Who?: Otto Von Bismarck
What?: Made Germany into a world power
Where?: Germany
When?: 1860’s-1900
How?: Bismarck is credited as the architect German unification under his policy of "blood and iron". Bismarck used war and deception to unite the German states into a unified nation. The three main events along the road to unification were the War with Denmark (over Schlieswig and Holstein), the Seven Week War (with Austria) and the 1871 Franco-Prussian War with France. Once united Bismarck and Germany began acquiring overseas colonies in Africa and Asia to import cheap raw materials for the expanding German industries.
Main Ideas: 1) Wanted to make Prussia a world power. 2) United the Germans based on religion, language and culture under the leadership of Prussia. 3) Claimed colonies around the globe for Germany by hosting the 1884 Berlin Conference (Scramble for Africa)
Why?: Bismarck was a Prussian nationalist and craved power for his state and his King Kaiser Wilhelm.
Importance: Upset the balance of power in Europe (established at the 1815 Congress of Vienna) that eventually led to World War I
Quote: “We will unite Germany through a policy of blood & Iron ”
Related Terms: 1) nationalism, 2) real politik, 3) Scramble for Africa, 4) Berlin Conference