Bismark Essay Research Paper

Bismark Essay, Research Paper

Otto Von Bismarck was born on April 1, 1815. He was born at Schonhausenin

in the Old Mark of Bradenburg. There were three in his family, no mention of brothers or sisters.

Otto?s father was a Junker and his mother was the daughter of an influential civil servant. He

studied law at Gottingen University at Hanover. Otto had only few tragedies in life. The most

significant was that his mother, Wilhelmine, would give encouragement but showed no outward

signs of love. He was married and had two sons and a daughter.

After studying law, he spent a brief time in the civil service. Otto returned to the

family estate for eight years where he gained a reputation as a hard-drinking womanizer. But he

also was an eloquent speaker. Prince William, the king of Prussia, appointed Bismarck the

ambassador to Russia where he felt Otto would do no harm. Bismarck believed he was realistic but

others felt he was dangerous. Some accused him of being a ?Red Reactionary.? Even though

William and his wife, Queen Augusta, both despised Bismarck. Bismarck talked William into

naming him Prime Minister of Prussia.

Bismarck went to the Prussian Parliament for military funds to achieve supreme

power. When the liberals refused, he took the money without their authorization. The politicians

were upset by his aggressiveness but secretly admired Bismarck for his ability to take control.