Otto Bismarck is one of the most famous politicians of the 19th century. He had a significant impact on political life in Europe, developed a security system. He played a key role in the unification of the German peoples into a single national state. He was awarded many prizes and titles. Subsequently, historians and politicians will evaluate the Second Reich in different ways, which was created by Otto von Bismarck.
The biography of the chancellor is still a stumbling block between representatives of various political movements. In this article, we will get to know her better.
Otto von Bismarck: a short biography. Childhood
Otto was born on April 1, 1815 in Pomerania. His family members were cadets. These are the descendants of medieval knights who received land for serving the king. The Bismarcks had a small estate and held various military and civil positions in the Prussian nomenklatura. By German standardsof the 19th century nobility, the family had rather modest resources.
Young Otto was sent to the Plaman school, where the students were tempered with heavy physical exercises. The mother was an ardent Catholic and wanted her son to be brought up in strict norms of conservatism. By adolescence, Otto transferred to the gymnasium. There he did not prove himself to be a diligent student. He could not boast of success in his studies. But at the same time he read a lot and was interested in politics and history. He studied the features of the political structure of Russia and France. I even learned French. At the age of 15, Bismarck decides to commit himself to politics. But the mother, who was the head of the family, insists on studying in Göttingen. Law and jurisprudence were chosen as the direction. Young Otto was to become a Prussian diplomat.
The behavior of Bismarck in Hannover, where he was trained, is legendary. He did not want to study law, so he preferred a wild life to learning. Like all the elite youth, he frequented entertainment venues and made many friends among the nobles. It was at this time that the hot-tempered nature of the future chancellor manifested itself. He often gets into skirmishes and disputes, which he prefers to resolve by a duel. According to the memoirs of university friends, Otto participated in 27 duels in just a few years of his stay in Göttingen. As a lifelong memory of a turbulent youth, he had a scar on his cheek after one of these competitions.
Leaving University
Luxury life side by side with the children of aristocrats and politicians was too expensive forrelatively modest Bismarck family. And the constant participation in troubles caused problems with the law and the leadership of the university. So, without receiving a diploma, Otto left for Berlin, where he entered another university. which he graduated in a year. After that, he decided to follow his mother's advice and become a diplomat. Each figure at that time was personally approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. After studying the Bismarck case and learning about his problems with the law in Hannover, he denied the young graduate a job.
After the collapse of hopes to become a diplomat, Otto works in Anchen, where he deals with small organizational issues. According to the memoirs of Bismarck himself, the work did not require significant efforts from him, and he could devote himself to self-development and recreation. But even in a new place, the future chancellor has problems with the law, so after a few years he enlists in the army. The military career did not last long. A year later, Bismarck's mother dies, and he is forced to return to Pomerania, where their family estate is located.
In Pomerania, Otto faces a number of difficulties. This is a real test for him. Managing a large estate requires a lot of effort. So Bismarck has to give up his student habits. Thanks to successful work, he significantly raises the status of the estate and increases his income. From a serene young man, he turns into a respected cadet. Nevertheless, the quick-tempered character continues to remind of itself. Neighbors nicknamed Otto "mad".
Arrives from Berlin in a few yearssister of Bismarck Malvina. He is very close to her because of their common interests and outlook on life. Around the same time, he becomes an ardent Lutheran and reads the Bible every day. The future Chancellor is engaged to Johanna Puttkamer.
The beginning of the political path
In the 40s of the 19th century, a tough struggle for power between liberals and conservatives began in Prussia. To relieve tension, Kaiser Friedrich Wilhelm convenes the Landtag. Elections are held in local administrations. Otto decides to go into politics and without much effort becomes a deputy. From the first days in the Landtag, Bismarck gained fame. Newspapers write about him as "a rabid junker from Pomerania". He's pretty harsh on liberals. Composes entire articles of devastating criticism of Georg Fincke.
His speeches are quite expressive and inspiring, so that Bismarck is quickly becoming a significant figure in the camp of conservatives.
Confronting liberals
At this time, a serious crisis is brewing in the country. A series of revolutions is taking place in neighboring states. The liberals inspired by it are actively engaged in propaganda among the working and poor German population. There are frequent strikes and strikes. Against this background, food prices are constantly rising, unemployment is growing. As a result, a social crisis leads to a revolution. It was organized by the patriots together with the liberals, demanding from the king the adoption of a new Constitution and the unification of all German lands into one national state. Bismarck was very afraid of thisrevolution, he sends a letter to the king asking him to entrust him with an army campaign against Berlin. But Friedrich makes concessions and partially agrees with the demand of the rebels. As a result, bloodshed was avoided, and the reforms were not as radical as in France or Austria.
In response to the victory of the liberals, a camarilla is created - an organization of conservative reactionaries. Bismarck immediately enters into it and conducts active propaganda through the media. By agreement with the king in 1848, a military coup takes place, and the rightists regain their lost positions. But Frederick is in no hurry to empower his new allies, and Bismarck is effectively removed from power.
Conflict with Austria
At this time, the German lands were heavily fragmented into large and small principalities, which in one way or another depended on Austria and Prussia. These two states waged a constant struggle for the right to be considered the unifying center of the German nation. By the end of the 40s, there was a serious conflict over the Principality of Erfurt. Relations deteriorated sharply, rumors spread about a possible mobilization. Bismarck takes an active part in resolving the conflict, and he manages to insist on the signing of agreements with Austria in Olmück, since, in his opinion, Prussia was unable to resolve the conflict by military means.
Bismarck believes that it is necessary to begin a long preparation for the destruction of Austrian dominance in the so-called German space.
For this, according to Otto, it is necessary to concludealliance with France and Russia. Therefore, with the beginning of the Crimean War, he actively campaigns not to enter into a conflict on the side of Austria. His efforts are bearing fruit: mobilization is not carried out, and the German states remain neutral. The king sees a future in the plans of the "mad junker" and sends him as an ambassador to France. After negotiations with Napoleon III, Bismarck is suddenly recalled from Paris and sent to Russia.
Otto in Russia
Contemporaries say that the formation of the personality of the Iron Chancellor was greatly influenced by his stay in Russia, Otto Bismarck himself wrote about this. The biography of any diplomat includes a period of training in negotiating skills. It was to this that Otto devoted himself in St. Petersburg. In the capital, he spends a lot of time with Gorchakov, who was considered one of the most prominent diplomats of his time. Bismarck was impressed by the Russian state and traditions. He liked the policy pursued by the emperor, so he carefully studied Russian history. I even started learning Russian. A few years later he could already speak it fluently. "Language gives me the opportunity to understand the very way of thinking and logic of Russians," wrote Otto von Bismarck. The biography of the "mad" student and cadet brought notoriety to the diplomat and interfered with successful activities in many countries, but not in Russia. This is another reason why Otto liked our country.
In it he saw an example for the development of the German state, since the Russians managed to unite lands with ethnically identical populations, which was an old dreamGermans. In addition to diplomatic contacts, Bismarck makes many personal connections.
But Bismarck's quotes about Russia cannot be called flattering: "Never trust Russians, because Russians don't even trust themselves"; "Russia is dangerous because of the meagerness of its needs."
Prime Minister
Gorchakov taught Otto the basics of an aggressive foreign policy, which was very necessary for Prussia. After the death of the king, the "mad junker" is sent to Paris as a diplomat. Before him is a serious task to prevent the restoration of the long-standing alliance of France and England. The new government in Paris, created after another revolution, had a negative attitude towards the ardent conservative from Prussia.
But Bismarck managed to convince the French of the need for mutual cooperation with the Russian Empire and the German lands. The ambassador selected only trusted people for his team. Assistants selected candidates, then they were considered by Otto Bismarck himself. Brief biographies of applicants were compiled by the king's secret police.
Successful work in establishing international relations allowed Bismarck to become Prime Minister of Prussia. In this position, he won the true love of the people. Otto von Bismarck graced the front pages of German newspapers weekly. Politician quotes became popular far abroad. Such fame in the press is due to the Prime Minister's love for populist statements. For example, the words: "The great questions of the time are not decided by speeches and resolutions of the majority, but by ironand blood!" are still used along with similar statements of the rulers of Ancient Rome. One of the most famous sayings of Otto von Bismarck: "Stupidity is a gift from God, but it should not be abused."
Prussian territorial expansion
Prussia has long set itself the goal of uniting all German lands into one state. For this, training was carried out not only in the foreign policy aspect, but also in the field of propaganda. The main rival in leadership and patronage over the German world was Austria. In 1866, relations with Denmark sharply escalated. Part of the kingdom was occupied by ethnic Germans. Under pressure from the nationalist part of the public, they began to demand the right to self-determination. At this time, Chancellor Otto Bismarck secured the full support of the king and received extended rights. The war with Denmark began. The Prussian troops occupied the territory of Holstein without any problems and divided it with Austria.
Because of these lands, a new conflict with a neighbor has arisen. The Habsburgs, who sat in Austria, were losing their positions in Europe after a series of revolutions and upheavals that overthrew the representatives of the dynasty in other countries. For 2 years after the Danish war, the hostility between Austria and Prussia grew exponentially. First came trade blockades and political pressure. But it soon became clear that a direct military clash could not be avoided. Both countries began to mobilize the population. Otto von Bismarck played a key role in the conflict. Briefly setting out his goals to the king, he immediatelywent to Italy to enlist her support. The Italians themselves also had claims to Austria, seeking to take possession of Venice. In 1866 the war began. The Prussian troops managed to quickly seize part of the territories and force the Habsburgs to sign a peace treaty on favorable terms.
Unification of lands
Now all the ways to unite the German lands were open. Prussia headed for the creation of the North German Union, the constitution for which was written by Otto von Bismarck himself. The chancellor's quotes about the unity of the German people gained popularity in the north of France. The growing influence of Prussia greatly worried the French. The Russian Empire also began to fearfully wait for what Otto von Bismarck would do, whose brief biography is described in the article. The history of Russian-Prussian relations during the reign of the Iron Chancellor is very revealing. The politician managed to assure Alexander II of his intention to cooperate with the Empire in the future.
But the French could not be convinced of the same. As a result, another war began. A few years earlier, an army reform had been carried out in Prussia, as a result of which a regular army was created.
Military spending also increased. Thanks to this and the successful actions of the German generals, France suffered a number of major defeats. Napoleon III was captured. Paris was forced to make an agreement, losing a number of territories.
On the wave of triumph, the Second Reich is proclaimed, Wilhelm becomes emperor, and his confidant is Otto Bismarck. Quotes from Roman generals at the coronation gave the chancellor another nickname - "triumphant", since then he was often depicted on a Roman chariot and with a wreath on his head.
Legacy
Constant wars and internal political squabbles have seriously crippled the politician's he alth. He went on vacation several times, but was forced to return due to a new crisis. Even after 65 years, he continued to take an active part in all the political processes of the country. Not a single meeting of the Landtag took place if Otto von Bismarck was not present. Interesting facts about the life of the chancellor are described below.
For 40 years in politics, he has achieved tremendous success. Prussia expanded its territories and was able to seize superiority in the German space. Contacts were established with the Russian Empire and France. All these achievements would not have been possible without such a figure as Otto Bismarck. The photo of the chancellor in profile and in a combat helmet has become a kind of symbol of his uncompromisingly tough foreign and domestic policy.
Disputes around this person are still ongoing. But in Germany, everyone knows who Otto von Bismarck was - the iron chancellor. Why he was so nicknamed, there is no consensus. Either because of his quick temper, or because of his ruthlessness towards enemies. One way or another, he had a huge impact on world politics.
Interesting facts
- Bismarck started his morning with exercise and prayer.
- During his stay in Russia, Otto learned to speak Russian.
- In St. PetersburgBismarck was invited to participate in royal fun. This is bear hunting in the woods. The German even managed to kill several animals. But during the next sortie, the detachment got lost, and the diplomat received severe frostbite on his legs. Doctors predicted amputation, but everything worked out.
- In his youth, Bismarck was an avid duelist. He took part in 27 duels and received a scar on his face in one of them.
- Otto von Bismarck was once asked how he chose his profession. He replied: "I was destined by nature to become a diplomat: I was born on the first of April."
