Report on the Iron Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Biography of Otto von Bismarck, First Chancellor of the German Empire

As you can see, dear readers, we mostly dedicate our articles to personalities immortalized by monuments. And now - certainly an outstanding figure in German history - Otto von Bismarck. In Germany, many streets and squares are named after him, he is an honorary citizen of hundreds of cities. The memory of Bismarck is immortalized in various forms: from commemorative plaques to memorial complexes and towers. Why? You will find out when you get acquainted with the life and work of the iron chancellor.

From the biography:

Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck-Schoenhausen (Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck-Schoenhausen) was born on April 1, 1815 in the family estate of Schönhausen in Brandenburg (now Saxony-Anhalt). “I was destined by nature to become a diplomat, I was born on the first of April,” he joked. Mother - the daughter of a professor, father belonged to the Pomeranian Junkers. "Junkers", literally - "young people", is a special social category that existed before the Second World War. It was made up of large landowners of the eastern and central provinces of Prussia.

At the age of 17, Otto entered the law faculty of the University of Göttingen. Even then, his character manifested itself - independent, proud, stormy, proud. He led the life of a rake and a fighter. As a result, due to duels, he was expelled, but he nevertheless received an education: he graduated from the University of Berlin with a thesis defense in philosophy and political economy. The graduate first worked in the Berlin Municipal Court, then as a tax official in Aachen, and a year later in Potsdam. But the position of a petty official-executor is not for him. “My pride requires me to command, and not to carry out other people's orders” - this is his attitude. Bismarck had an iron will, physical endurance, a thunderous voice. He received the nickname "mad junker" from those around him.

Leaving the service in 1839, he retires to his father's estate and manages the household very successfully: incomes increase. In 1847, Otto von Bismarck starts a family. His chosen one was the noble, intelligent, attractive Johanna von Puntkamer. The marriage was not out of passionate love, but it turned out to be lasting.

And here is 1848. Remember the "Manifesto" by K. Marx: "A ghost is haunting Europe, the ghost of communism ...". Revolutionary fermentation swept almost all European countries. Bismarck, an ardent monarchist, does not accept revolutions. His saying is known: "The revolution is prepared by geniuses, the revolution is carried out by fanatics, and the rogues use its fruits." He advocated armed suppression of unrest: "Gegen Demokraten helfen nur Soldaten - Only soldiers will help against the democrats," he said, as often, in aphorisms. He contrasted the revolution with a rigid militaristic centralized monarchical system.

In 1849, Bismarck became a member of the Prussian Parliament, where he constantly spoke from conservative monarchist positions. The Prussian king Wilhelm wrote about him: “An ardent reactionary. Use later." In the meantime - the appointment of a representative of Prussia in the allied diet in Frankfurt am Main, then envoy to Russia.

He served in St. Petersburg for three years (1859-1862), mastered the Russian language, and was close to the court. Having studied the country well, he warned - in no case to fight with Russia: “The indestructible Empire of the Russian nation, with its climate, its deserts and its unpretentiousness, having been defeated, would remain our natural and thirsty enemy for revenge ... the defeat of an entire nationality, even weaker, Polish , failed the great powers for a hundred years. We will do best if we treat the Russian nation as if it were a given danger against which we build protective dams. Don't go to war with Russia. And the “Nothing” ring says that this is a strange Russian country.”

There is the following historical anecdote about this ring. The ring really existed, it was made in Russia with an engraved inscription "Nothing". On the way to Petersburg, Bismarck hired horses, but he doubted that the supplied horses could go fast enough. "Nothing," replied the coachman. When the horses set off, they rushed at full speed. “Isn't it too fast?” Bismarck was worried. “Nothing,” the coachman replies again. Still, the sleigh turned over, and the German diplomat fell out and scratched his face. In his hearts, he swung at the coachman with his cane, and he calmly rubbed the victim's face with snow and said "Nothing!" It was from this cane, allegedly, that Bismarck ordered a ring for himself, on which he immortalized the mysterious Russian word “Nothing.” Then, perhaps, his famous aphorism was born: “In Russia they harness slowly, but they drive fast.”

Calling for a cautious attitude towards Russia, he repeated: “In Germany, only I say “nothing!”, And in Russia, the whole people.”

Later, Bismarck was briefly an envoy to France, but was soon recalled to Berlin to resolve an internal conflict between the royal government and parliament on the issue of military reform. The king and his government insisted on increasing and re-equipping the army, the Landtag refused loans for this purpose. Bismarck, who arrived at the court of Wilhelm, was appointed Minister-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Prussia. Despite the opposition, he successfully completed the reform, significantly strengthening the army. This happened at the end of 1862.

This is how the German Empire was created.

At the same time, Bismarck announced his program: "Great questions are not resolved by speeches and the majority, but by iron and blood." That's it, hard and clear. And he began to unite Germany by military means. At this time, in the middle of the 19th century, Germany consisted of about 40 specific principalities, duchies and counties. Formally, the central government existed, but the king was elected by representatives of the largest latifundia and bishoprics and had practically no influence.

But the historical process leads to the need to unite disparate destinies into a strong single state, capable of competing in the market of the developing world capitalist production. Bismarck played a decisive role in creating a united Germany under Prussian rule. He believed in the strength of the Prussian army: "The sky did not stand stronger on the shoulders of the Atlanteans than Prussia on the shoulders of its generals" - and began the process of uniting the country with "iron and blood." Conducts three successive wars for the annexation of border territories inhabited by ethnic Germans.

First, the victorious war with Denmark (1864), which allowed the annexation of Schleswig and Holstein. In 1866, the war with Austria, as a result of which part of Bavaria, Hesse-Kassel, Nassau, Hanover, the free city of Frankfurt am Main lost their independence. Third and final 1870-1871 with France for the constantly disputed territories of Alsace and Lorraine. For France, it ended in a catastrophic defeat, the payment of a huge indemnity and the loss of border regions. The reason for the war was the famous "Ems dispatch", which was written in Ems by the Prussian king who was there. But Bismarck edited it into an offensive form. This provoked the French to immediately declare war. Such diplomatic methods did not bother Bismarck. He believed that "politics is the art of adapting to circumstances and benefiting from everything, even from what is disgusting."

On January 18, 1871, during the signing of peace in the mirror hall of the Palace of Versailles, the winners, raising their bare checkers, proclaimed Wilhelm, King of Prussia, emperor. This day was the day of the creation of the German Empire.

For Bismarck, a special position was introduced - chancellor. It was established by law that no minister had the right to address the emperor over his head. In fact, he became a co-ruler of the German Emperor Wilhelm the First. He was granted the title of prince. Bismarck's aspirations achieved. “I always rejoiced if I succeeded, by whatever means, at least three steps closer to the unity of Germany,” he said. And so, the German Empire was created.

To be continued.

For more than a century there have been fierce disputes about the personality and deeds of Otto von Bismarck. The attitude towards this figure changed depending on the historical era. It is said that in German school textbooks the assessment of Bismarck's role changed no less than six times.

Otto von Bismarck, 1826

Not surprisingly, both in Germany itself and in the world as a whole, the real Otto von Bismarck gave way to myth. The myth of Bismarck describes him as a hero or a tyrant, depending on what political views the mythmaker adheres to. The "Iron Chancellor" is often credited with words that he never uttered, while many of Bismarck's really important historical sayings are little known.

Otto von Bismarck was born on April 1, 1815 into a family of small estate nobles from the Brandenburg province of Prussia. The Bismarcks were Junkers, descendants of conquering knights who founded German settlements east of the Vistula, where Slavic tribes had previously lived.

Otto, even while studying at school, showed an interest in the history of world politics, military and peaceful cooperation between various countries. The boy was going to choose the diplomatic path, as his parents wanted.

However, in his youth, Otto was not distinguished by diligence and discipline, preferring to spend a lot of time in entertainment with friends. This was especially evident in his university years, when the future chancellor not only took part in fun feasts, but also regularly fought in duels. Bismarck had 27 of those, and only one of them ended in failure for Otto - he was injured, a trace of which in the form of a scar on his cheek remained for life.

"Mad Junker"

After university, Otto von Bismarck tried to get a job in the diplomatic service, but was refused - his "riotous" reputation affected. As a result, Otto got a job in the civil service in the city of Aachen, which was recently included in Prussia, but after the death of his mother he was forced to deal with the management of his own estates.

Here Bismarck, to the considerable surprise of those who knew him in his youth, showed prudence, showed excellent knowledge in economic matters and turned out to be a very successful and zealous owner.

But youthful habits did not go away completely - the neighbors with whom he was in conflict gave Otto his first nickname, "Mad Junker".

The dream of a political career began to come true in 1847, when Otto von Bismarck became a member of the United Landtag of the Prussian Kingdom.

The middle of the 19th century was the time of revolutions in Europe. Liberals and socialists sought to expand the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.

Against this background, the appearance of a young politician with an extremely conservative attitude, but at the same time possessing undoubted oratorical skills, was a complete surprise.

The revolutionaries greeted Bismarck with hostility, but surrounded by the Prussian king, they noted an interesting politician who could benefit the crown in the future.

Mr. Ambassador

When the revolutionary winds in Europe subsided, Bismarck's dream finally came true - he found himself in the diplomatic service. The main goal of Prussia's foreign policy, according to Bismarck, during this period was to be the strengthening of the country's position as a center for the unification of German lands and free cities. The main obstacle to the implementation of such plans was Austria, which also sought to take control of the German lands.

That is why Bismarck believed that Prussian policy in Europe should be based on the need to contribute to the weakening of the role of Austria through various alliances.

In 1857, Otto von Bismarck was appointed Prussian ambassador to Russia. Years of work in St. Petersburg had a strong impact on Bismarck's subsequent attitude towards Russia. He was closely acquainted with Vice-Chancellor Alexander Gorchakov, who highly appreciated Bismarck's diplomatic talents.

Unlike many foreign diplomats working in Russia, past and present, Otto von Bismarck not only mastered the Russian language, but was able to understand the character and mentality of the people. It is from the time of work in St. Petersburg that Bismarck's famous warning about the inadmissibility of war with Russia for Germany, which will inevitably have disastrous consequences for the Germans themselves, will come out.

A new round of Otto von Bismarck's career took place after Wilhelm I ascended the Prussian throne in 1861.

The ensuing constitutional crisis, caused by disagreements between the king and the Landtag on the issue of expanding the military budget, forced Wilhelm I to look for a figure capable of pursuing state policy with a “hard hand”.

Such a figure was Otto von Bismarck, who at that time held the post of Prussian ambassador to France.

Empire according to Bismarck

The extremely conservative views of Bismarck made even Wilhelm I doubt such a choice. Nevertheless, on September 23, 1862, Otto von Bismarck was appointed head of the Prussian government.

In one of his first speeches, to the consternation of the liberals, Bismarck proclaimed the idea of ​​uniting the lands around Prussia with "iron and blood."

In 1864, Prussia and Austria acted as allies in a war with Denmark over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Success in this war greatly strengthened the position of Prussia among the German states.

In 1866, the confrontation between Prussia and Austria for influence on the German states reached its climax and resulted in a war in which Italy took the side of Prussia.

The war ended with the crushing defeat of Austria, which finally lost its influence. As a result, in 1867, the federal formation of the North German Confederation was created, headed by Prussia.

The final completion of the unification of Germany was possible only with the accession of the South German states, which France sharply opposed.

If with Russia, concerned about the strengthening of Prussia, Bismarck managed to settle the issue through diplomacy, then the French emperor Napoleon III was determined to stop the creation of a new empire by force of arms.

The Franco-Prussian war that broke out in 1870 ended in complete disaster for both France and Napoleon III himself, who was captured after the battle of Sedan.

The last obstacle was removed, and on January 18, 1871, Otto von Bismarck proclaimed the creation of the Second Reich (German Empire), of which Wilhelm I became Kaiser.

January 1871 was Bismarck's major triumph.

There is no prophet in his own country...

His further activities were aimed at containing internal and external threats. Under the internal conservative, Bismarck meant the strengthening of the positions of the Social Democrats, under the external - attempts at revenge by France and Austria, as well as other European countries that joined them, fearing the strengthening of the German Empire.

The foreign policy of the "iron chancellor" went down in history as "Bismarck's system of alliances."

The main task of the agreements being concluded was to prevent the creation of powerful anti-German alliances in Europe, threatening the new empire with a war on two fronts.

To this end, Bismarck managed to successfully manage until his retirement, but his cautious policy began to irritate the German elite. The new empire wanted to take part in the redistribution of the world, for which it was ready to fight with everyone.

Bismarck declared that as long as he was Chancellor, there would be no colonial policy in Germany. However, even before his resignation, the first German colonies appeared in Africa and the Pacific, which indicated the fall of Bismarck's influence in Germany.

The "Iron Chancellor" began to interfere with a new generation of politicians who no longer dreamed of a united Germany, but of world domination.

The year 1888 went down in German history as the "Year of the Three Emperors". After the death of the 90-year-old Wilhelm I and his son, Frederick III, who suffered from throat cancer, the 29-year-old Wilhelm II, the grandson of the first emperor of the Second Reich, ascended the throne.

Then no one knew that Wilhelm II, rejecting all the advice and warnings of Bismarck, would drag Germany into the First World War, which would put an end to the empire created by the "Iron Chancellor".

In March 1890, the 75-year-old Bismarck was sent into an honorable retirement, and with him his policies also resigned. Just a few months later, Bismarck's main nightmare came true - France and Russia entered into a military alliance, which England then joined.

The "Iron Chancellor" passed away in 1898, not having seen how Germany rushes at full speed towards a suicidal war. The name of Bismarck during the First World War and at the beginning of the Second World War will be actively used in Germany for propaganda purposes.

But his warnings about the destructiveness of the war with Russia, about the nightmare of a "war on two fronts", will remain unclaimed.

The Germans paid a very high price for this selective memory of Bismarck.

April 1, 1815 was born Otto von Bismarck, the "Iron Chancellor", whose work largely determined the boundaries of modern Europe. All his life Bismarck was connected with Russia. He, like no one else, understood the strength and inconsistency of our state.

Russian love

Bismarck had a lot to do with our country: service in Russia, "apprenticeship" with Gorchakov, knowledge of the language, respect for the Russian national spirit. Bismarck also had Russian love, her name was Katerina Orlova-Trubetskaya. They had a stormy romance in the resort of Biarritz. It took Bismarck only one week in her company to be captivated by the charms of this young attractive 22-year-old woman. The story of their passionate love almost ended in tragedy. Katerina's husband, Prince Orlov, was seriously wounded in the Crimean War and did not take part in his wife's merry festivities and bathing. But he accepted Bismarck. She and Katerina almost drowned. They were rescued by the lighthouse keeper. On that day, Bismarck would write to his wife: “After several hours of rest and writing letters to Paris and Berlin, I took another sip of salt water, this time in the harbor when there were no waves. A lot of swimming and diving, twice dipping into the surf would be too much for one day. This incident became a "bell" for the future chancellor, he did not cheat on his wife anymore. Yes, and there was no time - big politics has become a worthy alternative to adultery.

Ems dispatch

In achieving his goals, Bismarck did not disdain anything, even falsification. In a tense situation, when the throne was vacated in Spain after the revolution in 1870, Leopold, the nephew of Wilhelm I, began to claim it. The Spaniards themselves called the Prussian prince to the throne, but France intervened. Understanding the desire of Prussia for European hegemony, the French made a lot of efforts to prevent this. Bismarck also made a lot of efforts to push Prussia against France with their foreheads. Negotiations between the French ambassador Benedetti and Wilhelm came to the conclusion that Prussia would not interfere in the affairs of the Spanish throne. An account of Benedetti's conversation with the king was reported from Ems by telegraph to Bismarck in Berlin. Having received assurances from Moltke, Chief of the Prussian General Staff, that the army was ready for war, Bismarck decided to use the dispatch sent from Ems to provoke France. He changed the text of the message, shortening it and giving it a harsher, more offensive tone for France. In the new text of the dispatch, falsified by Bismarck, the end was composed as follows: "His Majesty the king then refused to receive the French ambassador again and ordered the adjutant on duty to tell him that his majesty had nothing more to report."
This text, insulting to France, was transmitted by Bismarck to the press and to all Prussian missions abroad, and the next day became known in Paris. As Bismarck expected, Napoleon III immediately declared war on Prussia, which ended in the defeat of France.

Russian "nothing"

Bismarck continued to use the Russian language throughout his political career. Russian words now and then slip through his letters. Having already become the head of the Prussian government, he sometimes even made resolutions on official documents in Russian: “Impossible” or “Caution”. But the favorite word of the "Iron Chancellor" was the Russian "nothing". He admired its nuance, ambiguity and often used it in private correspondence, for example, like this: "Alles is nothing." One incident helped him to penetrate the secret of the Russian "nothing". Bismarck hired a coachman, but doubted that his horses could go fast enough. "Nothing-oh!" - the driver answered and rushed along the rough road so briskly that Bismarck became worried: “But you won’t throw me out?”. "Nothing!" - answered the coachman. The sleigh overturned, and Bismarck flew into the snow, breaking his face until it bled. In a rage, he swung at the driver with a steel cane, and the latter scooped up a handful of snow with his hands to wipe Bismarck's bloodied face, and kept saying: "Nothing ... nothing, oh!" Subsequently, Bismarck ordered a ring from this cane with an inscription in Latin letters: "Nothing!" And he admitted that in difficult times he was relieved, saying to himself in Russian: “Nothing!” When the “Iron Chancellor” was reproached for being too soft on Russia, he replied: “In Germany, only I say “nothing!”, And in Russia, the whole people.”

sausage duel

Rudolf Virchow, a Prussian scientist and opposition figure, was dissatisfied with the policies of Otto von Bismarck and the bloated Prussian military budget. He began to investigate the typhus epidemic and came to the conclusion that Bismarck himself was not to blame for it (overcrowding is caused by poverty, poverty is caused by poor education, poor education is caused by lack of funding and democracy).
Bismarck did not deny Virchow's theses. He simply challenged him to a duel. The duel took place, but Virchow prepared for it outside the box. As a "weapon" he chose sausages. One of them was poisoned. The noble duelist Bismarck preferred to refuse the duel, saying that the heroes do not overeat to death and canceled the duel.

Gorchakov's student

It is traditionally believed that Alexander Gorchakov became a kind of "godfather" of Otto von Bismarck. There is a reasonable grain in this opinion. Without the participation and help of Gorchakov, Bismarck would hardly have become what he became, but one cannot underestimate the role of Bismarck himself in his political development. Bismarck met Alexander Gorchakov during his stay in St. Petersburg, where he was the Prussian envoy. The future "Iron Chancellor" was not very pleased with his appointment, taking him for a link. He was far from "big politics", although Otto's ambitions told him that he was born for this. Bismarck was received favorably in Russia. Bismarck, as they knew in St. Petersburg, opposed with all his might during the Crimean War the mobilization of German armies for the war with Russia. In addition, the Dowager Empress, wife of Nicholas I and mother of Alexander II, nee Princess Charlotte of Prussia, favored the courteous and educated countryman. Bismarck was the only foreign diplomat who had close contact with the royal family. Work in Russia and communication with Gorchakov seriously influenced Bismarck, but Gorchakov's diplomatic style was not adopted by Bismarck, he formed his own methods of foreign policy influence, and when the interests of Prussia diverged from the interests of Russia, Bismarck confidently defended the positions of Prussia. After the Berlin Congress, Bismarck broke up with Gorchakov.

Descendant of Rurik

Now it is not customary to remember this, but Otto von Bismarck was a descendant of the Rurikovich. His distant relatives were Anna Yaroslavovna. The call of Russian blood in Bismarck manifested itself in full, he even once had a chance to hunt a bear. The "Iron Chancellor" knew and understood the Russians well. The famous phrases are attributed to him: “It’s worth either playing fair with Russians, or not playing at all”; “Russians harness for a long time, but they drive fast”; “The war between Germany and Russia is the greatest stupidity. That's why it's bound to happen."

Buried: Mausoleum of Bismarck Spouse: Johanna von Puttkamer

Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck-Schönhausen(German Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck-Schönhausen ; -) - prince, German statesman, the first chancellor of the German Empire (Second Reich), nicknamed the "Iron Chancellor". He had the honorary rank (peacetime) of the Prussian Colonel General with the rank of Field Marshal (March 20, 1890).

Biography

Origin

In the meantime, a powerful opposition coalition was forming in the Reichstag, the core of which was the newly created centrist Catholic Party, which united with parties representing national minorities. To counter the clericalism of the Catholic Center, Bismarck went to rapprochement with the National Liberals, who had the largest share in the Reichstag. started Kulturkampf- Bismarck's struggle with the political claims of the papacy and Catholic parties. This struggle had a negative effect on the unity of Germany, but it became a matter of principle for Bismarck.

Sunset

The elections of 1881 were actually a defeat for Bismarck: Bismarck's conservative parties and liberals lost to the Center Party, progressive liberals and socialists. The situation became even more serious when the opposition parties united in order to cut the cost of maintaining the army. Once again, there was a danger that Bismarck would not stay in the chancellor's chair. Constant work and unrest undermined Bismarck's health - he was too fat and suffered from insomnia. Dr. Schwenniger helped him regain his health, who put the chancellor on a diet and forbade drinking strong wines. The result was not long in coming - very soon the former efficiency returned to the chancellor, and he set to work with renewed vigor.

This time, colonial politics came into his field of vision. For the previous twelve years, Bismarck had argued that colonies were a luxury that Germany could not afford. But in the course of 1884 Germany acquired vast territories in Africa. German colonialism brought Germany closer to her eternal rival France, but created tension with England. Otto von Bismarck managed to draw his son Herbert into the colonial affairs, who was involved in settling issues with England. But there were also enough problems with his son - he inherited only bad traits from his father and drank.

In March 1887, Bismarck succeeded in forming a stable conservative majority in the Reichstag, which was nicknamed "The Cartel". In the wake of chauvinistic hysteria and the threat of war with France, the voters decided to rally around the Chancellor. This gave him the opportunity to push through the Reichstag a law on a seven-year term of service. In the realm of foreign policy, Bismarck then makes one of his biggest mistakes. Supporting the anti-Russian policy of Austria-Hungary in the Balkans, he self-confidently believed in the impossibility of a Franco-Russian alliance (“The Tsar and the Marseillaise are incompatible”). Nevertheless, he decided to conclude a secret so-called with Russia. "reinsurance contract", but only up to .

Otto von Bismarck spent the rest of his life on his estate Friedrichsra near Hamburg, rarely leaving it. His wife Johanna died.

In the last years of his life, Bismarck was pessimistic about the prospects for European politics due to the Franco-Russian alliance and the sharp deterioration in Germany's relations with England. Emperor Wilhelm II visited him several times.

Phrases attributed to Bismarck

  • The Russians take a long time to harness, but they go fast.
  • Agreements with Russia are unworthy even of the paper on which they are written.
  • Never fight the Russians. They will respond to your every stratagem with unpredictable stupidity.
  • Congratulate me - the comedy is over ... (during the departure from the post of chancellor).
  • He, as always, with a prima donna's smile on his lips and with an ice compress on his heart (about the Chancellor of the Russian Empire, Gorchakov).
  • You don't know this audience! Finally, the Jew Rothschild ... this, I tell you, is an incomparable beast. For the sake of speculation on the stock exchange, he is ready to bury the whole of Europe, but is it to blame ... me?.
  • Before his death, having regained consciousness for a short while, he said: "I am dying, but from the point of view of the interests of the state, this is impossible!"
  • O Muhammad! I am saddened that I was not your contemporary. Humanity has only once seen your great power, and will never be able to see it again. I admire you!
  • supposedly: If you want to build socialism, choose a country that you don't mind
  • presumably: It is easy to come to power on bayonets, but it is very inconvenient to sit on them
  • The power of Russia can only be undermined by the separation of Ukraine from it ... it is necessary not only to tear off, but also to oppose Ukraine to Russia. To do this, you only need to find and nurture traitors among the elite and, with their help, change the self-consciousness of one part of the great people to such an extent that they will hate everything Russian, hate their own family, without realizing it. Everything else is a matter of time"

Addresses in St. Petersburg

  • 1859 - hotel "Demut" - embankment of the Moika River, 40;
  • 1859-1862 - Galernaya street, 51.

Criticism of Otto von Bismarck

Main article: Criticism of Otto von Bismarck

Literature

under the editorship of Prof. Yerusalimsky A.S. Bismark. Thoughts and memories M., 1940.

Yerusalimsky A. S. Bismarck. diplomacy and militarism. M., 1968.

Galkin I. S. Creation of the German Empire. M., 1986.

Pikul V.S. Battle of the Iron Chancellors. M., 1977.

see also

  • The Bismarck Towers are commemorative towers built in honor of the "Iron Chancellor". About 250 of these towers were built in four parts of the world.

External links

"Iron Chancellor"

Otto Bismarck went down in history as the first Chancellor of the German Empire. Under his leadership, the unification of Germany was carried out by means of a "revolution from above". He managed to turn the country into a powerful industrial power.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, for numerous German states, the question of the need for unification was acute. Instead of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, which collapsed in 1806, the German Union arose in 1815, which included 39 independent states. Austria played a leading role in it. However, this did not suit Prussia. An increasingly escalating conflict arose between Vienna and Berlin.

In 1862, Bismarck (Otto von Bismarck) becomes Prime Minister of Prussia. It is through wars that Bismarck hopes to determine the fate of Germany. The rivalry between Austria and Prussia resulted in open war in 1866. The Prussian army quickly defeated the Austrian. The German Confederation is declared dissolved. Instead, in 1867, on the initiative of Bismarck, a new association was created - the North German Confederation, which, in addition to Prussia, includes the small states of Northern Germany. This union became the basis for the creation of an empire led by Prussia.

Unification of legislation

However, initially the power of the new emperor - Wilhelm I - was still very weak. Proclaimed on January 18, 1871, the German Empire is a federation of 25 states. Otto Bismarck receives the highest state post of imperial chancellor, and in accordance with the constitution of 1871, almost unlimited power. He pursues a very pragmatic policy, the main goal of which is to unite the loose empire. New laws appear one after another.

These laws are aimed at unifying legislation and creating a single economic and monetary space. In the early years, Bismarck had to reckon with the liberals who made up the parliamentary majority. But the desire to ensure Prussia's dominant position in the empire, to strengthen the traditional hierarchy and its own power caused constant friction in relations between the chancellor and parliament.

In 1872-1875, at the initiative of Bismarck, laws were passed against the Catholic Church depriving the clergy of the right to supervise schools, prohibiting the Jesuit order in Germany, making civil marriage mandatory, and repealing articles of the constitution that provided for the autonomy of the church. These measures, dictated by purely political considerations of the struggle against the clerical opposition, seriously limited the rights of the Catholic clergy.

"Socialist Law"

Bismarck fights against the Social Democracy even more resolutely. He considers this movement "socially dangerous, hostile to the state." In 1878, he passes through the Reichstag the "Law on Socialists": the Social Democrats are forbidden to assemble and distribute their literature, their leaders are persecuted.

The "Iron Chancellor" is also trying to win over the sympathies of the working class to its side. In 1881-1889, Bismarck passed "social laws" on the insurance of workers in case of illness or injury, on old-age and disability pensions. It was a unique example in the history of Europe at that time. However, in parallel, Bismarck continues to apply repressive measures to participants in the labor movement, which ultimately reduces the results of his policy to nothing.

Germany takes the lead

The formation of one's own national state was met with enthusiasm in all sections of the population. The general enthusiasm also has a beneficial effect on the economy, which is not short of cash. Moreover, having lost the war of 1870-1871, France pledged to pay an indemnity to the German Empire. New factories spring up everywhere. Germany is rapidly transforming from an agricultural country into an industrial one.

The chancellor pursues a skillful foreign policy. With the help of a complex system of alliances that ensured the isolation of France, the rapprochement of Germany with Austria-Hungary and the maintenance of good relations with Russia, Bismarck managed to maintain peace in Europe. The German Empire became one of the leaders in international politics.

Career decline

After the death of Wilhelm I on March 9, 1888, turbulent times set in for the empire. His son Frederick inherits the throne, however, he dies three months later. The next monarch - Wilhelm II, having a low opinion of Bismarck, quickly comes into conflict with him.

By this time, the system itself, formed by the chancellor, began to fail. A rapprochement between Russia and France was planned. The colonial expansion of Germany, begun in the 80s, aggravated Anglo-German relations. Bismarck's failure in domestic politics was the failure of his plan to turn the "exceptional law" against the socialists into a permanent one. In 1890, Bismarck was dismissed and spent the last 8 years of his life at his Friedrichsruhe estate.

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