Bismarck and the German Empire

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This book on the great Prussian and later German Chancellor Bismarck by mr. Eyck, written in the 60's still holds the grasp of the imagination and facts to this day. This is important reading leading up to WWI because all the causes of that war can be seen by reading the history of the great Chancellor. Although that is of course touched on much later in the book it is worth noting that this book lays down very clearly that Bismarck valued the stability of Germany with a King over everything and would only wage war if it did not interfere with those facts. This book starts out with the early life of Bismarck, his failures and later achivements. He credits his mother with his intelligence and his father only for his title as a Junker or Elite in German society. People trying to read European History have to read this book because Prussia WAS involved in everything in Europe after the revolutions of 1848. From becoming a unifided country, to competing for lands in Africa to finally the Kaiser wrestling control from Bismarck. That is how the book ends. But all the causes for the great war can be seen started in the Bismarck time period. The Franco-Prussian war, how it started and the final unification on Germany. The Austro-Prussian war and how it put Austria out of German affairs. Also it is interesting to read to Bismarck Manipualted every one he was in contact with, most easily the Kaiser at the time. Very interesting. The Great War was inevitable I belive and the causes of it were mostly Economic. As Germany Unified they were threatening Britain as the leader in manufactured goods. They were cutting deeper and deeper into the British control of world trade. The Armamemnt race just was the subject that pushed everything forward. Lest not forget that before the U.S ruled in world dominance it was Britain who led the way for more than 200 years. Germany or the Kaiser's Germany made mistakes as well. Bismarck left a complicated system behind of treaties and alliances. The Kaiser chose to ignore them. Bismarck was the leader of leaders and an Icon in Prussian and German Diplomacy. The one thing to understand is that one can't live forever and once a man dies most likely his work dies with him.

Erich Eyck has written a history of the political career of Otto von Bismarck , explaining how Bismarck united the loose collection of weak German states during the mid 1800s by skillfully manipulating international relations and domestic politics. We see how Bismarck recklessly used his understanding of the desires and weaknesses of those around him. This perceptive understanding rarely failed Bismarck. Erich Eyck tells only enough of Bismarck's early life to display his self confidence. Eyck tells how in his early life Bismarck declined to work in the Prussian government, because, as Bismarck explains, "The Prussian official is like a member in an orchestra, but I want play only the music which I myself like, or no music at all." Eventually Bismarck got the chance to play the music he wanted to play, even if no one else but the king wanted to hear it. Bismarck became the preeminent individual in international politics. Bismarck was also the master of German domestic politics, manipulating the various parties for his own ends. Eventually no one in Europe would dare leave Bismarck out of their calculations. But Bismarck finally wore out his welcome when the times he had created changed and he did not change with them. Bismarck had gaps in his understanding. Bismarck could not understand anything he could not control or manipulate. He could not understand economics. He could not understand that someone could act from purely altruistic reasons, what he called humanitarian rubbish.Erich Eyck writing contains much shrewd analysis, although this makes his writing as labyrinthine as Bismarck's tactics.

Erich Eyck's Bismarck and the German Empire is a thorough analysis of German history that demonstrates how Bismarck emerged as the premier European statesman of his day and what that meant to German development. Eyck's book is not biographical, but rather shows how Bismarck permeated every aspect of German politics.. At times Eyck's writing is as complex as Bismarckian diplomacy, but the reader will find this an indispensable addition to understanding German history.Eyck illustrates Bismarck's genius in working to unify Germany under Prussian leadership, but is not afraid to criticize Bismarck when warranted (he even uses a using biblical reference to chastise Bismarck at one point). Bismarck used alliances with Austria, France, Italy, and Russia at various times to further Prussian or German objectives, then subsequently dissolved many such alliances as Bismarck's ambitions changed. Eyck suggests that European history would have been vastly different had Bismarck pursued a similar alliance with Britain. But because Bismarck could never dominate British diplomats like he did those from the continent, such an alliance proved impossible. However, part of Bismarck's genius was knowing when to stop wars of aggression (Bismarck did not fight a war after he defeated France in 1871) and opt instead to pursue diplomatic channels.Eyck works Bismarck's career to its natural conclusion when he came into conflict with the new emperor, Wilhelm II. The old chancellor is portrayed as having outlived his effectiveness and alienated most Germans in his attempts to retain power.Eyck's writing style is at times cumbersome, but more importantly is the confusing editing. Many times foreign phrases are not translated, particularly lengthy sentences that are part of some important point. However, several short phrases are translated, even those that are quite self-explanatory. But Eyck remains a credible scholar proven by the fact that this volume is still in print in spite of the fact that it is nearly forty years old.

'Bismark and the German Empire' is a facinating look at the 19th century's most cunning diplomat and statesman. The reader is taken on a journey through the political life of Bismark and his Machiavellian scheming that brought Prussia to new hieghts of power. We also see the beginnings of the systems of alliances which would come into play in the First World War. For anyone interested in late 19th century European politics 'Bismark and the German Empire' is must reading.