These revision notes provide an in depth summary of this specific chapter of AQA History in the Study of The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991. They can be used directly as lecture notes or can be reduced further to more of a summary of the topic.
History revision – Bismarck in power 1871-1890 (2)
- B dominated most aspects of Gr politics, both foreign and domestic
- In foreign policy he acted alone
- Domestic affairs – took advice, listened to suggestions and used suggestions of others
Otto von Bismarck
- Father was a wealthy Junker – land-owning nobility of Prussia
- Mother from middle-class merchant family
o Didn’t get on well however, obtained his intelligence and determination from her
- B too clever, too enterprising and too non-conformist to be a typical Junker
- Passed law exams, then won entry into Prussian civil service
- Year of military service
- 1847, married Johanna von Puttkamer and elected into Prussian United Diet – these
both changed the direction of his life – (Diet – Assembly or Parliament)
- Soon became Prussian envoy to the Bundestag where he mostly remained until 1859
The appeal of German Nationalism
- By late 1850’s, B’s views on Nationalism shifted from contempt to acceptance
o Aware of the popular appeal of Gr nationalism
Nationalist movement may be manipulated in interests of enhancing
Prussian power and aid creation of united Gr under Prussian control
- 1859, B moved from Bundestag to become Prussian ambassador in Russia
- 1862, returned to Prussia to become Chief Minister
o Only accepted this on the terms that he could do as he saw fit
- Had a rep as a tough, ambitious and ruthless politician
- Loyal supporter of the monarchy
- Appointment as Chief Minister was viewed as a deliberate affront to the Liberals
o They viewed him as a bigoted reactionary
Someone who wanted return to status quo ante (previous political state
of society)
- B’s view was largely that issues are decided by might not right
- Was determined to make Prussia as mighty as possible
- By brilliant diplomacy and a series of war against:
o Denmark – 1864 Austria – 1866 France – 1870-71
- B brought about Gr unification and the creation of the Second Reich
- Realpolitik characterised B’s political career
o Term used to describe ruthless and cynical policies of politicians who are willing
to use whatever means available to them to achieve their aims
- Viewed idealists and idealism as worthless
- What was good for Prussia was also good for Gr
- He recognised that a conservative regime couldn’t operate without popular support, in
particular, the support of the growing liberal movement
- He hoped to achieve conservative ends by means that were far from conservative
- His methods occasionally brought him into conflict with Wilhelm I, Prussian military
and the political elites
- However, most respected his judgement
- Aggressive and emotional relations with Emperor Wilhelm I were stormy
Bismarck’s motives and methods
- There are many conflicting views on B’s motives
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