Otto von Bismarck Trivia Quiz

Answer: Iron Chancellor

Bismarck played a large role in unifying Germany and was Chancellor of Germany from 1871-1890 (and Minister-President of Prussia from 1862-1890). He was known as the Iron Chancellor for his strong-arm tactics and use of Realpolitik.

Answer: False

Bismarck was born in Schönhausen in the German Kingdom of Prussia, and served as both Chancellor of Germany and Minister-President of Prussia.

Answer: Ems Telegram

After the the Hohenzollern Candidature for the Spanish throne had been withdrawn, France sent a harsh telegram to the King of Prussia, Wilhelm I, who was at Ems Spa. The latter sent a reply by telegram which was edited by Bismarck to appear aggressive and insulting. This telegram came to be known as the Ems Telegram (In German: "Die Emser Depesche").

Answer: Austro-Prussian War

Bismarck played a large role in planning the Austro-Prussian War by stirring up trouble over the territories of Schleswig and Holstein then accusing Austria of using hostile tactics. He then moved troops into Holstein, thus starting the Austro-Prussian War. The war resulted in a spectacular victory for Prussia which annexed several of the minor German states that had sided with Austria.

Answer: Kaiser Wilhelm I

Bismarck was Chancellor under three generations of monarchs. He was Chancellor under Kaiser Wilhelm I from 1871 until the King's death in March 1888; he was Chancellor under the Kaiser's son, Fredrich III until the latter died in June 1888; and under King Fredrich's son, Kaiser Wilhelm II until 1890.

Answer: False

As Chancellor, Bismarck had to consult with and had influence over the Reichstag, also known as the lower house, but was not a member of it.

In Imperial Germany ministers were in a very real sense responsible to the Kaiser, not to the Reichstag.

Answer: Kulturkampf

The "kulturkampf" (which translates literally as "culture sruggle") was an attempt to curtail Catholic activity and influence. It is generally agreed that it was in part a response to the policies of Pope Pius IX, especially the adoption of the doctrine of papal infallibilty which was widely seen as a political move by the Pope.

The conflict was largely resolved when Bismarck made peace with the new pope, Pope Leo XIII.

Answer: True

While universal suffrage was created under Bismarck he was highly elitist and believed that the ordinary citizens should not run the country. This played a large role in his choice of allies as he looked down on the French Republic and Britain for allowing the populace to run the government. He referred to France and Britain as the "followers of the Red Flag".

Answer: Kaiser Wilhelm II

Bismarck reached his peak of power under Kaiser Wilhelm I. While King Fredrich III's reign was too short to have a large impact on Bismarck, the King's son Kaiser Wilhelm II grew tired of Bismarck quickly and forced him to retire.

Answer: Treaty of Versailles

Bismarck backed three Berlin treaties in 1878, 1885, and 1889. The Triple Alliance was a defense agreement between Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy. The Reinsurance Treaty was a secret treaty between Germany and Russia in which Germany agreed to support Russia in the Balkans and the two countries agreed to not interfere in the other's spheres of influence.

However, the treaty with Russia was incompatible with Germany's treaty with Austria-Hungary. The Russians soon discovered this and looked for an ally elsewhere.

In 1892 the Franco-Russian 'Dual' alliance was formed. The essential framework of the World War I alliances was in place.