German History, Part Four

Otto von Bismarck became King William’s prime minister in 1862. Bismarck created the economic, social, military and political foundations that brought about German unity and supremacy. He introduced modern industrial techniques which rapidly expanded manufacturing activity, especially in such basic industries as steel, shipbuilding, and railroad equipment.

Bismarck advised William I to unify the Germans by adopting a policy of aggression toward other countries. He felt that a policy of “blood and iron” (military success and industrial progress) would guarantee national greatness. The Prussians successfully fought the Danes in 1864 and the Austrians two years later. From 1870 to 1871, Prussia fought with France in the Franco-Prussian War. The Prussians were again victorious. The German people achieved a feeling of unity in their pride in the nation’s military strength and success.

Bismarck made a new constitution and a legislature. Citizens were able to vote for their representatives to the Reichstag, one of the houses in the legislature. Members of the other House, the Bundesrat, were appointed. The Prussian king, William, was crowned kaiser (emperor) of all Germany. Meanwhile, other European nations that were already strongly united had taken over territory in other parts of the world.

William’s grandson, William II, wanted his country to be as great as the others. He thought Bismarck’s ways of doing things were too slow, so he dismissed him. The kaiser claimed land in Africa. In Germany, new industries, transportation systems, and communications networks were expanded rapidly. The Germans also built a large fleet of ships. Other European powers became alarmed by Germany’s growth. They made mutual defense treaties with one another for protection.