Otto Von Bismarck

EARLY LIFE

Otto Von Bismarck was born on his family estate at Schönhausen, a village on the Elbe, North West of Berlin, on April 1, 1815. His father, Ferdinand Von Bismarck, was a landowner and a former Prussian military officer; his mother, Wilhelmine Mencken, originally belonged to a prosperous bourgeois family. Otto had several siblings, but only an elder brother (Bernhard) and a younger sister (Malvina) survived into adulthood.

A very mischievous child, as a youth Otto was an indefatigable duellist. He was known as the mad Junker.

Bismarck once challenged a scientist to a duel, but backed out after learning that his opponent choose to fight with two pork sausages, one infected with roundworm.

Bismarck in 1873

Otto von Bismarck attended several universities during his academic years. He began his studies at the University of Göttingen in 1832, where he studied law. However, he didn't complete his degree at Göttingen and transferred to the University of Berlin in 1833. At the University of Berlin, Bismarck continued his studies in law and also developed an interest in history and politics. He eventually graduated from the University of Berlin in 1835.

After leaving university, Bismarck entered government service but could only obtain minor administrative positions in Aachen and Potsdam. As his work proved monotonous and uninteresting, he soon resigned as a civil servant.

PRIVATE LIFE

Bismarck was ungainly, physically dominating, stern in expression, prematurely bald. Small hands and feet, clear and ruddy complexion, sparkling eyes, bushy eyebrows. 

Bismarck was known for his distinctive and prominent mustache, which became a recognizable feature of his appearance. It was large, thick, and bushy, extending across his upper lip and often appearing well-groomed. The mustache had a slightly curved shape, framing his mouth and giving him a distinguished and commanding presence. 

Bismarck placed his civil service career in jeopardy after falling in love with an English heiress in Leicester and outstaying his leave trying to win her.

Bismarck married the noblewoman Johanna von Puttkamer (1824–1894) in 1847 on July 28, 1847 in Alt-Kolziglow, near Reinfeld. Their long and happy marriage produced three children, Herbert (b. 1849), Wilhelm (b. 1852) and Marie (b. 1847). Johanna was a shy, retiring and devout Lutheran. She helped iron out some of his madder tendencies.

Bismarck liked to wear informal, simple Prussian country gentleman attire, with a soft hat, neckerchief, coat, trousers and double soiled boots. His formal uniform was that of a Prussian military officer.

Bismarck had a wily and calm temperament. Once in the Prussian Diet he was howled down. He calmly leaned against the tribune, took out a newspaper from his pocket, and read it until everything was calm.  

EARLY CAREER

Bismarck nearly enrolled in the British army in India whilst in England but he decided against it as he couldn't work out what the Indians had done to warrant what they had coming.

In 1862 he was offered a place in the Russian diplomatic service after the Tsar misunderstood a comment about his likelihood of missing Saint Petersburg. Bismarck courteously declined the offer and instead was made sent to Paris to serve as ambassador to France.

During his time as ambassador to France, Bismarck spent as much time as possible in Biarritz as he greatly disliked Paris.

MINISTER PRESIDENT OF PRUSSIA

In 1862, King Wilhelm I appointed Bismarck as Minister President of Prussia.

Bismarck provoked three short, decisive wars against Denmark, Austria, and France, aligning the smaller German states behind Prussia in its defeat of France.

During the Battle of Sadowa in 1866, the King of Prussia exposed himself to danger from gunshot and refused to withdraw in spite of military advice. Bismarck remained silent during arguments, but he gave the king’s horse a sharp unnoticed kick in the flank that caused the animal to go back. With victory at the Battle of Sadowa he warded off Austria and allowed Prussia to take an important place in the confederation of North Germany.

The 1870-71 Franco- Prussian War was engineered by Bismarck by means of an alteration in the famous ems telegram. He tricked the French into this war by altering a telegram from the king of Prussia in which he struck out the king's conciliatory words so that the telegram sounded belligerent. As a result the French declared war.

CHANCELLOR OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE

In 1871, Otto von Bismarck was raised to the rank of Fürst (Prince). He played a crucial role in the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire. After the formation of the German Empire in 1871, Bismarck was appointed as the first Imperial Chancellor (Reichskanzler). In this role, he served as the head of government and was responsible for overseeing the administration of the empire.

Despite his appointment as Imperial Chancellor, Bismarck retained his Prussian offices. He continued to serve as the Minister-President of Prussia, the most powerful state within the German Empire, and also held the position of Foreign Minister. Bismarck's retention of these positions allowed him to exert significant influence over both the Prussian government and the foreign policy of the newly formed German Empire.  

A chronic insomnia sufferer, the Iron Chancellor would nightly devour caviar to give him a thirst for strong beer to help him to sleep. His favorite tipple was Black Velvet, a mixture of champagne and Guinness. He was also partial to burgundy wine.

In 1878 Bismarck presided over the division of Africa by the colonial powers at the Conference of Berlin while eating pickled herrings with both hands. By 1883 he was very bloated, over 17 stone (108 kgs), which made him ill and very bad tempered so for months he lived on a diet of herrings. By 1885 he was down to 14 stone (89 kgs). So the lesson that can be learnt from this is, if at first you don't recede diet, diet again.

The idea that the age of 65 is officially "elderly" was originated by Bismarck when he wanted to get rid of some ageing army officers.

Bismarck in 1881. By Bundesarchiv, Wikipedia Commons

He was the first leader to introduce between insurance schemes for illness, work related accident and chronic invalidism. In 1889 he introduced pension schemes.

Otto von Bismarck's tenure as Imperial Chancellor of the German Empire came to an end on March 18, 1890. Bismarck had served as Chancellor for almost 19 years since the establishment of the empire in 1871. His dismissal was a result of conflicts with Emperor Wilhelm II, who sought to assert his own authority and pursue different policies.

The phrase ‘Dropping the Pilot’ meaning to dispense with a valued leader originated in Prussia in 1890 when a Punch cartoon showed Kaiser Wilhem II leaning over the side of the ship as Otto Bismarck dressed as a pilot walked down the steps to disembark.

DEATH AND LEGACY

After leaving the position of Chancellor, Bismarck retired from politics and focused on writing his memoirs until his death in 1898.

Otto Von Bismarck died on July 30, 1898 at the age of 83 in Friedrichsruh, north Germany, where he is entombed in the Bismarck Mausoleum.

Bismarck on his deathbed,

Bismarck changed Germany from an unruly collection of states dominated by Prussia to a rich powerful country by provoking wars with Denmark, Austria and France. The ensuing patriotic fever united all the states and in 1871 Bismarck founded the new German empire.