Bismarck's Ruling Practices

Essay # 5983

History > European
History > Leaders
Political Science > Machiavelli, Niccolo

This paper looks into the ruling practices of Bismarck through the lens of his treaties, personal life and foreign policy decisions.

1,900 words () | 6 sources | MLA | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the way in which Bismarck conducted himself as a statesmen and how he managed to rule a very volatile area in the late 1800's. The writer examines his personal life and then moves on to how his foreign policies affected his power - with regard to wars, treaties and internal domestic stability.

From the Paper:

"Machiavelli was a man who was solely interested in how to be an effective ruler who has solid grasp over his subjects. Machiavelli knew that being moral and consistent was not the way to do this, and thus those things do not factor into his idea of how to rule effectively and it is also why, rightfully so, the name Machiavelli has become synonymous with crafty, shady, and power-hungry. Bismarck's ruling style was a great example of Machiavelli's theories being put into real life use and succeeding. He started a war with France just to increase his power; he would "seem" merciful in treaties and make his country "seem" powerful. He allied with Austria, only to crush them in a 7-week war, and he would stir up nationalistic feelings in his opponents' conquered territories simply to give him better position for attack. Bismarck was a man who thought of humans as tools and objects for his purposes."