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Otto von Bismarck

Definition

Otto von Bismarck was a Prussian statesman who masterminded the unification of Germany in 1871 and served as its first chancellor until 1890, implementing policies that made Germany a major world power.

Analogy

Think of Otto von Bismarck as the coach of a sports team. Just like how a coach brings together individual players to form a cohesive unit, Bismarck brought together various German states into one unified nation.

Related terms

Realpolitik: This is a system of politics based on practical rather than moral or ideological considerations. It's like playing chess where you make moves based on strategic advantage rather than personal feelings.

Prussian Militarism: This refers to the influence of military leaders on the policy-making process of the Prussian government. Imagine if your school's football team captain had significant say in deciding school policies - that's similar to Prussian militarism.

German Unification: The process by which various independent German-speaking states were unified into one country under the leadership of Prussia. It's akin to merging different clubs in school under one banner for greater impact and unity.