Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck was the dominant figure in nineteenth century German history and the architect of modern Germany. Under his leadership, Prussia waged three victorious wars and brought about the political unification of Germany in 1871. His policies transformed central Europe, led to a re-alignment of political forces within Germany and shaped a new German identity. But they also left a fateful legacy in the twentieth century, fuelling a virulent German nationalism that culminated in the catastrophe of Hitler and the Third Reich.

Bismarck¿s political career has always excited controversy. Katharine Lerman¿s accessible new study of the ¿Iron Chancellor¿ examines how Bismarck rose to dominate German politics, the ruthless manner in which he exercised power, the constraints on his power and why he was finally ousted in 1890. It provides fresh insights into Bismarck¿s ambiguous political legacy and explores such issues as his role in unification and the complex imperial German political system, his attitude to parliamentary democracy and ethnic minorities, his pioneering development of social welfare legislation and his reputation for diplomatic prowess.

Bismarck was both deified and detested but the pursuit and exercise of political power is central to understanding him as a man and statesman. This is an essential new guide to one of the key figures in modern German history.

Katharine Lerman is Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at London Metropolitan University. She is the author of The Chancellor as Courtier: Bernhard von Bülow and the Governance of Germany 1900-1909 (1990) as well as numerous articles on imperial Germany.

'... both the narrative and the debate are always linked back to the analysis of power. This is an impressive achievement and distinguishes the book from conventional biographical studies of Bismarck.'

John Breuilly, Professor of Modern History, University of Birmingham

'This immediately takes its place as the best short biography of Bismarck in any language. Its command of the material is impressive, and it strikes a sensible balance between the traditional extremes of praising Bismarck as a hero who single-handedly created modern Germany or damning him as a villain who laid the foundations for the later rise of Nazism.'

Richard J. Evans, Professor of Modern History, University of Cambridge

'Dr Lerman's judgement of Bismarck's achievements and his ambiguous legacy is balanced, clear-sighted and sound.

This is a thoroughly recommendable book that will be of great benefit to students of modern Germany and nineteenth-century Europe.'

T.G.Otte, University of East Anglia

 

 

How did Bismarck, Germany¿s greatest nineteenth century leader, extend and maintain his power? This new Profile examines his strengths as statesman and all the facets of his political career. His many direct achievements included the unification of Germany and the expansion of Prussia. In short, he was the architect of Germany¿s change from cultural region to political nation. In the end he combined egotism and brilliance exceptionally, yet it was still not enough to save him from dismissal by William II.

Katherine Lerman is at London Metropolitan University

Preface

1 Personal Power

Family, Education and Early Life

The Junker Inheritance

Women, Marriage and Domestic Life

2 Achieving Power

The Politics of Conservatism

The Issue of Prussian Power

The Impotence of Office

The Opportunity

3 Precarious Power

The Servant of the Crown

Bismarck¿s Government: First Among Equals

Defying Parliament: the Constitutional Conflict

Defying the Nation: the Schleswig-Holstein Crisis and the Gamble on Prussian Power

4 Creative Power

The Austro-Prussian War and Settlement

The North German Confederation

The Goal of National Unity: Relations with the South

The Franco-Prussian War

5 Consolidating Power

Controlling the Executive

The Policies of National Consolidation

Parliaments, Parties and the Press

Bismarck and German Foreign Policy

6 Corrosive Power

Bismarck and the Succession

Surrendering Power

Bismarck in Retirement

Conclusion

Further Reading in English

Chronology