1. Otto von
Bismarck
the "Iron Chancellor"
By Maria Kirilova, RIMO-203

2. Childhood and
Otto von Bismarck (Eduard Leopold von
adolescence Shenhauzen), the third son of a Prussian
landowner, was born in 1815 in the family estate
in Brandenburg. During the studying Bismarck
was interested in the politics of past years, the
history of military and peaceful rivalry of different
countries.
Leaving high school, Otto studied law at the
University of Göttingen. There he gained the
reputation of revelers and a fighter, gambled and
drank a lot. After graduation, he joined the Guard
Jaeger Regiment. In addition to his military duties
Bismarck studied the methods of animal
breeding.

3. Bismarck - In 1839 Bismarck’s mother
landlord
died, which did not make a
strong impression on Otto.
However, this event
determined what he should
do after military service. Otto
helped his brother to farm
the estates and took the lead
over family ownership.

4. Bismarck -
landlord Bismarck studied accounting,
chemistry, agriculture himself. He was a
clever and practical landowner and the
estate’s value considerably increased.
But Otto could not be just the
landlord. He shocked neighbors by his
behavior. Sometimes playing cards Otto
lost everything he saved for months.
Neighbors called him "crazy Bismarck"
for his violent temper. But "Mad
Bismarck" surpassed his neighbors in
intellect.

5. Entering politics Bismarck became known for his
conservative position in the constitutional
struggle in Prussia in 1848-1850. He
supported King Friedrich Wilhelm IV,
capitulated to Austria and Russia.
In 1851 the King appointed Bismarck a
representative of Prussia in Federal Seym
in Frankfurt-am-Main. There Bismarck
came to the conclusion that war with
Austria was inevitable, if Prussia took a
dominant position in the united Germany,
that indicates his political insight and
vision.

6. Gradually Bismarck’s views were
Entering politics becoming more and more far from
the views of the King.
In 1859 Otto was relieved of his
duties and sent as a messenger to
St. Petersburg. There Russian
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince
Gorchakov supported Bismarck in
his efforts to diplomatic isolation
of Austria and then France.
Gorchakov predicted Bismarck
great future.

7. In Russia, Bismarck learned
Russian and spoke rather well.
He understood the peculiarity
of Russian way of thinking that
helped him in the future in
choosing the correct political
line towards Russia.

8. In 1862, Bismarck became Prime
Bismarck - Minister- Minister, later - the Minister-
President of Prussia
President and Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Prussia and held military
reform. The policy of Bismarck led to
three wars:
• with Denmark in 1864,
• with Austria in 1866 and
• with France (the Franco-Prussian
War of 1870-1871.)
Bismarck emphasized: "The great
questions of the time will be solved
by blood and iron".

9. Bismarck - Minister-
President of Prussia When Prussia began to win over the
French victory after victory, none of
major European countries supported
France. This was the result of
Bismarck’s diplomacy, managed to
achieve the neutrality of Russia and
England. Bismarck's foreign talent was
in the ability to build a policy on the
use of the contradictions between
European states.

10. In 1871, in Versailles, William I
Bismarck - Chancellor appointed Bismarck Chancellor of the
of the German Empire German Empire.
"Iron Chancellor" reformed German
law, management and finance.
Education reforms of 1873 led to the
conflict with the Roman Catholic Church.
Schools were separated from the church,
civil marriage was introduced.
Bismarck introduced favourable
domestic rates and regulated taxes
skillfully.

11. During Bismarck’s management Germany
Bismarck - Chancellor began to turn into a colonial empire.
of the German Empire
His economic and financial policies was
consistent with the interests of the German
industrialists and large landowners.
Chancellor introduced the system of state
sickness insurance in 1883.
German engineers were the best in Europe,
and craftsmen worked around the world.

12. Bismarck - Chancellor When William II became the king in
of the German Empire
1888, Bismarck lost the control over the
government and resigned. He received
the title of Duke and was awarded the
rank of colonel of cavalry.
Being retired Bismarck published his
memoirs, which were of great success.
He continued to interfere in the current
policy, taking an active part in the press
campaigns.

13. "Iron Chancellor" died in 1898 and was buried
on his estate Friedrichsruhe. On the tomb there
was the inscription: "Faithful servant of the
German Kaiser Wilhelm I".
Bismarck ‘s "Thoughts and memories"
(Gedanken und Erinnerungen” is a literary
monument to him and "Big Politics European
offices" (Die grosse Politik der europaischen
Kabinette) serves as a monument to his
diplomatic skills.
There are Bismarck monuments in all major
cities of Germany, streets and squares are
named after him.
He was called Reichsmaher - «the maker of the
empire", "the creator of the nation."

14. Links
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuglylogic/3485589101/
• http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h49-bis7.htm
• http://www.military-quotes.com/otto-von-bismarck.htm
• http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n79-18384
• http://suite101.com/article/the-impact-of-otto-von-bismarck-a193226