater Germany (19th century anti-Semitism). Nationalists wanted Germany to be a nation that would go up against the economic and military power of Britain, France and Russia (19th century anti-Semitism). However, it was not an easy task to unite the Kingdom.

    Read More

  • The People Who Supported the Nazis

    1797 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...d they facilitated final result. The Army failed responsibility of the government, 1933 Tasset Support convinced Hindenburg to have Hitler as Chancellor. The German Bureaucracy never supported the system. Stresemann created National Myths about different areas of the government, such as showing that the Prussian king was communist through his fake documents. The Treaty of Versailles Peace terms did not match the outcome of the war because the Allies handled the peace settlement badly and Germany never disarmed. Hitler was a master demagogue received support from all segments of the population, but mainly middle class protestant. Hitler had the doors to power open for him without their assistance they could have not come into power.

    Read More

  • Otto Von Bismarck

    5206 Words  | 11 Pages

    The controversies surrounding his life still go on between historians today. He is portrayed as a destroyer of liberty and also as a compromiser of liberalism. Some see Bismarck as trying to preserve the old order of Europe. Bismarck worked against liberal plans for unification of Germany but stood proudly in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles as the German Empire he helped to create was proclaimed. Bismarck as man and as statesman has been a point of interests for many history scholars’ interpretations. Bismarck’s empire lasted only 20 years after him. Bismarck believed that armed force was necessary in relations among governments – Blood and Iron his methods. Through three successful wars Bismarck united Germany. With the creation of the 2nd German Reich Germany become the strongest nation on the continent. After the union of the German states Bismarck became an outspoken activist for peace on the continent. Bismarck never succumbed to the temptation of conquest. Bismarck led the German people to empire but is criticized by not training the nation in self-governing. Bismarck never talked about racial supremacy or unlimited conquest. He believed in a balance of power resting upon the existence of strong nation states.

    Read More

  • The Significance of the Night of Long Knives

    1923 Words  | 4 Pages

    In that year and half he had mastered the machine of State, suppressed the opposition. asserted his authority over the party and the SA, and secured for himself the prerogatives of the Head of the State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.’ I believe that gaining the support of the army was of the greatest significance in the ensuing aftermath of the Night of Long Knives. The army pledged an Oath of allegiance to Hitler and securing this patronage was fundamental. It facilitated Hitler’s consolidation of power as Reich Fuhrer and enabled Hitler’s totalitarian control of Germany.

    Read More

  • What Are The Causes Of The Revolutions Of 1848

    266 Words  | 1 Pages

    For Germany, they thought that a unified state would help secure personal liberties of its citizens and could keep them protected. The middle and working class were at this time united under a common goal of removing the conservative elite, but each class had very different reasons for wanting to achieve that goal. When the moment came in the revolutions of 1848 where Germany failed to become unified, the cause was the slow moving middle class and division within the working class that can explain why Germany went back to a conservative monarchy.

    Read More

  • The Effect Otto Von Bismarck's Leadership and Politics Had on Pre-World War I Tensions in Europe

    1821 Words  | 4 Pages

    Research will be drawn from many sources including several historical studies and online articles. The sources used revolve around Bismarck's attitudes and actions toward German unification and general policy. Sources include works by historians A.J.P. Taylor and James Wycliffe Headlam. The policies of Bismarck during the interwar period were researched as well, through several scholastic journals and written works.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Frederick The Great

    984 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Prussia Army increased state power through economic and social policies under the leadership of Frederick the Great. His economic and social policies were ever changing thus leaving other states questioning how this unlikely king become one of Europe’s major powers. Parker stated, “ through both argument and naked military force, Frederick wrung concessions from his territories that allowed him to collect taxes from each to support a single army and to recruit that force in all his lands.” As a result, he began to conceptualize that economy as operating under its autonomous laws and saw individual enterprise as the deregulation of production as the key to the growth of his army. In addition to a tax system, Frederick “compelled his young aristocrats to serve as an officer, and once they joined the army, only debility or death could release them.” Through this action the officer corps was created with a male of royalty and rich inheritance, thus increasing the economic power of

    Read More

  • Analysis of Guy de Maupassant's Two Friends

    1300 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Franco-Prussian War (also called the Franco-German War) was a military conflict between France and Germany that occurred from 1870 to 1871. The idea of a unified German nation was very popular at the time. The other major nations of Europe feared that a unified Germany would be a threat on the global stage. Germany had recently been victorious under Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in 1864 against Denmark and 1866 against Austria. These victories helped “establish Prussia as the dominant power among the German states” (“Franco-Prussian War”). Bismarck negotiated an alliance with the southern German states and prepared the Prussian army for war against France because Bismarck saw “French opposition as a major obstacle to German unification” (“Franco-Prussian War”).

    Read More

  • Factors Contributing to German Unification in 1871

    3039 Words  | 7 Pages

    Prior to unification in 1871 the territory that would become Germany was comprised of thirty-nine independent states and city states joined together in a loose German Confederation. The most powerful among these states was Prussia, both geographically the largest state and that with the largest population. The influential politicians and policies that came out of Prussia were instrumental in the gradual formation of a united Germany. Beginning with the rise of Napoleon, the nineteenth century was a time of incredible change which dramatically altered the political balance of Europe. In order to understand the factors that culminated in official German unification on January 18 1871, it is necessary to examine the preceding decades. No single factor can be credited for the unification of the German states. Rather, the combined forces of social change, economic strength within a unified customs union, the moral justifications provided by nationalism, Bismarck’s careful manipulation of internal politics and the advantages gained through military action resulted in the unification of Germany.

    Read More

More about Otto Von Bismarck Iron Policy Analysis

Open Document