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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 [[Roman Catholic Church|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.

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.