What was the deal with Otto Von Bismarck? I aways heard that he was responsible both directly and indirectly for the political problems on Europe that lead to WW1 and consequently WW2. How true is that?
What was the deal with Otto Von Bismarck? I aways heard that he was responsible both directly and indirectly for the political problems on Europe that lead to WW1 and consequently WW2. How true is that?
He basically saw that something like WW1 wouild happen eventually, so he tried to prevent it by isolating revanchist france, establishing close ties to Russia and making it clear to the anglos that Germany would be no threat to them (by signing a fleet treaty that allowed ther german fleet only to have a fraction of the tonnage of the anglo one). As long as Otto was in charge, this worked. Also because the first Emperor, Wilhelm I. worked closely with Bismarck.
Eventually Otto wasn’t in charge anymore. The Second Emperor, Wilhelm II. then fucked up where he could. Which lead to WW1 and Willy no longer being Emperor.