Dreadnought: Iron and Blood

Hey there! Peter here! So far, I personally thought that this part of the book is very interesting.
 The unification of Germany became successful because of the growth of industry and railways. Germany started taking part in the European politics more and more. Most of the German success were achieved by a very famous German political figure: Otto Von Bismarck

Otto Von Bismarck

For 28 years (1862-1890), the greatest German tactician and politician since the Middle Ages dominated European politics through force and diplomacy. He was the key man to revolutionised Germany one of the greatest powers in the world. Bismarck's greatest gift was intelligence. He was the most skilful politician of his time. His perseverance ushered Germany into a new age, the 'Age of Bismarck'.

Bismarck was made Chancellor of Germany by William in 1862. At that time in Berlin, there was a quarrel between the King and the parliament about military policies. Bismarck came and solved out the problem and united the German politicians. On September 22, the climatic meeting between Bismarck and Kaiser William I took place at the summer palace of Babelsberg. The king told Bismarck that he had trouble dealing with Military policies. Bismarck replied that he will help out by being in charge of domestic and foreign affairs. He explained the the Budget Committee why the king must be allowed to make decisions about the army by giving a famous speech: "'Germany does not look to Prussia's liberalism but her strength... The great question of the day will not decided by speech and resolutions of the majority - that was the great mistake of 1848 - but by iron and blood.'"

Bismarck gained his fame when he provoked the Austrian government in 1866 by saying that he will create a new German constitution from which Austria will be excluded. Austria knew that war is imminent. On June 15, Prussian troops marched through city-states saying that Prussia will declare war on them as well if they resist.
When war broke out, Europe predicted the defeat of the Prussians and a victory to the Austrians. Prussia attacked Austria (population: 35 million) with 300,000 soldiers. The Austrians were waiting with 500,000 and 1,500 artilleries. Both sides collided in a bloodbath but suffered heavy casualties. However, the tides of war turned when the Austrian army started to retreat in the afternoon. The following days later, the Austrian Empire surrendered and the Prussian troops marched through Vienna. Austria was forced to give up land to Prussia.

The Austro-Prussian war

Bismarck became even more famous when he defeated the French in 1870. France feared the Germany will become too powerful so they declared war on Prussia. The French soldiers yelled 'à Berlin!'. Like the French stereotype, they surrendered after a month after a humiliating defeat at Sedan on September 1. The German surrounded Paris with rings of artillery. Bismarck was lenient on France and let her go. His objective was political not military. The French were ordered to give provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to Prussia. The Europeans thought of Germany as a 'nation of conquerers and destroyers'.

The Franco-Prussian war