Otto von Bismarck

:Alternative meanings: See Bismarck (disambiguation).

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Prince Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck-Schönhausen, Duke of Lauenburg (April 1, 1815 – July 30, 1898) was one of the most prominent European aristocrats and statesmen of the nineteenth century. As Prime Minister of Prussia from 1862 to 1890, he engineered the unification of the numerous states of Germany. Thereafter, he served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire from 1871 to 1890; he is nicknamed the Iron Chancellor.

Related Topics:
Lauenburg - April 1 - 1815 - July 30 - 1898 - Europe - Nineteenth century - Prime Minister of Prussia - 1862 - 1890 - Germany - Chancellor of the German Empire - 1871

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He was Graf von Bismarck-Schönhausen (Count Bismarck-Schönhausen) in 1865, then since 1871 Fürst von Bismarck (Prince Bismarck) and since 1890 the Herzog von Lauenburg (Duke of Lauenburg). The ducal title, which he received upon his dismissal from office, he refused initially only to later accept.

Related Topics:
Graf - Fürst - Herzog von Lauenburg

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A Junker, Bismarck held deep monarchist, aristocratic and Prussian nationalist views. His most significant policy objective was that of securing German unification; he took advantage of skillful diplomacy and a series of wars to achieve this goal. Bismarck, a conservative, combated mainly but unsuccessfully socialist movements as well as the Catholic Church. In order to satisfy the working class, however, he enacted many social reforms; for instance, he instituted publicly funded health and accident insurance, as well as pensions for the elderly and infirm. In foreign affairs, Bismarck pursued the goal of uniting Germany, or more accurately, enlarging Prussia, and securing the German Empire's position by maintaining peace in Europe.

Related Topics:
Junker - Monarch - Aristocratic - Nationalist - Diplomacy - Conservative - Socialist - Catholic Church - Pension

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