Otto von Bismarck

Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg (1 April 1815 – 30 July 1898), simply known as Otto von Bismarck, is a conservative German statesman who dominates European affairs from the 1860s to his dismissal in 1890.

After a series of short victorious wars, he unifies numerous German states into a powerful German Empire under Prussian leadership, then creates a "balance of power" that preserves peace in Europe from 1871 until 1914.

As Minister President of Prussia 1862–90, Bismarck provokes wars that make Prussia dominant over Austria and France, and line up the smaller German states behind Prussia.

In 1867, he also becomes Chancellor of the North German Confederation.

Bismarck designs and creates the German Empire in 1871, becoming its first Chancellor and largely controlling its affairs until he is removed by Kaiser (Emperor) William II in 1890.

His diplomacy of Realpolitik and powerful rule gain him the nickname the "Iron Chancellor".

He uses balance-of-power diplomacy to keep Europe peaceful in the 1870s and 1880s.

He creates a new nation-state and leads the way to the welfare state.

He dislikes colonialism but reluctantly builds an overseas empire when it is demanded by both elite and mass opinion.

Bismarck, a devout Lutheran, is loyal to his king, who in turn gives Bismarck his full support.

While his new German Empire has universal male suffrage, the elected officials do not have real control of the government.

Bismarck distrusts democracy and rules through a strong, well-trained bureaucracy with power in the hands of a Junker elite representing the landed aristocracy in the east.

Aan aristocratic Junker himself, Bismarck has an extremely aggressive and domineering personality.

He possesses not only a long-term national and international vision, but also the short-term ability to juggle many complex developments simultaneously.

As the leader of what historians call "revolutionary conservatism", Bismarck becomes a hero to German nationalists; they build hundreds of monuments glorifying the iconic symbol of powerful conservative leadership.

Historians praise him as a statesman of moderation and balance who kept the peace in Europe and was primarily responsible for the unification of modern Germany.

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