Bismarck Dbq

As governments experienced many revolutions and uprisings in the name of nationalism, some countries’ respective leaders realized that their traditional conservatism would eventually destabilize their authoritative legitimacy. Thus, leaders such as Otto von Bismarck adopted a new kind of conservatism, mixing both liberal, semi-socialistic and conservative policies in order to keep a balance that would ensure some stability in his state. For Otto von Bismarck, his international policies were more conservative; he promoted nationalism, unification, and state sovereignty. His domestic policies, however, were more liberal; he allowed for progressive social reforms and implemented separation of church and state. When it came to a German identity,
He quickly learned how to play the uber Catholic, conservative, and liberal sides when needed, and he eventually learned how to balance his policies so that each side remained fairly contained (Doc 4). During the 1800s, talk of liberal reforms, socialism, and communism was rising. Many people in the German government realized this insurgent of new thoughts and encouraged Bismarck to modify his policies. Politicians such as Wagener in document three wrote to audiences in the Reichstag and even Bismarck himself because the politicians knew that they could not risk losing the worker’s votes to the Socialist Party who promised laborers their own rights and insurance (Doc 3). Bismarck realized his politicians spoke the truth. From Bismarck’s point of view, he knew that if he didn’t adapt at least some version of these rising demands, he would remain Chancellor for a very short time. Thus, when it came to social reforms, Bismarck adopted his own version of the socialist party’s platform. He stated he would compromise by taking on some socialistic reforms because those reforms were a way to help those who cannot help themselves (Doc 6). Even the Kaiser himself realized his government must make their own approach to social reform. Bismarck promoted accident coverage for laborers and welfare for people who do not have the ability to work-- all ideas sprung from moderate
This balancing act, however, angered true liberals because Bismarck had mixed their ideas with his conservatism, thus contaminated their previously apparent, separate ideologies. They also criticized his nationalism because his domestic policies would be problematic in the long run-- and these liberals would later be proven correct (Doc 7). Though Bismarck as a genius at balancing the forces against him, the balancing act could only last so long. Soon, Bismarck was fired and the old Kaiser died, leaving Kaiser Wilhelm II to disband most of Bismarck’s policies and inevitably cause World War One. During Bismarck’s time as Prime Minister, he had to balance his foreign affairs as well. In order to do that, he created an alliance system with the two powers surrounding him, Austria and Russia. However, after Bismarck was fired, Wilhelm II disbanded the alliance with Russia, and France quickly allied in Germany's place. After this shift in alliance, Serbian radicals decided to assassinate the Austrian heir. In a vengeful rage, Austria went after Serbia and was thus backed up by Germany. Serbia was backed up by Russia and was thus backed up by France. Then, England joined France’s side and World War One began because the men after Bismarck couldn’t handle what Bismarck had previously