Otto Von Bismack

The mastery Bismarck demonstrated in foreign policy was such that he was able to outwit all other powers and make their leaders appear inadequate. Bismarck believed that the unification of German states was determined by Prussia’s foreign policy. He was also persuaded that "nothing but a change in our foreign attitude can liberate the position of the Crown in domestic matters from the pressure which it will otherwise be impossible to resist." On September 30, 1862 Bismarck followed through on this belief in his famous blood and iron speech, which implied that if Germany was to unify it would be with the use of military force. These armies would than be used in three wars which Bismarck intentionally started though an aggressive foreign policy to unify the country. The Ems Telegram of 1870 was a prime example of Bismarck’s ability to use a hostile foreign policy to outwit a country. After editing a letter sent to Napoleon, Bismarck ensured that the amended version was released to the newspapers and telegraphed to all of Prussia's foreign embassies. French court circles gratified Bismarck's deeper purposes by having the French Empire declare war on the Kingdom of Prussia on July 19th, 1870. Bismarck's ultimate aim, a constitutional German nation-state was achieved through a patriotic frenzy generated by stunning military victories against French forces in the fall of 1870. Bismarck's military successes were noteworthy, but had been achieved at considerable risk. Luck had played a part in the decisive victory at the Battle of Koeniggraetz; otherwise, the war might have lasted much longer than it did. However, this problem would have been a mere stepping stone to the goal that Bismarck eventually achieved, a united Germany established as the German Empire, and the Prussian king, Wilhelm I, crowned