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Otto Von Bismark

Fully and formally: Otto Eduard Leopold, Furst von Bismarck, Graf von Bismarck-Schonhausen, Herzog von Lauenburg. Born at Schonhausen (outside Berlin) on the 1st April 1815. The popular image of this hugely important European statesman, is that of the Iron Chancellor. Immovable from his set goals, intolerant of criticism or opposition, he is perceived as the personification of the Prussian military character. The facts are slightly at variance with this stereotype.

Like his later admirer, Adolf Hitler, Otto von Bismarck showed little promise in his early years. His attendance at the University of Gottingen from 1832 to 1834, was aimed at providing him with a low-level qualification for entry to the Prussian Civil Service. This he achieved, only to resign in 1838 after less than four years of service. His twenties were spent drifting aimlessly from party (alcoholic, not political) to party.

In 1847, he met a remarkable woman. Johanna von Putkammer took charge of Otto; she cured him of his chronic alcoholism, and converted him to her particular religion (Pietist Lutheranism). Under her influence, he became the focussed, talented young man who would later change the shape of Europe.

Johanna's efforts were watched by spies who reported to King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. Bismarck was summoned to the Royal presence that year, and appointed to the Legislature. He was given various sensitive assignments by the King, who trusted his judgement in most matters military and political.

In 1848, revolutionary fervour swept the North German states (mainly minor principalities, whose rump aristocracies clung to a tenuous power base). The resultant Peoples' States invariably signed-up to join the German Confederation, which - headed by Prussia - was becoming a major political force in Europe.

The powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire based in Vienna, grew uneasy at this trend. They threatened war if the Prussians did not cease their expansionary activities. Bismarck's advice to the King, was to withdraw gracefully. Apologise to the Austrians, maintain diplomatic relations with them - our turn will come.

Friedrich Wilhelm IV appointed Bismarck Ambassador to the German Federation - 39 Germanic states - which had been established at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Unfortunately, this type of forum was not suited to Otto's particular gifts. Rather than whispering in the King's ear, he found himself having to explain in detail that which he considered unsuitable for the public domain. His frequent losses of temper saw him posted off as Ambassador to Russia, then France.

His return to Prussia in 1862, was in response to a political crisis brought about by the inexperience of the young King Wilhelm I - having succeeded to the throne through the incapitation of his brother Friedrich Wilhelm IV by a stroke, young Wilhelm was caught up in a constitutional fight with his generals over funding for the Army. Bismarck solved this crisis (a separate military budget), thereby bringing the Army to his side.

As Prime Minister from that point on, Bismarck exhibited a sure political touch, introducing social reforms which cemented his popularity with the common people. Chief among these was a national insurance scheme which foreshadowed the welfare states of the 20th century. In party politics, also, he forged alliances between seemingly-intractable opponents. By the time he advised the King of an international political crisis affecting Prussian interests, nobody at home was inclined to oppose him.

This "crisis" was, of course, the Prussian grievance over the German-speaking province of Schleswig-Holstein controlled by Denmark. Negotiations failed, and in 1864 a lightning campaign saw the Danes defeated and the disputed territory under Prussian control. Nothing succeeds like success; 2 years later, the Seven Weeks War saw the stubborn Austrians finally put in their place, and Hannover annexed. Bismarck now oversaw establishment of the North German Confederation. This was basically the old German Confederation, with the additions of Schleswig-Holstein and Hannover - and minus Austria and the militarily-reluctant South German states.

Bismarck, however, realised the value of conciliation. He made no attempt to further humiliate the defeated Austrians, instead negotiating with them in good faith. The resultant agreements guaranteeing Austria's place at the head of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, removed Austria as a threat to the climactic military campaign being planned. In 1870, the Franco-Prussian War saw French influence removed from German territory. The hitherto-wary South Germans now rushed to join the Prussians. In 1871, the South German states were amalgamated into the North German Confederation - which was immediately reconstituted as the German Empire under King Wilhelm I as Kaiser, or Emperor.

As Chancellor of this military and political powerhouse, Bismarck's power in Europe was enormous. As always, however, he used this influence only in the interests of expanding German (and primarily Prussian) prestige and world standing. He negotiated a bewildering series of inter-connected treaties throughout Europe. The result was the avoidance of war so that Germany could now concentrate on industrial and economic development.

Eventually, however, this edifice of artifice collapsed of its own weight. Inability to unravel the complicated threads of various pacts and treaties, meant that sometimes even the great man himself forgot how to interpret them. Also, political turnover in some signatories saw new governments often disinclined to honour treaties signed by their predecessors. Finally, in 1890, Bismarck was dismissed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. He retired to his country estate, where he spent his remaining days quietly until his death on 30th July 1898.