| − | '''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", Bismark 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]], that is the use of power to get results. | + | '''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", Bismark 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 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. |