How Did Bismarck Realpolitik

Otto von Bismarck’s government in Germany represented a new kind of conservatism in the nineteenth-century Europe that was willing to change traditional conservative beliefs to better lead modern society. Bismarck was a realpolitik, which means he chose political alliances that would boost Prussia and Germany significantly, rather than morally preferable ones. Bismarck was able to successfully unify and govern the German Empire because he believed in the application of modern-day tactics and the idea that in order to grow an empire, you must be willing to put its’ needs first.
In 1869, Bismarck showcased this belief when he issued a legislation that granted “all restrictions on citizenship of civil rights based on differences in religious confession
are abolished” (1). This promoted Bismarck’s new conservative government because it didn’t discriminate against particular minorities and instead, welcomed them, which was a symbol of moving forward and progressing with societies’ new beliefs. This legislation attracted minority groups to Bismarck’s government, which led to his increase in followers as he had initially planned and the expanse of his power. This act of gaining power can be paralleled to Nicholas II’s attempts at controlling Russia. In 1905, as revolts were increasing in Russia and threatening the Tsar’s power, he issued the October Manifesto which granted civil liberties to his people. In comparison to Bismarck’s legislation, they were both created to increase power and they gave the people modern rights. As Bismarck’s support was growing in some aspects as a result of the issued document, it was also weakening in others; “Our Social-Democratic Party (SPD) must not, under any circumstances, or in any field, engage in transactions with its opponents” (2). This speech was announced by Wilhelm Liebknecht, a German Socialist, in a political speech in 1869. Liebknecht warns the SPD not to get involved in the Reichstag because they will be suppressed by the government if they aren’t approved of and they won’t have any influence on the legislation. Liebknecht believed that “we can only transact business where there is a common basis,” and without it, we will just be compromising (2).
In addition to opposing parties, in 1879, a satirical German magazine released a political cartoon that portrayed Bismarck and his unstable Conservative party that was inevitably going to be overruled by the Liberals, much like the Enlightenment (4).
During the Enlightenment, similarly to the satirical German magazine prediction, people began questioning old traditions as new, modern ideas emerged. As a result, Liberalism expanded quickly throughout Europe. The German cartoon predicted that after Bismarck’s Conservatism fails, he will turn the wheel towards Liberalism to best fit the ideals society is moving towards because his realpolitik form of governing supports the interchanging of ideas to gain the most support and political strength (4). Though Bismarck’s tactics dismissed morals, they did allow him to imagine a wider expanse of possibilities when it came to attracting followers.
In 1881, Kaiser Wilhelm I announced that “curing social defects will be pursued not only through the repression of Social Democratic excesses but also through the promotion of workers’ welfare” (5). The Kaiser and Bismarck used this as a promotion of nationalism and unity in Germany. The Kaiser convinced the people in Germany to support those who have access to less in order to strengthen the “Fatherland” (5). He uses this bill to not only modernize and improve the country, but to also increase his own support as an individual
leader.
As the Kaiser did in 1881, Bismarck makes a speech supporting the new accident insurance bill in 1884. He states his belief that it is the responsibility of the state “to serve”, care for, and protect the people (6). Bismarck argues for the overall betterment in society but secretly, he’s promising these improvements so he can “prevent the workers’ complaints that can be exploited by the Social Democrats” (6). Bismarck is convinced that in order to not only modernize but also retain followers, he must make decisions based on the political gains and not the moral losses.
In 1890, Bismarck is dismissed from working for Kaiser Wilhelm II and many, including Eugen Richter, are ecstatic about the new change. Richter states in his newspaper article that “a continuation of the domestic policy pursued up to now would have actually have brought Germany to ruin” (7). Richter blames Bismarck for causing one-fifth of the people to vote for Social Democrats and he believes his realpolitik way of leading caused Germany to fall off its’ conservative path because of his socialist reforms. Bismarck was initially hopeful and the majority supported him, but after he unified Germany and modernized it, he wasn’t looked towards as often because he had led many to oppose Conservatism. Another leader who is very similar to Bismarck is Emperor Meiji from Japan. Emperor Meiji transformed Japan by modernizing it, abolishing its’ feudal system, and developing a constitution based on Bismarck’s system for Germany. He transformed Japan into a world power like how Bismarck transformed Prussia into the German Empire. Otto von Bismarck allowed his political desires to overshadow his moral obligations to Conservatism because of his preferred realpolitik leading. This tactic allowed him to unify an Empire and keep it strong for years. Unfortunately, he was opposed by many parties and people but he still attempted to unify them all under a new, modern Conservatism that accepted a greater variety of change.