Essay On Otto Von Bismarck

From the early 1860s to 1890s Otto von Bismarck had set himself in the history books. In September 1862 William I turned to the help of this man who, more than any other single individual, “shaped the next thirty years of European history” (Kagan, Ozment, Turner 550-551). Bismarck was a realist, who’s belief that actions spoke louder than words, committing more trust in power and action rather than in ideas. Bismarck’s upbringing, lifestyle, education and parents shaped how he became an autocratic leader.

Otto Eduard Leopold von “Iron Chancellor” Bismarck was born on April 1st, 1815 at Schönhausen which is a municipal in Brandenburg, Prussia. Bismarck’s father was a Prussian army officer and a landowning nobleman better know as a Junker. His father aided the Prussian state with most of its army officers and administrators. Bismarck’s mother was a very intelligent and well educated. His mother’s side of the family was well know and contained high state officials and scholars. Bismarck was sent away to Berlin in order to pursue a higher degree of education at the age of six. He attended the University of Gottingen at the age of seventeen but eventually dropped out of University to take care of the family estates back at Schönhausen. Eventually Bismarck began gaining a reputation once he became a deputy in the Prussian United Diet in 1847. (Williamson 14-15)

Because Bismarck’s parents were so highly acquainted with Prussian nobility, Bismarck was raised around the power and authority of his father and the brilliant mind of his mother. Both of his parents were seated in high positions Because of their position, Otto von Bismarck was able to have access to the Prussian royal household, which eventually led him to be...

... middle of paper ...

...ent, Turner 550-551)

Otto von Bismarck was extremely hard working. When he had a goal or task in mind, he completed it. The willingness to give up school in order to take care of his family’s estate shows that he was very family oriented. Bismarck most likely looked up to his parents greatly and as Bismarck lead, he intended to do great things and accomplish what he needed to in order to gain his father’s pride and respect. Overall, the main influence of Otto von Bismarck was his parents and his drive to succeed in what he set his mind to. During his almost 30 year reign, he developed in a family of nobility and through the process became a prime minister, controlled most of Germany and claimed the title of chancellor. On March 20, 1890 Bismarck resigned and to certain historians of the Weimar period who saw “1890 as the end of a golden age”. (Williamson 90-91)