How far do you think Bismarck's policies, internal and external, contributed to the debacle of 1914?

After the unification of Germany in 1870, the domestic and foreign policies of Germany were mainly in the hands of Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor. His principal object was to preserve a peaceful situation for the building up of the German Empire. His foreign policy was also adopted towards this direction. Yet his aim of internal stability and solidarity not only led to the growth of German Empire, but also an external policy that brought to a complicated diplomatic scene and finally the debacle of 1914.

Bismarck's internal policy was to wipe away any opposition and obstacles that would threaten his system of state. He manipulated the party system in the interest of the country. His anti-socialism and anti-Catholicism policies, though not completely successful, reached a certain degree of success. A certain extent of compromise in these measures succeeded in calming the opposition as well as preventing further resentment. For example, the State Socialism was introduced in Bismarck's anti-socialism policy. Besides, Bismarck also helped in Germany's economic development. Industry and commerce prospered after 1870. His adoption of protectionist policy aided the home industrialists and merchants a great deal. Thus, form Bismarck's main internal policies, it is seen that he had successfully put Germany into a position of solidarity and stability with the rapid growth of economy. Though this result did not directly contribute to the debacle of 1914, its consequence was an indirect contribution to it. Bismarck's internal achievements turned Germany into a great world power as well as an aggressive one. This internal success was the main driving force that led to a vigorous policy abroad, which had more direct contribution to the debacle of 1914.

Outwardly, it seems that Bismarck's external policy contributed more to the debacle of 1914. In fact, his external policy was related with his internal policy. His aim of isolation of France was for the internal stability of Germany, but this policy led to the formation of an enormous system of alliance which ultimately split the world into two armed camps. The rivalry between them in armaments and policies towards other states, like the Balkans, finally led to the outbreak of war in 1914.

Though the rise of Germany to the status of an aggressive power and the formation ...