Bismarck's Influences on German Policy

Bismarck loves Prussia in its unique culture. Bismarck initially disliked German independent diverse cultures, but soon changed the mindset. He lived in Frankfurt for eight years, where he experienced a completely different business and cultural environment than the land of Prussia. In 1849, Bismarck became the Prussian House of Representatives (Prussian General Assembly) and transferred his family to Berlin. At this stage, he is far from the German nationalists.

After Otto von Bismarck unified Germany as the "German Empire", he governed German politics until 1890 as the prime minister. Bismarck tried to establish an alliance with Europe to contain France and to strengthen German influence in Europe. Bismarck's foreign policy since 1871 was conservative and tried to preserve the balance of power in Europe. British historian Eric Hobbsbaum said, "He concluded that he was still an undeniable world champion in the multilateral diplomacy chess game in the past 20 years after 1871 and he himself was completely successful. The main concern of France is that France will retaliate against the failure of the French-Prussian war later: since the French army lacked the power to defeat Germany, they sought an alliance with Russia, It will bring Germany to the middle of the war (which will eventually happen in 1914) Russia, Austria, Germany signed the Three Emperor Alliance in 1872

Bismarck is familiar with Austrian foreign policy. Prussia broke the Austrians in 1866 in a 7-week war. But Bismarck definitely knows that Austria is important for unification in Germany. He does not want big Germany, but a small German guarantees Prussia to rule Germany. In France - Prussia conflict, Bismarck was very concerned about the neutrality of Austria. In fact, he attempted to restore the relationship between Austria and Prussia, and in 1866 he handed the former to the losers of the war. He forced William I to treat Austria generously with the threat of suicide. Finally, according to the Prague Treaty, Central Europe's initiative was lost only to Venice, Holstein, and the Federal President of Germany. She is still a strong country in central Europe