Bismarck

Question 1

Describe Bismarck’s head
(his mindset and principles)

Answer 1

• loyal monarchist
• anti-liberal, but cooperated with them to gain their support in his projects
• arguing in 1859 for Kleindeutschland
• realpolitik – main aim to increase power of a state for practical reasons, rather than idealistic reasons.

Question 2

Describe Bismarck’s heart
(how he felt)

Answer 2

• perceived as an ambitious and ruthless politician
• contemporaries mistakenly viewed him as a conservative reactionary
• seen as unpredictable
• main aim was Prussian domination over North Germany
• no previous ministerial experience, other politicians did not expect him to last long in position

Question 3

Describe Bismarck’s hands
(what he did)

Answer 3

• 1848, March Days, Berlin Riots, joined in counter-revolutionary plots
• 1850, spoke in the Erfurt Parliament in defence of William’s surrender at Olmutz – became Prussian envoy to Bundestag at Frankfurt until 1859
• 1860, Prussian ambassador to Russia

Question 4

Describe Bismarck’s feet
(his background)

Answer 4

• 4 years in civil service, 1 year in military, ran family estates until age 32 in 1847
• got married to a deeply religious wife
• elected to the Prussian United Diet in 1847

Question 5

How was Bismarck appointed? Describe the constitutional crisis.

Answer 5

• 1860 ~ 1862
• parliament agreed to increase military budget for a year, rejected extending term of military service to 3 years
• 1861, radical liberal ministers formed Progressive Party within the parliament, proritised a popular and became the largest party
• they would not approve the money bill for the army
• William would not approve extended military service of 2 years
• he dissolved the parliament and filled the new one with conservatives.
• elections did not work out, the Progressives and other opposition groups now had the majority
• parliament refused to pass the army bill again
• William, advised by General von Roon, appointed Bismarck as chief minister, seen as an affront to the liberals
• Bismarck’s first speech to parliament failed to gain him liberal support
• Bismarck withdrew the proposal for the army bill and financed army reforms from taxing the soldiers