History of Europe

What was otto von Bismarck responsible for?

Otto von Bismarck was responsible for creating the German Empire in 1871:

He served as its chancellor until 1890 under Kaiser Wilhelm I and Kaiser Friedrich III. Bismarck's achievements also include unifying Germany through a policy of "blood and iron", which involved three successful wars against Denmark, Austria, and France. Additionally, he introduced social welfare reforms, forged alliances with Austria-Hungary and Russia, and successfully isolated France following the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War. Bismarck left German politics during an intense conflict with Kaiser Wilhelm II; nevertheless, his legacies in terms of diplomacy, foreign policy, state administration, and social policies endured well after his fall from power and influenced European affairs far into the twentieth century.