Otto von Bismarck photographed in military uniform at the age of 77. The Junker Prussian statesman dominated European affairs from the 1860s until 1890
Otto von Bismarck photographed in military uniform at the age of 77. The Junker Prussian statesman dominated European affairs from the 1860s until 1890
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If we had the choice between a Bismarck II (not in name but mind) in the chair of EU Commission or as Channeller of Germany I’m not sure what I would prefer.
WW1 wouldnt have happened if Germany had a leader half as competent as him 40 years later.
My father always told me that Bismarck was the reason why Silesia is no longer German. Unlike other parts of today’s Poland that were part of the German Empire, Silesia did not have a national identity back then. After World War I, Silesians did not vote for Poland because of a sense of national identity, but because for once they wanted to feel like citizens in their own country. As a consequence of Bismarck’s policies, non-Germans had very limited social mobility since most prominent positions were restricted to Germans.
Literally forged the Reich through sheer will
Der is bisschen ein Otto geworden.
~1892
Haut doch die Polen, daß sie am Leben verzagen; ich habe alles Mitgefühl für ihre Lage, aber wir können, wenn wir bestehn wollen, nichts andres tun, als sie ausrotten; der Wolf kann auch nicht dafür, daß er von Gott geschaffen ist, wie er ist, und man schießt ihn doch dafür totd, wenn man kann.
Such a fascinating figure.
Was he still Chancellor at 77? I think Adenauer was the oldest Chancellor ever but Bismarck would be close. (If you count East Germany too Ulbricht was close and Honecker maybe?)
so cool
oh man look at grandpa’s drip bro. sick
Ah, the father of prussian anti-polonism who said that poles should be treated like worms getting so much love here.
May he rest in peace
It’s a shame he hadn’t died fifty years prior
Is that jacket gore-tex™ or something? It looks too smooth for cotton or wool.
He and the Prussian mindset/ethics are the worst. Disgusting
Wasn’t he incredibly racist towards the Poles?
Father of Kulturkampf being praised on this subreddit? Who will be next? Hitler?
Blood and iron.
He would be proud to see how strong and powerful Germany is more than 150 years after he created German empire.
What a clown
Hes the second Chadest Chad to ever Chad after Theodore Roosevelt
His thoughts survive in German unconcious mainstream up to this day, with politicians still using main points of Mitteleuropa to guide their foreign policies.
You could argue that he might be the most influential figure in history, considering how his actions shaped the world up to present day.
Couldn’t they have used a nicer sheet in the background and hung up it straight?
Not trying to be fan boy but this is the first picture or painting of him where he seems very Human, Its hard to describe but… This is the first time i have seen him and thought “Oh yeah, Thats someone i might see just walking around”
Is this why the Prussian army keeps stomping me in eu4?
He looks like a sad beaver or weasel
By far one of the greatest Germans if not the greatest German in history.
Bismarck was the founding father of Germany as we know it and a diplomatic genius.
In reality he was an old man in search for power, and his ideals fostered a country that would not hesitate to use total war to gain what they thought they were entitled to.
I wonder if he thought the spike on his helmet made him look cool
Always be yourself. unless you can be Bismarck. Then, be Bismarck.
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Here is a great Zach Twamley series about young Bismarck.
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http://www.wdfpodcast.com/thevassalstate/bismarck-rise
I live in Berlin where i also own a restaurant. In the building where my restaurant is, lives one of his a niece. She is a bitch and i hate her dearly