Bismarck by Richard Kisch

Bismarck

Wayland History Makers

by Richard Kisch

Wayland Publishers, 1976 [First Edition], ISBN 853403031, black and white photographic frontispiece, black and white photographs and illustration throughout, hardcover, dust-jacket

"In 1848 Germany had no capital city, no national identity and little influence on the outside world.  By the time Bismarck left office as Chancellor in 1890, the German Empire was perhaps the greatest power in Europe.  "The great questions of the day will not be decided by speeches ... but by iron and blood," announced Bismarck in 1863.  This attitude led to short and successful wars with Austria in 1866 and France in 1870.  But, as Richard Kisch explains, Bismarck wanted peace and security for Germany, rather than military glory.  To this end, he devised an ingenious system of foreign alliances, and introduced enlightened social reforms."