The Realpolitik Foreign Policy Of Otto Von Bismarck

The realpolitik foreign policy of Otto Von Bismarck contained many similarities as well as differences when compared and contrasted to the weltpolitik foreign policy of his successor Kaiser Wilhelm II. In 1890, Wilhelm II forced Bismarck’s resignation and ascended the German throne, leading Germany into a militaristic path, failing to maintain Germany’s allies, and plunging it into one of the most famous wars of history, World War I. Bismarck was originally an expansionist who aimed to make Prussia a powerful part of Germany, however, by 1870, he gave up his expansionist ideas and became content with the land that Germany already had power over. Bismarck’s cautious foreign policy favored peace over war, creating treaties and maintaining Germany’s land rather than expanding Germany by embarking in war. He sought to maintain good relations with France and Russia and kept France isolated. Furthermore, his policy secured peace within the five major powers of Europe by creating alliances. The Bismarckian system created allies between the other powers of Europe, secured Germany’s land, and avoided conflicts with France and Russia. Although a few similarities can be found between Wilhelm and Bismarck’s foreign policies, the policies had major differences in their approaches and styles of execution. Wilhelm’s policy posed more of an aggressive approach and made Germany a threat to other countries as well as involved it into conflicts. He wanted to increase Germany’s prestige as aShow MoreRelatedOtto von Bismarcks Influence on the Unification of Germany Essay examples1502 Words   |  7 Pages The Unification of Germany in 1871 into a politically and an administratively integrated nation state, is highly regarded as a direct result from a Prussian statesman named Otto von Bismarck and his political strategies. 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