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Otto Von Bismarck, photo by Franz Von Lenbach

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Otto von Bismarck

Otto Von Bismarck was born on April 1, 1815, in Schonhausen, Germany, and died on July 30, 1898, in Friedrichsruh, Aumuhle, Germany. He was the son of Ferdinand Von Bismarck and Wilhelmine Mencken.

He was married to Johanna Von Puttkamer and they were blessed with three children; Wilhelm Von Bismarck, Marie Von Bismarck, and Herbert Von Bismarck. His father was a Junker squire descended from a Swabian family.

Otto’s mother came from an educated background family that had produced several civil servants. She was married at age of 16. Bismarck served as the Chancellor of North German from 1867 to 1871. His last words and wish before dying was that he would once again see Johanna his wife, who had passed away.

1. He became Prime Minister of Prussia under Wilhelm 1

Wilhelm 1 became King of Prussia in 1861 and ordained Bismarck as his Chief Minister. He served as Prime Minister of Prussia from 1862 to 1890. He became the First Chancellor and founder of the German Empire from 1871 to 1890.

Bismarck once won the German-speaking territories of Schleswig-Holstein from Denmark in 1864. He defeated the ageing Austrian Empire in the Austro-Prussian battle in 1866.

2. He was not in Favour of Colonization at the First

Otto Bismarck photo by A. Bock Mann

Bismarck was not in agreement to join the colonization nationality. He saw overseas colonies as a waste of money and men and he never wanted to welcome any reasons for competition between Germany and British.

He rejected the colonial accession because he saw it as difficult to maintain, obtain, build up and defend search monopolies. However, three things changed his mind over time which is; one, German nationalists viewed colonies as a symbol of glory.

Secondly, the growth of Germany as an industrial nation needed raw materials. Lastly, Germany’s population was growing rapidly in a way that they
needed land for the nation.

3. Otto Invented Pension

One of the most neglected Bismarck’s achievements was his idea to provide the elderly with government assistance; he created the concept of the pension. His competitors demanded change and he came up with the idea of a state-funded pension to fend off calls for more radical reforms.

Otto wanted to ensure the economy kept regulating efficiently by sustaining the well-being of workers. However, he was accused of being a socialist and entertaining the nation with state-aided assistance to the elderly even though all he was concerned about was keeping the nation in a state of growth.

In 1989,  Germany’s retirement system was acknowledged after providing for people over the age of 70. When the retirement system was fully established, Germany almost had the full set of social insurance programs; sickness insurance was created in 1883 and the worker’s compensation program followed in 1884. In 1927 the system was finished with the unemployment insurance program.

4. Warmonger

Otto Von Bismarck, photo by Pilartz Jacques

When Wilhelm 1 became emperor in 1861 he named Bismarck as his Chief Minister.  He had created a reputation for being a diplomatic genius but he honestly wasn’t afraid of sending Prussia to war.

 Iron Chancellor tried to cultivate the image of belonging to the Prussian Junker class, wearing military outfits was one way of doing this. However, he only served in the army for a brief period before returning home and establishing a career as a diplomat.

From 1864 to 1870 he financed three short wars and by 1871, Prussia had founded the second Reich which lasted until 1918. On February 1, 1864, the second Schleswig war between Prussia and Denmark began. It was part of Bismarck’s huge plan for Germany’s reunification. Since Austria was big he engineered the disagreement to diminish Austrian power in Europe.

5. Managed a Remarkable Balancing Act

As a Chancellor of the new Empire, he faced two challenges in his role; First, he needed to keep the empire strong by addressing domestic issues and enhancing the economy. Secondly to maintain the balance of power in Europe and stave off Germany’s enemies from attempting revenge for the defeats they suffered.

The Catholic population made up over one-third of Germany’s population which made him struggle with culture in the 1870s. The Parochial school was placed under a state of control and expelled the Jesuits from the country. Otto was wise enough and saw the threat of socialism and decided to become allied with the Catholics to fight against danger.

In 1871, the time of unification the Germany Empire was in great shape. It maintained an organized society, a large domestic workforce, and enormous natural resources. Germany became the economic powerhouse of Europe. The result was a huge increase in steel, iron, and coal production.

6. His Work Was Ruined 

Otto Von Bismarck photo by A. Bockmann

In 1888, Kaiser Wilhelm died and was replaced by Freidrich II. The new monarch reigned for just 99 days as he succumbed to cancer of the larynx. Otto did not have a plan to deal with Friedrich II’s replacement, Wilhelm II since he thought he wouldn’t live long enough to serve under the impetuous Kaiser.

The relationship between Wilhelm II and Bismarck was a disaster since they had various beliefs. The slow, careful and fruitful diplomacy of Otto was replaced by confrontation with Germany’s enemies. In 1890, the governor marginalized Bismarck and forced him to retire from his office.

The iron chancellor had just left office when his delicate system of alliances began to fall apart. In 1890, the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia was not renewed which led Germany to a serious problem in the incident of war.1n 1894 Bismarck was not done with politics and was elected to Reichstag as a National Liberal.

7. Created the First Welfare State in the world

Bismarck founded national health care, old-age pensions, and accident insurance. He was cautious, careful, and mindful of others and wanted to win the support of the working classes. This was one of the best interesting facts about Bismarck.

8. Known as the Iron Chancellor

Otto Von Bismarck at his study photo by A. Bock Mann

He was Prime Minister of Prussia and was made chancellor of the new German Empire he had created. His undertaking was directed to domestic issues to maintain the united German states together. He became known as the “Iron Chancellor” for his powerful hold.

9. The Chancellor’s Great-grandson was asked to Resign

Prinz Carl Eduard Von Bismarck, Otto von Bismarck’s great-grandson, was referred to as the laziest Member of Parliament in the history of Germany by Bilt newspaper in 2007.

He had only attended half a parliamentary session and not a single meeting in his district. He was requested to resign by Chancellor Angela Merkel, which he did in December 2007, one month before being suitable for a pension.

10. Otto was a Junker

Otto Von Bismarck, photo by Franz Von Lenbach

His father Ferdinand Von Bismarck was a Junker (Junker families were Prussia’s landed gentry) squire descended from a Swabian family that had ultimately settled as estate owners in Pomerania. Otto Von Bismarck was a conservative German statesman and diplomat. From his origins in the upper class of Junker landowners, Bismarck rose rapidly in Prussian politics and from 1862-1890 he was the Minister-President and Foreign Minister of Prussia.