Otto von Bismarck and Benso de Cavour are two prominent political figures who have successfully pursued a policy of uniting their countries (Germany and Italy). Although politicians followed similar goals, their methods differed, the common goal was to conquer neighboring states: the territory could be beaten or acquired voluntarily. While Cavour was committed to compromise and moderation, Bismarck was ready to use “iron and blood.”
Bismarck consistently and successfully pursued a policy of uniting Germany. The expression “iron and blood” was proclaimed by Bismarck in one of the speeches to the parliamentary committee on budget issues. His main task was to bridge the controversies and divisions between parliament and government. The liberal part of parliament considered Bismarck’s policy a foreign scam, although they agreed that the German question could not be resolved without violence.
Bismarck’s resolve was supported by many members of the governing elite and a large part of the people against the backdrop of a patriotic upsurge. In 1664, Prussia annexed the territories in the north of the country after the defeat of Denmark, and in 1866 the southwestern lands after the victory over the Austrian army. In 1870, the Franco-Prussian War began, before which Bismarck secured the neutrality of England and Russia, the two strongest European powers.
The consequences were the Franco-Prussian War, which ended in defeat for the French. As a result, in 1871 Bismarck proclaimed the creation of the Second Reich, where Wilhelm I took the title of emperor. After that, many communities at war with each other turned out to be isolated, and the struggle for the cultural unification of the country began. Thus, the reasons for success were effective military policy and strategic actions of Bismarck, which allowed him to unite peoples and the government under the common idea.