How Did Bismarck Realpolitik

Otto von Bismarck’s government in Germany represented a new kind of conservatism in the nineteenth-century Europe that was willing to change traditional conservative beliefs to better lead modern society. Bismarck was a realpolitik, which means he chose political alliances that would boost Prussia and Germany significantly, rather than morally preferable ones. Bismarck was able to successfully unify and govern the German Empire because he believed in the application of modern-day tactics and the idea that in order to grow an empire, you must be willing to put its’ needs first.
In 1869, Bismarck showcased this belief when he issued a legislation that granted “all restrictions on citizenship of civil rights based on differences in religious confession
During the Enlightenment, similarly to the satirical German magazine prediction, people began questioning old traditions as new, modern ideas emerged. As a result, Liberalism expanded quickly throughout Europe. The German cartoon predicted that after Bismarck’s Conservatism fails, he will turn the wheel towards Liberalism to best fit the ideals society is moving towards because his realpolitik form of governing supports the interchanging of ideas to gain the most support and political strength (4). Though Bismarck’s tactics dismissed morals, they did allow him to imagine a wider expanse of possibilities when it came to attracting followers.
In 1881, Kaiser Wilhelm I announced that “curing social defects will be pursued not only through the repression of Social Democratic excesses but also through the promotion of workers’ welfare” (5). The Kaiser and Bismarck used this as a promotion of nationalism and unity in Germany. The Kaiser convinced the people in Germany to support those who have access to less in order to strengthen the “Fatherland” (5). He uses this bill to not only modernize and improve the country, but to also increase his own support as an individual