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Towards the last quarter of the 19th century Europe had found itself embroiled in series of alliances creating a favourable background for the World wars which later emerged. In the annals of history, few figures have left a more profound impact on the world stage than Otto Von Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor. Often credited as the mastermind behind the unification of Germany, his astute diplomatic maneuvers extended far beyond the borders of his homeland. As the Chancellor of the German Empire from 1871 to 1890, Bismarck skillfully constructed a web of alliances, forever altering the geopolitical landscape of Europe. Enough could not be said to account for the life and legacy of this enigmatic statesman, especially his role as the architect of the alliance system and the partitioning of Africa in the famous Berlin Conference of 1884/1885.

Otto Von Bismarck’s early political career was marked by his unwavering vision to unify the numerous German states into one powerful nation. After his appointed as the Prime Minister of Prussia in 1862, he embarked on a bold and calculated course to achieve this objective. Utilizing what he called “Realpolitik,” a pragmatic approach to diplomacy, Bismarck skillfully manipulated events to eliminate potential obstacles to German unification. One of his famous speeches stands out as an explanation to this concept. At the Prussian Diet on 30th September 1862, Bismarck amongst other things said ‘Not by parliamentary speeches and majority votes are the great questions of  the day determined – that was the mistake of 1848 and 1849 – but by iron and blood.’ He was alluding to the necessary requirement to achieve the unification of Germany, at the time a collection of small states governed by small-minded Kings and princes.

The first major step in Bismarck’s grand plan was the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. In a carefully orchestrated conflict, he smartly maneuvered Austria, the dominant German state, into a war, ensuring the support of key German states in the process. Prussia’s victory over Austria led to the dissolution of the German Confederation and the formation of the North German Confederation, a critical milestone on the path to German unification. This left him with one powerful enemy – France.

Bismarck’s most audacious move came with the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. Through a series of skillful diplomatic maneuvers, he provoked France into declaring war on Prussia. This carefully calculated move helped to rally the southern German states around Prussia and paved the way for the final unification of Germany under the leadership of King Wilhelm I of Prussia, who was crowned Emperor of Germany on January 18, 1871, at the Palace of Versailles. Having achieved the unification of Germany, Bismarck was well aware that maintaining its new-found status as a major European power required adept diplomacy. To prevent potential encirclement by hostile neighbors and safeguard Germany’s territorial gains, Bismarck set about crafting a complex web of alliances with Germany’s national interest as the critical motivation.

The first of these alliances was the Three Emperors’ League, formed in 1873. It united Germany, Austria-Hungary (they were not separate countries then), and Russia in a mutual defense pact, aiming to prevent conflict in Eastern Europe. Though short-lived, this alliance marked Bismarck’s initial steps in maintaining a delicate balance of power. In fact it would be impossible to explain the theory of balance of power without making reference to this instance. Recognizing the threat posed by a Franco-Russian alliance, Bismarck negotiated the Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary in 1879. This pact assured mutual assistance in the event of an attack by Russia or any aggression by a third party supporting Russia. In 1882, the Dual Alliance expanded to include Italy, becoming the Triple Alliance. This alliance aimed to isolate France and keep potential rivals at bay. The Triple Alliance played a crucial role in maintaining peace in Europe for nearly three decades.

To counterbalance the Triple Alliance and ensure friendly relations with Russia, Bismarck negotiated the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia in 1887. This secret agreement promised neutrality in case of war between Germany and Russia’s respective allies.

From November 15 1884 to February 26 European Nations gather at Berlin to share African territories among themselves. Bismarck played a significant role in this pivotal event that reshaped the map of Africa and had far-reaching consequences for the continent’s future. By the late 19th century, European powers were increasingly interested in Africa’s vast resources and potential for economic exploitation. In the scramble for African territories, various European nations had begun to establish colonies, often leading to tensions and conflicts over territorial claims. To address these issues and avoid potential conflicts among European powers, Bismarck called for an international conference to discuss and regulate the colonization of Africa.

Bismarck maintained a neutral stance during the conference, portraying Germany as an impartial mediator rather than a colonizer. This allowed him to project a favorable image of Germany and establish diplomatic goodwill with other European powers. Through the conference, Bismarck sought international recognition for Germany’s status as a unified nation and a major player in European politics. The conference offered an opportunity for Germany to assert itself on the world stage, even in regions where it did not have any significant colonial presence.

Otto Von Bismarck’s astute statesmanship and diplomatic prowess forever changed the course of European history. As the architect of the alliance system, he skillfully navigated the complexities of international relations, ensuring Germany’s position as a major power and keeping the peace on the continent for a significant period. Though his alliances proved fragile in the hands of his successors, Bismarck’s legacy endures, illustrating the enduring influence of a true master of statecraft.

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