Otto von Bismarck divides opinion among historians. Some, like Dr Neil Faulkner, believe he is the greatest military leader of all time. Others suggest he is responsible for the conflicts of the 20th century as his carefully balanced deck of cards collapsed once he was dismissed from office by Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Certainly, there is no question that Bismarck transformed the fortunes of Germany. When he took over as Prime Minister of Prussia in 1862, it languished behind Russia in the powerbroker stakes. Under Bismarck, it went from being an unstable state with an outdated monarchy to part of a powerful German Empire which was the strongest in Europe. Let’s take a look at the life of the Iron Chancellor.
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