Bismarck's effect on Germany and Europe

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Bismarck's effect on Germany and Europe

Through out the 19th century Europe was in a period of conflict. With the final fall of Napoleon and the creation of the Congress of Vienna the ideas of legitimacy, conservatism, nationalism and liberalism were further stressed by various groups. The principal was that the "nations [would] work together to maintain peace in Europe." The congress's policies were focused on legitimacy and conservatism, while all nationalist and liberal movements were suppressed. However the year of 1848 is often known as the year of Revolutions. In this year liberalists and socialists spoke out demanding reforms. Europe was becoming scattered and the idea of working together was completely falling apart. Out of this chaos rose Otto Van Bismarck. It is often said about this chancellor that, "no man has had so great an effect on Germany and none a more profound effect on Europe". Bismarck did have his predilections and policies but none of which bound him. He became a fresh change from the repressive sovereigns in Europe at that time. As a practitioner of Realpolitik, he had a opportunistic and pragmatic approach to his policies. With the Unification of the German states, his