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'''Otto von Bismarck''' (Otto Eduard Leopold Fürst von Bismarck, Herzog von Lauenburg, Graf von Bismarck-Schönhausen) (1815-1898) was the minister president of [[Prussia]] (1862–71), and the first [[chancellor]] of the [[German Empire]] (1871–90). Known as the "Iron Chancellor," Bismarck was the dominant political leader of Europe in the late 19th century. He was a unifier who brought together the various Germanic states into a unified [[Germany]], under Prussian leadership. His capital was [[Berlin]], but his base of power were the rich landowning "Junkers" of the eastern part of Prussia. He was fiercely patriotic and believed in [[realpolitik]] (the use of power to get practical results).

'''Otto von Bismarck''' (Otto Eduard Leopold Fürst von Bismarck, Herzog von Lauenburg, Graf von Bismarck-Schönhausen) (April 1, 1815–July 30, 1898) served as the minister president of [[Prussia]] (1862–71) and the first [[chancellor]] of the [[German Empire]] (1871–90). Known as the "Iron Chancellor," Bismarck was the dominant political leader of Europe in the late 19th century. He was a unifier who brought together the various Germanic states into a unified [[Germany]], under Prussian leadership. His capital was [[Berlin]], but his base of power were the rich landowning "Junkers" of the eastern part of Prussia. He was fiercely patriotic and believed in [[realpolitik]] (the use of power to get practical results).

Bismarck entered Prussian politics in 1847.  He first served as ambassador to [[Russia]] and [[France]], and became the minister president and foreign minister in 1862.  He supervised the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the [[Austro-Prussian War]] and annexed or coerced neighboring states into the [[North German Federation]].  He supervised the defeat of the French in the [[Franco-Prussian War]] and the creation of the new German Empire (the "Second Reich"); Bismarck was made its imperial chancellor and prince in 1871 and dominated the political system.   

Bismarck entered Prussian politics in 1847.  He first served as ambassador to [[Russia]] and [[France]], and became the minister president and foreign minister in 1862.  He supervised the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the [[Austro-Prussian War]] and annexed or coerced neighboring states into the [[North German Federation]].  He supervised the defeat of the French in the [[Franco-Prussian War]] and the creation of the new German Empire (the "Second Reich"); Bismarck was made its imperial chancellor and prince in 1871 and dominated the political system.   

In domestic affairs Bismarck was an arch-conservative Protestant who strengthened the economy, fought both the Catholics (in the "[[Kulturkampf]]" or "culture war") and the anti-clerical socialists.  The Catholics and socialists reorganized and were more powerful at his death than when he attacked them. Bismarck began the German [[welfare state]] as a way to gain support for the national government while weakening the socialists.

In domestic affairs, Bismarck was an arch-conservative [[Protestant]] who strengthened the economy, fought both the Catholics (in the "[[Kulturkampf]]" or "culture war") and the anti-clerical socialists.  The Catholics and socialists reorganized and were more powerful at his death than when he attacked them. Bismarck began the German [[welfare state]] as a way to gain support for the national government while weakening the socialists.

 

He played a major diplomatic role in world affairs, from leading the war against France in 1870-71 to balancing the major nations against each other so as to prevent war. This was the "Bismarck System," but he was dismissed in 1890 by an arrogant new emperor [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]] who was oblivious to Bismarck's great achievements.

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Kulturkampf]]

* [[Kulturkampf]]

* Stern, Fritz. ''Gold and Iron: Bismarck, Bleichröder and the Building of the German Empire.'' (1977).  

* Stern, Fritz. ''Gold and Iron: Bismarck, Bleichröder and the Building of the German Empire.'' (1977).  

*Taylor, A.J.P. ''Bismarck: The Man and the Statesman'' (1955). [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=14683010 online edition]

*Taylor, A.J.P. ''Bismarck: The Man and the Statesman'' (1955). [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=14683010 online edition]

===Primary sources===

===Primary sources===

* ''Bismarck, the Man & the Statesman: Being the Reflections and Reminiscences of Otto, Prince Von Bismarck.'' Volume: 1. (1899)[http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=77734130 online edition]

* ''Bismarck, the Man & the Statesman: Being the Reflections and Reminiscences of Otto, Prince Von Bismarck.'' Volume: 1. (1899)[http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=77734130 online edition]

* [http://www.archive.org/details/correspondenceof00bismuoft ''The correspondence of William I and Bismarck: with other letters from and to Prince Bismarck'' ed Ford (1903), online]

* [http://www.archive.org/details/correspondenceof00bismuoft ''The correspondence of William I and Bismarck: with other letters from and to Prince Bismarck'' ed Ford (1903), online]

*[http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWbismarck.htm Otto von Bismarck]

*[http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWbismarck.htm Otto von Bismarck]

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:German History]]

[[Category:German History]]

[[Category:Diplomacy]]

[[Category:Diplomacy]]

[[Category:Welfare State]]

[[Category:Welfare State]]

[[Category:German Chancellors]]

[[Category:German Chancellors]]

{{German Chancellors}}

{{German Chancellors}}