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Bismarck

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Edward Crankshaw shows in this magnificent biography the complicated twists and turns of Bismarck's virtuoso political genius that was brought to bear on the reconfiguration of Germany. After the Congress of Vienna in 1815 `unscrambled' Napoleonic Europe and the social revolutions of 1848 were countered by reaction, Bismarck emerged as a champion of reactionary Europe in Germany; or so it seemed. His perception of the course and shape Germany should take amounted to a revolution in itself, but from the top. In the wake of this `White Revolutionary,' this `agent of historical change' the way he sensed it, Crankshaw points to the hopes and aspirations of the liberal and culturally minded that were swept aside by the successive, euphoric military triumphs over Denmark in 1864, Hapsburg Austria in 1866 and France in 1870. Once the Prussian war machine achieved those objectives, it took all of Bismarck's prodigious energy to halt the momentum. Remarkably, as Bismarck intended and (with the exception of Alsace) in fierce resistance to those who wanted more, the boundaries of a lesser Germany (kleindeutsch) became the reality of a German nation. The outlying lands of a greater Germany (grossdeutsch) with their Catholic connotations, especially Austria, were excluded from Germany's new borders. Berlin would henceforth be the magnet of political power in central Europe, not Vienna. Such is the basic outline, but Crankshaw fills in the myriad contradictory tensions along the way with his customary verve, wit and ominous insight.

This is a critical biography that dissects Bismarck and finds him wanting.The author questions Bismarck's attempt at German unification and the way it was done.According to my read of the author,Bismarck's psyche was so intertwined with Prussia and the idea of German unity,that he saw any disagreement with his policies as prime minister of Prussia,as an attack on German unity.But how can anyone delve into another person's psyche,and be sure of their interpretation. Still it's an interesting theory.That's why this book is so good.Crankshaw points out that there were other statesmen and rivals who desired German unity and were capable of bringing it about without the violence of the Bismarck era.However I don't believe the author develops how these rival politicians would have brought this about.England,being an island nation had a natural boundary,however there were no such boundaries for the Germanic speaking peoples of Europe's mismash of ethnic groups with fragmented allegiances.Bismarck was the master of Machiavellian power politics,and anyone dealing with him also needed to be a devotee of the book,The Prince.Incidentally,when the bored Bismarck decided on a career in politics,the first thing he does is buy two newspaper companies,"All the news fit to slant".In short,Bismarck outmanuevered them and he was able to use both elements of the political right and left to develop his vision of a German nation.He also juggled the civilian and military interests and this aspect is a strong point in this book.The author often uses the term to describe Bismarck,"A civilian in a curaissiers uniform.There is a good chapter on the Franco-Prussian war(1870) which discloses some facts about the French government's desire for war that I hadn't previously heard of.Crankshaw doesn't show to even a miniscule portion that the politicians of these rival parties and nations,were any more moral or competent than Bismarck.So what does Machiavelli say to do in such circumstances?Idealism is so wonderful in theory.This book makes you think.Another intersting quotation of Bismarck that the author often uses is the anaolgy of the crippled soldier who looks up at a window and replies,"If only that old guy up there hadn't been in such a bad mood,today I'd be walking and providing for my family".Crankshaw would probably interpret this quote of Bismarck's as a purely Machiavellian ploy,to pretend to be just "common folk".Crankshaw dismisses Bismarck's deeply religious quotations and actions along the same lines,indeed hardly mentions them at all!Bismarck's penchant for public displays of emotion and tears are more the result of "crocodile tears",and mental imbalance than any real display of emotion.In regard to Bismarck's passing of Social legislation for workers, the author grudgingly gives some credit.This however he states was passed,"more out of a hatred and fear of creeping Socialism",than out of desire to help the German working classes.While not putting the blame for WW1 not directly on Bismarck,Crankshaw blames him indirectly.The author plainly believes that the German people just put too much stock in Bismarck and his shenanigans.

There simply is no better single volume about the most notable Prince Otto von Bismarck than that by Edward Crankshaw. I know that this may seem over simplified to some but the fact remains that here is the very best book on The Iron Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. After attempts to read accounts by other well known authors all of which turn out to be of considerable value concerning von Bismarck, they fall short when compared with the Crankshaw biography.

Edward Crankshaw's 'Bismark' is quite simply the finest one-volume edition available. Written with Crankshaw's customary elegance, wit and style, this is a perfect introduction to the student of Bismark and German unifiacation.

I wanted to read something about the politics of formation of the German Empire, and what better place than to start with Bismarck himself? I already have several references to the history of philosophy in this era and to the political history of the era immediately succeeding it (Wilhelm II, the Weimar era), so this is a missing portion of my quest.

I have to admit this volume left me flat. Sure, it covered the man and the era, but it left significant gaps. As another reviewer has noted, much is assumed of the reader's knowledge. Crankshaw repeatedly refers to significant events and episodes as "the famous such-and-such affair" without offering a description of it. While it may be famous (or infamous) to people who lived through it, or to students of the era who have access to other references, the general interest reader is left to figure it out on his own. This book would have been much worse without Wikipedia.

Another defect (I thought) was the lack of biographical information on other important historical figures. Robert Massie, for example, peppers his histories with mini biographies of significant persons as they are encountered in the narrative, giving the reader a more complete feel both for the clash of personality and the era in which they lived. Crankshaw's book would have been much better if, for example, we had biographical sketches of Bismark's compatriots and adversaries (LaSalle, Roon, Disraeli, Napoleon III) and some idea of the way he was perceived by the Austrians, French, and Germans outside the world of daily politics.

This last point is one which is never covered in this book. Prior to the creation of the Empire, there was no Germany, but only a collection of German-speaking states. While the other major European powers were enjoying The Enlightenment, Germany was going through an identity crisis. As a result, the liberalism enjoyed in other countries would come to Germany at the same time as Germans were anxious to be unified, by whatever means necessary. This meant that German liberalism would forever be tied to German nationalism and especially to the only German state perceived to be strong enough to pull it off: Prussia. Bismarck rode this wave to its logical conclusion, and that would be important to what followed.