Bismarck gained control of Prussia in 1862 and immediately set upon unifying the German confederation with a policy of ‘iron and blood’. Perhaps the most skillful practitioner of realpolitik in history, he joined forces with Austria to defeat Denmark in 1864, and with Italy in 1866 to defeat Austria. In 1870, he dealt France a humiliating defeat and annexed Alsace and Lorraine. He became Chancellor soon after and remained in office till 1890. In the Bismarkian era, Germany was the most powerful state on the continent. Yet, Bismarck strove to maintain – not alter – the balance of power in Europe. Why?
The Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan
Bismarck gained control of Prussia in 1862 and immediately set upon unifying the German confederation with a policy of ‘iron and blood’. Perhaps the most skillful practitioner of realpolitik in history, he joined forces with Austria to defeat Denmark in 1864, and with Italy in 1866 to defeat Austria. In 1870, he dealt France a humiliating defeat and annexed Alsace and Lorraine. He became Chancellor soon after and remained in office till 1890. In the Bismarkian era, Germany was the most powerful state on the continent. Yet, Bismarck strove to maintain – not alter – the balance of power in Europe. Why?