The Franco-Prussian war took place in 1870 between France and Prussia. With France’s defeat, this war led to the creation of a unified Germany. The primary cause of this war was Otto von Bismarck’s leadership of Prussia. This can be illustrated through Wilhelm I’s dependency on Bismarck, Bismarck outflanking the Prussian liberals, and Bismarck’s use of distinctive strategies to manipulate others to generate war. Otto von Bismarck’s leadership of Prussia can be seen through Wilhelm I’s dependency on Bismarck. When Wilhelm ascended the Prussian throne his militaristic outlook gained him the nickname “The Cartridge Prince”(Wilhelm I). The article Wilhelm I, talks about Wilhelm’s successes and his failures during his reign. It is stated in the
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Before Wilhelm I had elected Bismarck as his chancellor, there was a continuous struggle between Wilhelm and the liberals who dominated the parliament (Otto von Bismarck). Their goals for Prussia’s future were very conflicting. The liberals wanted to avoid placing additional power in the hands of the monarchy, while Wilhelm wanted to collect taxes to enlarge the army (Kagan). This conflict led to the appointing of Bismarck as chancellor. In an article called German Unification, it is stated that the aftermath of the Revolutions of 1848 aroused the ambitions of Prussians to form their own sphere of influence (German). This shows that Bismarck was ready to do what he could to make Prussia a strong power and unite Germany, even if it meant going against those who opposed his ideas, like the liberals. In one of Bismarck’s speeches called Speeches on Pragmatism and State Socialism, he stated that, “Germany does not look to Prussia’s liberalism, but to her power…. Not by speeches and majorities will the great questions of the day be decided-that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849- but by iron and blood” (Sherman). This quote shows that the Prussian liberal’s mistakes were seen throughout the Revolutions of 1848 and 1849, which led to Bismarck going against the liberals and figuring out his own way to achieve his goals, “by iron and blood”. Bismarck started collecting taxes, with …show more content…
Bismarck recognized that he could never achieve his ambition of uniting Germany under Prussian leadership while Austria still remained a powerful influence in Germany (Germany). In 1863, Bismarck challenged Austria’s leadership by using a long-standing dispute with Denmark over control of Schleswig-Holstein. Schleswig-Holstein was under Danish control, but Prussia wanted to give protection to the German population (Germany). This problem led to war with Denmark. In 1864, Bismarck manipulated Austria into joining the war on Prussia’s side in order to defeat Denmark (Otto von Bismarck). The victory of Prussia and Austria against Denmark set the stage for the Austro-Prussian war. In 1866, before the Austro-Prussian war was about to be executed, Bismarck was able to compel Austria to abandon its long-established claims over small states where Prussian power and influence was present (Wilhelm I). This shows that Bismarck was able to manipulate Austria to become a step closer to German unification. In Bismarck’s memoirs, Bismarck said that, “we had to avoid wounding Austria too severely… to avoid bitterness of feeling or desire for revenge;”(Otto von Bismarck: memoirs). This is another example where it shows Bismarck manipulating Austria through his strategy of not severely damaging Austria’s resources during war. Later, Bismarck provoked a war with Austria
Before Wilhelm I had elected Bismarck as his chancellor, there was a continuous struggle between Wilhelm and the liberals who dominated the parliament (Otto von Bismarck). Their goals for Prussia’s future were very conflicting. The liberals wanted to avoid placing additional power in the hands of the monarchy, while Wilhelm wanted to collect taxes to enlarge the army (Kagan). This conflict led to the appointing of Bismarck as chancellor. In an article called German Unification, it is stated that the aftermath of the Revolutions of 1848 aroused the ambitions of Prussians to form their own sphere of influence (German). This shows that Bismarck was ready to do what he could to make Prussia a strong power and unite Germany, even if it meant going against those who opposed his ideas, like the liberals. In one of Bismarck’s speeches called Speeches on Pragmatism and State Socialism, he stated that, “Germany does not look to Prussia’s liberalism, but to her power…. Not by speeches and majorities will the great questions of the day be decided-that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849- but by iron and blood” (Sherman). This quote shows that the Prussian liberal’s mistakes were seen throughout the Revolutions of 1848 and 1849, which led to Bismarck going against the liberals and figuring out his own way to achieve his goals, “by iron and blood”. Bismarck started collecting taxes, with …show more content…
Bismarck recognized that he could never achieve his ambition of uniting Germany under Prussian leadership while Austria still remained a powerful influence in Germany (Germany). In 1863, Bismarck challenged Austria’s leadership by using a long-standing dispute with Denmark over control of Schleswig-Holstein. Schleswig-Holstein was under Danish control, but Prussia wanted to give protection to the German population (Germany). This problem led to war with Denmark. In 1864, Bismarck manipulated Austria into joining the war on Prussia’s side in order to defeat Denmark (Otto von Bismarck). The victory of Prussia and Austria against Denmark set the stage for the Austro-Prussian war. In 1866, before the Austro-Prussian war was about to be executed, Bismarck was able to compel Austria to abandon its long-established claims over small states where Prussian power and influence was present (Wilhelm I). This shows that Bismarck was able to manipulate Austria to become a step closer to German unification. In Bismarck’s memoirs, Bismarck said that, “we had to avoid wounding Austria too severely… to avoid bitterness of feeling or desire for revenge;”(Otto von Bismarck: memoirs). This is another example where it shows Bismarck manipulating Austria through his strategy of not severely damaging Austria’s resources during war. Later, Bismarck provoked a war with Austria