Bismarck (Otto von Bismarck)

Otto von Bismarck was a 19th-century German statesman who unified various German-speaking regions into a single empire. Serving as Prime Minister of Prussia and later as Germany’s first Chancellor, he skillfully used diplomacy, alliances, and military power to isolate rivals and strengthen Germany's position. Bismarck's policies emphasized realpolitik—practical politics over ideology—and he established systems like social insurance to stabilize society. His leadership transformed Germany into a major European power and shaped modern nation-state diplomacy, maintaining stability in Europe for decades through strategic incremental diplomacy rather than confrontation.