Talking Strategy S6E9: The Iron Chancellor: Otto von Bismarck's Unification of Germany
Jan 13, 2026
Michael Epkenhans, a historian specializing in 19th-century German history and former Director of Research at the Bundeswehr's Military History Research Office, delves into Otto von Bismarck's masterful tactics in unifying Germany. He reveals how Bismarck used war and realpolitik to manipulate European powers, often pitting them against each other. Bismarck's focus on Prussia over broader nationalism and his pragmatic approach to diplomacy paved the way for a new German state, while his calculated risks sometimes ignited future conflicts.
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Prussia Forged Germany, Then Stopped
- Bismarck built the Second German Empire by combining war, realpolitik and state power rather than sheer nationalism.
- He then deliberately stopped expansion and avoided overseas empires to stabilise Germany's European role.
Junker Roots Shaped His Conservatism
- Bismarck came from the Junker landed nobility and lived the traditional Junker lifestyle of hunting and estate life.
- He defended monarchy in 1848 and prepared to arm tenants to fight revolutionaries to preserve order.
Controlled Modernisation Strategy
- Bismarck accepted constitutional and parliamentary changes as a 'revolution from above' to prevent radical revolution from below.
- He sought national institutions while preserving royal authority and traditional elites.