L/O 3: What were Bismarck’s intentions for
Purssian and Germany from 1862 to 1866?
1. April 1, 1862: Bismarck is appointed as Minister President of Prussia by King Wilhelm
I.
2. 1864: Bismarck orchestrates the Danish War, leading to Prussian victory and the
annexation of the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein.
3. 1866: Bismarck engineers the Austro-Prussian War, resulting in Prussian dominance
pover the German Confederation and the exclusion of Austria. January 18,
4. 1871: Bismarck achieves the proclamation of the German Empire in the Hall of
Mirrors at Versailles, with Wilhelm I of Prussia becoming the first German Emperor.
5. 1871-1890: Bismarck serves as the first Chancellor of the German Empire,
consolidating the nation and implementing domestic and foreign policies.
6. 1873: Bismarck establishes the Dreikaiserbund (Three Emperors' League) alliance
with Russia and Austria-Hungary.
7. 1878: Bismarck organises the Congress of Berlin, where he mediates disputes and
reorganises the Balkans following the Russo-Turkish War.
8. 1882: Bismarck forms the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy, creating a
defensive alliance against potential threats.
9. 1884-1885: Bismarck convenes the Berlin Conference, during which European
powers discuss and divide Africa into colonial territories.
10. 1890: Bismarck is dismissed from his position by Emperor Wilhelm II, marking the
end of his political career.
11. July 30,1898: Otto von Bismarck passes away at Friedrichsruh, Germany, at the age
of 83.
Why was Bismarck appointed as Minister President of Prussia
in 1862 and what were his attitudes to liberalism and
nationalism?
Bismarck was able to come to power in 1862 because of Prussia’s political crisis, in 1858 the
King of Prussia, Frederick William succumbed to mental and physical breakdowns,
preventing him from continuing ruling, his brother William taking his place.
● This is the catalyst for a new era of reforming
○ Eg: the army
Albrecht von Roon: appointed Minister of War, 1859.
His job was to reform Prussia’s army after the Prussian army became mobilised due to
Austria going to war against France. The mobilisation exposed the weakness in organisation
and war readiness of Prussia’s military.
, He proposed:
● The creation of a larger force
○ Adding 23,000 more men
○ This meant creation of 49 new regiments
○ Developing a more professional force
● To be less reliant on substantial part time reserves
○ They were called the Landwehr/citizen soldiers
Reaction to van Roon’s proposal’s: it was met with strong resistance in the
Landtag (Prussin Parliament) as they were suspicious of a professional army after its
role in suppressing the revolutions of 1848-49.
● They also rejected its cost, using their vote to not pay for the army reforms
● Rejected as it was downgrading the citizen soldiers of the Landwehr
○ They saw these soldiers as a safeguard against attempts at absolute rule
● May 1862: opponents to reform becomes majority in the Landtag
Importance of military reform: as Austria slowly regained their power, Prussia
required a strong army to challenge their domination, without it, it cannot be a great
power. Even with economic changes, it would not be enough for European influence.
● Olmütz would be a prime example of Austria threatening Prussian power
● King’s government against the Landtag had serious issues as if the Landtag won, it
could dominate policy. If King won, it would mean they overrode the constitution
leading to another revolution and a reliance on brute military force
Van Roon’s solution: he calls in Bismarck (who could potentially bring revolution in
the eyes of William) who is appointed Minister President by William, September
1862.
● He had a good reputation among conservatives
● Von Roon also suggested Bismarck had the strength of purpose/unyielding character
capable of forcing through the reforms
● This was extremely risky as he could either turn Prussia into a weak power and be
dominated by liberals or risking the end of the monarchy
○ A war between the conservatives and liberals
Bismarck’s Solution: he shares his thoughts and solutions in a meeting of the
Landtag, 1862, stating that:
● Prussia should build up it’s strength (military) for the “advantageous moment”
● The Treaty of Vienna did not provide strong Prussian borders
● He wanted the use of “blood and iron” to be the thing which settled the “questions of
the day”
○ Speeches and parliamentary discussions were “mistakes”
Purssian and Germany from 1862 to 1866?
1. April 1, 1862: Bismarck is appointed as Minister President of Prussia by King Wilhelm
I.
2. 1864: Bismarck orchestrates the Danish War, leading to Prussian victory and the
annexation of the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein.
3. 1866: Bismarck engineers the Austro-Prussian War, resulting in Prussian dominance
pover the German Confederation and the exclusion of Austria. January 18,
4. 1871: Bismarck achieves the proclamation of the German Empire in the Hall of
Mirrors at Versailles, with Wilhelm I of Prussia becoming the first German Emperor.
5. 1871-1890: Bismarck serves as the first Chancellor of the German Empire,
consolidating the nation and implementing domestic and foreign policies.
6. 1873: Bismarck establishes the Dreikaiserbund (Three Emperors' League) alliance
with Russia and Austria-Hungary.
7. 1878: Bismarck organises the Congress of Berlin, where he mediates disputes and
reorganises the Balkans following the Russo-Turkish War.
8. 1882: Bismarck forms the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy, creating a
defensive alliance against potential threats.
9. 1884-1885: Bismarck convenes the Berlin Conference, during which European
powers discuss and divide Africa into colonial territories.
10. 1890: Bismarck is dismissed from his position by Emperor Wilhelm II, marking the
end of his political career.
11. July 30,1898: Otto von Bismarck passes away at Friedrichsruh, Germany, at the age
of 83.
Why was Bismarck appointed as Minister President of Prussia
in 1862 and what were his attitudes to liberalism and
nationalism?
Bismarck was able to come to power in 1862 because of Prussia’s political crisis, in 1858 the
King of Prussia, Frederick William succumbed to mental and physical breakdowns,
preventing him from continuing ruling, his brother William taking his place.
● This is the catalyst for a new era of reforming
○ Eg: the army
Albrecht von Roon: appointed Minister of War, 1859.
His job was to reform Prussia’s army after the Prussian army became mobilised due to
Austria going to war against France. The mobilisation exposed the weakness in organisation
and war readiness of Prussia’s military.
, He proposed:
● The creation of a larger force
○ Adding 23,000 more men
○ This meant creation of 49 new regiments
○ Developing a more professional force
● To be less reliant on substantial part time reserves
○ They were called the Landwehr/citizen soldiers
Reaction to van Roon’s proposal’s: it was met with strong resistance in the
Landtag (Prussin Parliament) as they were suspicious of a professional army after its
role in suppressing the revolutions of 1848-49.
● They also rejected its cost, using their vote to not pay for the army reforms
● Rejected as it was downgrading the citizen soldiers of the Landwehr
○ They saw these soldiers as a safeguard against attempts at absolute rule
● May 1862: opponents to reform becomes majority in the Landtag
Importance of military reform: as Austria slowly regained their power, Prussia
required a strong army to challenge their domination, without it, it cannot be a great
power. Even with economic changes, it would not be enough for European influence.
● Olmütz would be a prime example of Austria threatening Prussian power
● King’s government against the Landtag had serious issues as if the Landtag won, it
could dominate policy. If King won, it would mean they overrode the constitution
leading to another revolution and a reliance on brute military force
Van Roon’s solution: he calls in Bismarck (who could potentially bring revolution in
the eyes of William) who is appointed Minister President by William, September
1862.
● He had a good reputation among conservatives
● Von Roon also suggested Bismarck had the strength of purpose/unyielding character
capable of forcing through the reforms
● This was extremely risky as he could either turn Prussia into a weak power and be
dominated by liberals or risking the end of the monarchy
○ A war between the conservatives and liberals
Bismarck’s Solution: he shares his thoughts and solutions in a meeting of the
Landtag, 1862, stating that:
● Prussia should build up it’s strength (military) for the “advantageous moment”
● The Treaty of Vienna did not provide strong Prussian borders
● He wanted the use of “blood and iron” to be the thing which settled the “questions of
the day”
○ Speeches and parliamentary discussions were “mistakes”
