OPTION 2/ Literary Analysis of WWI

Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck was a German-Prussian statesman who was a strong believer in, and conductor of, the unity of Germany. In addition to this thought of peace, Bismarck was a dominant figure in world affairs at the time, serving as the imperial chancellor of Germany from 1862-1890. He came up with the Bismarckian Alliance System (a defensive system of alliances created by Otto von Bismarck to isolate France through a system of German alliances with both Russia and Austria-Hungary) to try to create peace (through making alliances) and unite Germany. While Otto von Bismarck was a supporter of peace, he made many witty remarks about the effects of war and politics on the world.
“The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood.” This quote suggests the idea that the conflicts going on cannot be resolved by politics, but rather by the human kind having to turn to war: the weapons and the bloody violence. In the antebellum period before WWI, there was much imperialism going on. When one country would take control of another, there would be a lot of fighting (in order to get the common people of the overtaken country to give up their culture and to agree with what was going on in their lost land). This could not be settled by the imperialistic new leaders making speeches to the fallen hearts of the natives. In many cases, this would make the natives become more resentful.
Bismarck also states, “When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.” This quote is quite a metaphor, and can be perceived in many directions. However; I believe that Bismarck meant to further inform the world of the crisis that he foresaw (war because of the violence going on). This situation was literally “unbelievable,” so that if you told the truth about the world at this time (politically and economically), it would sound as if you were tying to decieve everybody into a horrid trick.
Last but not least, Otto von Bismarck makes a point to say, “The main thing is to make history, not to write it." This, Otto himself did, in many ways. This quote lives through Otto von Bismarck’s very legacy! By supporting peace, Bismarck was never really trying to form and sculpt history into the way he wanted it to be. Instead, he added to the mix something beautiful (with alliances): his Bismarckian Alliance System. This goes for war, also. Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck believed that if we just try to add our own culture and ideas to the “mix of history,” that we will be better, and happier, off with more life to live and less to lose; with a dream of peace, HIS dream of peace.