Excerpt of Otto von Bismarck’s “Blood and Iron" speech

Excerpt of Otto von Bismarck’s “Blood and Iron" speech

Prussia and The Prussians

The excerpt of Bismarck’s “Blood and Iron” speech was translated from German “Blut und Eisen” to English and was delivered by Bismarck at Landtag in 1862. He expressed his frustrations about what he felt were unfavorable borders granted to the Prussian Empire by the Vienna Treaties passed in 1814 ad the end of the Napoleonic Wars. He also denounced liberalism in his speech and called for a direct emphasis on expanding Prussia’s military prowess. Bismarck’s speech defined much of his political career as he was able to effectively unify the German states into a powerful German Empire under Prussian leadership.

Otto von Bismarck

German History Documents and Images

1862

Jessica Liang

“There are members of the National Association [Nationalverein] – of this association that has achieved a reputation owing to the justness of its demands – highly esteemed members who have stated that all standing armies are superfluous. Yes, if only a public assembly had this view! Would not a government have to reject this?! – There was talk about the “sobriety” of the Prussian people. Yes, the great independence of the individual makes it difficult in Prussia to govern with the constitution (or to consolidate the constitution?); in France things are different, there this individual independence is lacking. A constitutional crisis would not be disgraceful, but honorable instead. – Furthermore, we are perhaps too “well-educated” to support a constitution; we are too critical; the ability to assess government measures and records of the public assembly is too common; in the country there are a lot of catiline [conspiratorial] characters who have a great interest in upheavals. This may sound paradoxical, but everything proves how hard constitutional life is in Prussia. – Furthermore, one is too sensitive about the government’s mistakes; as if it were enough to say “this and that [cabinet] minister made mistakes, as if one wasn’t adversely affected oneself. Public opinion changes, the press is not [the same as] public opinion; one knows how the press is written; members of parliament have a higher duty, to lead opinion, to stand above it. We are too hot-blooded, we have a preference for putting on armor that is too big for our small body; and now we’re actually supposed to utilize it. Germany is not looking to Prussia’s liberalism, but to its power; Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden may indulge liberalism, and for that reason no one will assign them Prussia’s role; Prussia has to coalesce and concentrate its power for the opportune moment, which has already been missed several times; Prussia’s borders according to the Vienna Treaties [of 1814-15] are not favorable for a healthy, vital state; it is not by speeches and majority resolutions that the great questions of the time are decided – that was the big mistake of 1848 and 1849 – but by iron and blood.” Prince Otto von Bismarck, 30 September 1862