what was otto von bismark's policy to unite all of the german lands
Otto von Bismarck, the statesman and chancellor of the German Empire, employed a policy known as "Realpolitik" to unite all of the German lands. This policy emphasized the use of practical and pragmatic strategies to achieve political objectives rather than relying on ideological beliefs.
Bismarck aimed to unify Germany under the leadership of Prussia, the most powerful German state, and to exclude Austria from the unification process. He believed that German unification could only be accomplished through a series of wars and diplomatic maneuvers rather than through peaceful negotiations.
Bismarck first orchestrated three wars that helped Prussia achieve dominance in Central Europe. The first war was against Denmark in 1864, followed by the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, which resulted in the exclusion of Austria from German affairs and the establishment of the North German Confederation under Prussian leadership. Lastly, Bismarck provoked the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, which led to the defeat of France and the final unification of Germany.
In addition to military actions, Bismarck also implemented domestic policies that aimed to consolidate Prussian power and garner support for German unification. These policies include the expansion of the Prussian army, the establishment of social-welfare programs to gain support from the working class, and the implementation of diplomatic alliances to isolate potential adversaries.
Overall, Bismarck's policy of Realpolitik, coupled with his diplomatic cunning and military victories, succeeded in uniting the German lands under Prussia and establishing the German Empire in 1871.