Why Is Bismarck Too Harsh

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Recommended: Bismarck and the unification of Germany

Otto Von Bismarck, best-known for uniting Germany for the first time in 1871. Before, Bismarck, there was no Germany, instead it was the German Confederation, which consisted of 39 separate German states. The German states were defined by their different cultures and languages. They were not unified under one leader like most European countries. After, Bismarck, Germany is defined as a strong, powerful nation to be wrecked with.
Some people believe that Bismarck was too harsh, however he’s the one to successfully unify Germany. Following the model of a realpolitik, which called for using the means necessary (illegal or violent) to improve the state. He followed Machiavelli’s theory of the “lion” and the “fox”, to be strong and cunning. He …show more content…

Following the motto of “iron and blood”, Bismarck engaged in three separate wars that led to Germany’s unification. He aided Russia in crushing the Polish revolt, securing ties between the two nations. He provoked a crisis over territories between Austria and Prussia, this led to the Seven Weeks’ War. His ties with other powerful nations like Russia, France, and Italy aided them in winning the war. Most importantly, Austria proved no match to Prussia’s strong army created by Bismarck. The end of this war successfully made Austria stay out of German affairs. He showed his sly, calculative side through the Ems Dispatch, where Bismarck edited a telegram, in order to make Prussia and France angry at each other. France declared war on Prussia, however with Germany’s strong army due to Bismarck, they were able to defeat France. He realized that this war could unite all German states and it did as it brought Germany together to fight against France. Bismarck secured ties with powerful nations with his calculated methods and created complex, secret alliances. Such as, the Dual Alliance between Austria or the Dreikaiserbund with Russia and Austria. Furthermore, Bismarck established the North German Confederation, where

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