"It is hard to be an Emperor under such a Chancellor." lamented Wilhelm I, the first emperor of the German Empire. Otto von Bismarck is probably the most fascinating or the most boring statesman throughout German history depending on one's perspective. He led 3 victorious wars (against Denmark, Austria and France) and achieved unification of Germany. However, he tried very hard to avoid unnecessary wars. His vision of European political system led to more than 40 years' peace and prosperity of Europe or to World War I, also depending on one's perspective. - Summary by SS Kim
Chapters
1 Chapter 1. Birth and Parentage 25 min 2 Chapter 2. Early Life, 1821-1847 37 min 3 Chapter 3. The Revolution, 1847-1852, Part 1 35 min 4 Chapter 3. The Revolution, 1847-1852, Part 2 34 min 5 Chapter 4. The German Problem, 1849-1852 30 min 6 Chapter 5. Frankfort, 1851-1857, Part 1 30 min 7 Chapter 5. Frankfort, 1851-1857, Part 2 26 min 8 Chapter 5. Frankfort, 1851-1857, Part 3 24 min 9 Chapter 6. St. Petersburg and Paris, 1858-1862, Part 1 34 min 10 Chapter 6. St. Petersburg and Paris, 1858-1862, Part 2 31 min 11 Chapter 7. The Conflict, 1862-1863, Part 1 27 min 12 Chapter 7. The Conflict, 1862-1863, Part 2 29 min 13 Chapter 8. Schleswig-Holstein, 1863-1864, Part 1 34 min 14 Chapter 8. Schleswig-Holstein, 1863-1864, Part 2 31 min 15 Chapter 9. The Treaty of Gastein, 1864-1865 27 min 16 Chapter 10. Outbreak of War with Austria, 1865-1866 38 min 17 Chapter 11. The Conquest of Germany, 1866, Part 1 31 min 18 Chapter 11. The Conquest of Germany, 1866, Part 2 33 min 19 Chapter 12. The Formation of the Northern German Confederation, 1866-1867, Part 1 26 min 20 Chapter 12. The Formation of the Northern German Confederation, 1866-1867, Part 2 22 min 21 Chapter 13. The Outbreak of War with France, 1867-1870, Part 1 31 min 22 Chapter 13. The Outbreak of War with France, 1867-1870, Part 2 32 min 23 Chapter 14. The War with France and Foundation of the Empire, 1870-1871, Part 1 32 min 24 Chapter 14. The War with France and Foundation of the Empire, 1870-1871, Part 2 32 min 25 Chapter 15. The New Empire, 1871-1878, Part 1 27 min 26 Chapter 15. The New Empire, 1871-1878, Part 2 30 min 27 Chapter 16. The Triple Alliance and Economic Reform, 1878-1887, Part 1 36 min 28 Chapter 16. The Triple Alliance and Economic Reform, 1878-1887, Part 2 34 min 29 Chapter 17. Retirement and Death, 1887-1898, Part 1 22 min 30 Chapter 17. Retirement and Death, 1887-1898, Part 2 25 min
