The Place and Role of Otto von Bismarck in the Process of Creation of the German Empire

Abstract

The article examines the origins, evolution and features of the process of creating a unified German Empire. Particular attention is paid to the historical figure of the 19th century - Otto von Bismarck. His personality, talent as a statesman and politics are of great interest among historians, political scientists, and attract the attention of many scientists to him. The role and place of the diplomatic and military activities of the Chancellor of Prussia, O. von Bismarck, in the process of unifying the German lands and forming the German Empire is traced. The political history of Prussia in the mid-19th century is impossible without studying the issues of the multifaceted activities of O. von Bismarck.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the features of the strategy and tactics of O. von Bismarck regarding the creation of a unified German Empire from his appointment as Chancellor of Prussia in 1862 to the unification of Germany in 1871, which is a key complex for covering the history of international relations as a whole and understanding the essence of the events and processes that led to the First World War.

The theoretical and methodological foundations of this publication are the principles of historicism and scientific objectivity, systematicity, and comprehensiveness. In solving the above-mentioned tasks, the following general scientific and special scientific research methods were used: historiographic analysis, logical, problem-chronological, descriptive, and biographical methods.

The scientific novelty lies in the comprehensive analysis of the diplomatic and military activities of the Chancellor of Prussia, O. von Bismarck, in the process of unifying the German lands and forming the German Empire, which had previously remained insufficiently covered in the existing historiography.

The article examines the dynamics of the development of the process of creating a unified German Empire. The priority of such unification, which was carried out as a result of the dynastic wars of Prussia with Denmark, Austria, and France, which allowed Germany to become one of the leading countries in Europe, is analyzed. The results of the study indicate that since his appointment as Prime Minister in 1862, the activities of O. Bismarck have determined German politics. “With iron and blood”, but at the same time with diplomatic talent, in 1871 he realized the dreams of founding an empire, although he was unable to fully stabilize the internal situation, as evidenced by the confrontation with political Catholicism and the labor movement.

Thus, we can draw the following conclusions: the establishment of the German Empire as a result of three wars waged under the leadership of Prussia: in 1864 - together with Austria - against Denmark for Schleswig-Holstein; in 1866 - against Austria, after which the predecessor of the German Empire was formed - the North German Confederation; and in 1870-1871 - against France changed the balance of power in Europe; the "blood feud" with France only intensified. The position of Germany, located in the center of Europe, was precarious, but O. von Bismarck skillfully avoided all the dangers that lurked for the newly created state after 1871, thanks to his large-scale and cunning policy in the foreign policy arena. O. von Bismarck's successors, in their thoughtless pursuit of world domination, destroyed his achievements.