Otto Von Bismarck was born on April 1, 1815. He was born at Schonhausenin
in the Old Mark of Bradenburg. There were three in his family, no mention of brothers or sisters.
Otto's father was a Junker and his mother was the daughter of an influential civil servant. He
studied law at Gottingen University at Hanover. Otto had only few tragedies in life. The most
significant was that his mother, Wilhelmine, would give encouragement but showed no outward
signs of love. He was married and had two sons and a daughter.
After studying law, he spent a brief time in the civil service. Otto returned to the
family estate for eight years where he gained a reputation as a hard-drinking womanizer. But he
also was an eloquent speaker. Prince William, the king of Prussia, appointed Bismarck the
ambassador to Russia where he felt Otto would do no harm. Bismarck believed he was realistic but
others felt he was dangerous. Some accused him of being a "Red Reactionary." Even though
William and his wife, Queen Augusta, both despised Bismarck. Bismarck talked William into
naming him Prime Minister of Prussia.
Bismarck went to the Prussian Parliament for military funds to achieve supreme
power. When the liberals refused, he took the money without their authorization. The politicians
were upset by his aggressiveness but secretly admired Bismarck for his ability to take control.
Bismarck wanted Prussian domination of Germany.
After the war against Austria when Prussia prevailed, the Prussian people rallied behind
him. The liberals and the conservatives both praised his efforts and gave him a large monetary
Before the French/ Prussian War, Bismarck used his deceptiveness to reword a telegram
from King William which helped incite the Prussians. The Prussians won the war. Bismarck
forced a harsh peace on the French. Money was demanded as retribut
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