Imperial Strengths and Weaknesses in Germany in 1980

Imperial Strengths and Weaknesses in Germany in 1980

Bismarck was to be the chief architect of the German Empire. To credit

Otto von Bismarck with uniting Germany throughout the period of 1862

to 1890 seems absurd, given his "contempt for nationalism and

liberalism". Bismarck's main aim initially was Prussian domination of

north Germanyrather than full national unity. He said in 1958 that

there was 'nothing more Germanythan the development of Prussia's

particular interests'. The imperial strengths in Germanyby 1890, was

due to the realistic and often ruthless policies (Realpolitik) of

politicians, like Bismarck, whose only aim was to increase the power

of a state.

'I am not so arrogant as to assume that the likes of us are able to

make history. My task is to keep an eye on the currents of the latter

and steer my ship in them as best I can.' Over the years this

statement from Bismarckproved to be corrected he 'steered'

brilliantly. However there are a number of factors which caused

Germanyto be a supreme world leader, the Prussian army, Prussian

economic success, Economic unity and the Zollverein, German

nationalism and the international situation.

It is not fair to state that Bismarck failed domestically, however it

is true to some extent that his foreign policies, in terms of success

and to some extent importance, did overshadow his practically and

theoretically limited domestic policies. It could be argued that these

limitations were not because of Bismarck's political mismanagement but

because of the social and political situation Germany held at the

time. Bismarck was confronted by several impediments. The fact that

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...Adriatic and

the Aegean. Events finally turned in Bismarck's favour. France avoided

Russian feelers and conservative diplomats won the upper hand in St.

Petersburg. Tsar Alexander III accepted that an alliance with Germany

was better than nothing and signed the Reinsurance Treaty in June

1887. The agreement was that if a third power went to war on Germany,

Russia would remain neutral, and vice versa. This treaty did not

contravene with the Dual Alliance and was seen to be a masterpiece of

Bismarck's diplomatic juggling. Finally, Bismarck secured peace in the

Balkans and between the European powers by publishing the Dual

Alliance in February 1888. This threatened Russia Germany would side

Austria if war was to come about. This along with rumours of the

Mediterranean Agreement persuaded Russia to leave the Balkans alone.