The History of the Unified German States and “Bismarck’s Germany”
Germany: a region and territory that has been synonymous with war since Frederick Wilhelm, the Great Elector, started the process of turning Prussia into a military-based monarchy in 1653 (Steinberg). Germany, although incredible in its historical impact, has only existed in its present, unified form for less than 150 years. Over its short lifetime, Germany has enjoyed, and endured, a number of rulers, but none, perhaps, was so great an influence on modern Germany as Prince Otto von Bismarck the ‘Iron Chancellor’ of Germany. After hundreds of years of war, which stretched from the beginning of the ancient Roman Empire to the present time, Bismarck transformed the region of Germany …show more content…
Under Bismarck, the new Germany prospered, however unpopular Bismarck may have been to his people. Like other German leaders to come, such as Wilhelm II and Adolf Hitler, Bismarck did not pay much attention to the dissatisfaction aimed at him by the people. Instead, he went forward; he kept Germany out of war, increased the wealth of the nation, and expanded industry. Truly, Bismarck’s rule was prosperous, but it came at a cost. Numerous health issues tormented the Iron Chancellor including “hypochondria, hysteria, illness, sleeplessness, rage, and over-eating” (Steinberg). Finally, it happened in 1888 that Wilhelm I, the king that Bismarck had been manipulating for decades, died. With his death, Bismarck’s fate was sealed. The new Kaiser, King Wilhelm II, did not yield to Bismarck’s demands. The new king forced Bismarck to retire from his position. This was Wilhelm II’s first major mistake as Kaiser, but certainly not his last. Kaiser Wilhelm II had dreams of grandeur, and he believed that Bismarck’s hardnosed way of governance was best, but he failed to carry it out. Kaiser Wilhelm II took from Bismarck’s reign the ideas of tough governance and German military superiority. However, because he lacked Bismarck’s political and military insight, he foolishly led the Germans into the infamous Great War, a tragedy on all sides of the conflict. Adolf Hitler learned from Bismarck too, but perhaps a little more so. However, like Kaiser Wilhelm II before him, he led Germany into a World War, which cost the lives of millions with no long-term gains for Germany. Otto von Bismarck was a man revered by his allies, and feared by his enemies. Even at the end of his life, he maintained a master understanding of the political landscape of Germany, and made a prediction about
Germany: a region and territory that has been synonymous with war since Frederick Wilhelm, the Great Elector, started the process of turning Prussia into a military-based monarchy in 1653 (Steinberg). Germany, although incredible in its historical impact, has only existed in its present, unified form for less than 150 years. Over its short lifetime, Germany has enjoyed, and endured, a number of rulers, but none, perhaps, was so great an influence on modern Germany as Prince Otto von Bismarck the ‘Iron Chancellor’ of Germany. After hundreds of years of war, which stretched from the beginning of the ancient Roman Empire to the present time, Bismarck transformed the region of Germany …show more content…
Under Bismarck, the new Germany prospered, however unpopular Bismarck may have been to his people. Like other German leaders to come, such as Wilhelm II and Adolf Hitler, Bismarck did not pay much attention to the dissatisfaction aimed at him by the people. Instead, he went forward; he kept Germany out of war, increased the wealth of the nation, and expanded industry. Truly, Bismarck’s rule was prosperous, but it came at a cost. Numerous health issues tormented the Iron Chancellor including “hypochondria, hysteria, illness, sleeplessness, rage, and over-eating” (Steinberg). Finally, it happened in 1888 that Wilhelm I, the king that Bismarck had been manipulating for decades, died. With his death, Bismarck’s fate was sealed. The new Kaiser, King Wilhelm II, did not yield to Bismarck’s demands. The new king forced Bismarck to retire from his position. This was Wilhelm II’s first major mistake as Kaiser, but certainly not his last. Kaiser Wilhelm II had dreams of grandeur, and he believed that Bismarck’s hardnosed way of governance was best, but he failed to carry it out. Kaiser Wilhelm II took from Bismarck’s reign the ideas of tough governance and German military superiority. However, because he lacked Bismarck’s political and military insight, he foolishly led the Germans into the infamous Great War, a tragedy on all sides of the conflict. Adolf Hitler learned from Bismarck too, but perhaps a little more so. However, like Kaiser Wilhelm II before him, he led Germany into a World War, which cost the lives of millions with no long-term gains for Germany. Otto von Bismarck was a man revered by his allies, and feared by his enemies. Even at the end of his life, he maintained a master understanding of the political landscape of Germany, and made a prediction about