William Tyler
Bismarck’s Rule
Summary
Bismarck, in most people’s minds, conjures up a picture of a militarist who brought about German Unification in 1871. Yet, that is only part of the story of this extraordinary man. In home affairs, first in Prussia and then in Germany, he proved to be a reformer and a pioneer. He led reforms in education, in agriculture, in industry, in social welfare, and in national infrastructure projects such as railways, as well as much else. At the age of 75, Bismarck’s remarkable career ended abruptly with his dismissal by Kaiser Wilhelm I’s grandson, the unbalanced Wilhelm II, in 1890.
But questions remain. Was Bismarck anti-Semitic, laying the groundwork for The Third Reich? Was he anti-Catholic? Did he create a genuinely democratic State or did it at its heart remain autocratic? Was he a genuine liberal or a closet conservative?
William Tyler
William Tyler has spent his entire professional life in adult education, beginning at Kingsgate College in 1969. He has lectured widely for many public bodies, including the University of Cambridge and the WEA, in addition to speaking to many clubs and societies. In 2009, William was awarded the MBE for services to adult education, and he has previously been a scholar in residence at the London Jewish Cultural Centre.
There’s no need for us to form an alliance against Bismarck. He isn’t threatening us. The danger comes afterwards. Austria-Hungary is a broken reed, anyhow. But Britain doesn’t need to think about it until after Bismarck has gone. Then it does form alliances, but certainly not with Austria-Hungary, but with France and Russia. And that’s the alliance that takes us into the First World War.
A clash of personalities is a basic answer. And secondly, because Bismarck would not go along with aggressive foreign policies.
Ooh, I don’t know. If I’m going to meet somebody like history, make it worth my while. I’d like to have met, I don’t know. Elizabeth, I, Catherine the Great? Oh, it has to be a woman. I don’t particularly want to meet Bismarck.