bismark threatens to leap to his death

King Wilhelm Frederick and staff debate the merits of invading Hapsburg territory in 1866. Bismark throws a tantrum when it seems he wont get his way. Helmuth von Moltke is 'disgusted' by Bismark's theatrics and comments wryly that his tears are 'political'.

[@PaulRietvoorn]

"Hungary is full of Catholic Magyars, let them keep it!" lol >< Bismarck knew when to stop expanding his country, unlike many other rulers in history who conquered as much as they could... until they fell, which Bismarck never did. That makes a real great leader: the results.

[@dkupke]

Interesting story about Alexander of Macedon: when his troops revolted during his attempt to conquer India, he delivered an impassioned speech trying to spur them to continue marching. They refused, and one veteran openly shouted "Sire, if there is one thing a successful man should know above all else-IT'S WHEN TO STOP!!!"

[@nickkk420]

His failing was that he never planned for a Germany that existed without him.

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

@@nickkk420 yeah after his death no one bold enough to uphold his policy anymore. And Wilhelm II just keep expanding more and of it power. Especially about a great navy fleet worry enough for Britain to ally with France

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

@@thanhhoangnguyen4754 Wilhelm II was not a warmonger, the reason Germany was brought into WW 1 was that he lost control of the generals, Tirpitz & Moltke the younger tied his hands then betrayed him, the Kaiser never had reason to go to war, he only dismissed Bismarck on the counts of him being senile and to gon ho about solving internal matters like protests,

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

@@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723Yes i agreed with you on that. The only thing that i disagree with Wilhelm II is the naval build up of the Empire. I know it is necessary but Naval is not German strength and it upset Britain. So i prefer him to focus on his army. Also yeah damm you Moltke and Tirpizt. Moltke for dragging the conflict to Britain into the war and Tirpizt for un restrict warfare submarine. But i blame Moltke more greatly in any case this could be regional war in the Balkan between Russia and Germany. But he got France and Britain into it. France it ok the German can easily hold them on the Western front and the German Naval can obliterate all of French navy. While focusing on Russia who is on verge of Revolution more. Damm him for bringing Britain into the war. He defying Kaiser order to withdraw troop from Luxembourg for Britain neutral was the downfall of him.

[@LoganSewell83]

...And Bismarck had a plan. Bismarck always had a plan.

[@TheLoyalOfficer]

You all should know that, as far as I have found out, this scene is VERBATIM from the transcripts of an actual meeting! Yes, Bismarck cried, climbed into the window and threw a lamp! THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

[@EzekielDeLaCroix]

I would like to have the source if possible.

[@sadsackkvisling9694]

Feelz

[@konrad9066]

It never happened you stupid Yankee

[@mreliasss]

@@konrad9066 yes it did Bismarck threatened to jump out

[@justinv9413]

I doubt it. Men weren't supposed to cry and have emotional outbursts like that during those times.

[@westlock]

Bismarck's point implied point here was that Austria's Balkan entanglements were a burden and source of weakness. If Germany had conquered Austria then, it would have inherited those entanglements. His policy was carefully limited to ending Austrian influence in Germany, restoring friendly relations ASAP so that she would be neutral in the looming war with Napoleon III, and leaving to her the Balkan mess. Bismarck may have been devious, but he saw further than other statesmen.

[@longiusaescius2537]

@westlock devious?

[@ardens5586]

His tears are political - Moltke

[@sauceyeti4381]

This is disgusting. - Moltke

[@edanridge3023]

@@sauceyeti4381 lol I’ve actually met High ranking military commanders (my Uncle is a lifer in the marines and he knows a few) and they all talk like this about politicians with just utter contempt 😂

[@sauceyeti4381]

@@edanridge3023 Very cool

[@derrickstorm6976]

​@@edanridge3023 sure you have lol

[@fntime]

Fall of Eagles a BBC mini-series from the 70's. It is about the Kings of Germany, Austria Hungary and Russia. If you are a fan of history, this series brings history to life.

[@Ahornblatt2000]

After Bismarck came one catastrophe after another!He left behind the most powerfull state in Europe with all possibilities open for the future and his successors spoiled it all! Otto come back you're needed here in Europe nowadays more than ever

[@apilgurung5005]

"THIS IS DISGUSTING!", straight to his king's face. 😂 God I love von Moltke! 😂

[@Dibari89]

but why

[@apilgurung5005]

@@Dibari89 Because he's savage? (Atleast in the series)

[@DanganYankee]

@@Dibari89 lol Moltke wasn’t having Bismarck’s theaterics, he just want to have his war

[@gino456123789]

Bismarck knew the dangers of rapid expansion

[@mongooseman3744]

Is that an EVA reference?

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

especially the Balkan. The Balkan is no body business but the Turk.

[@arifahmedkhan9999]

No, he knew alienating any large power (like Austria) of Europe will get them to unite against them. And the Franco-prussian war would have become the first world war where Germany(here prussia) would face what humiliation Germany faced, I despise Bismark as a man who thinks without honor and respect to the lives of his soilders and thinks lightly of war, but he was brilliant politician.

[@republicempire446]

That’s is why total victory can be counterproductive as he knew Napoleon I’s victories was ill-advised and dangerous in the long run. That’s why he was pragmatic while trusting his military leaders to achieve victory only to secure a way in the peace talks.

[@cailleanmc]

Bismark did in fact throw a tantrum over the prospect of occupying Vienna

[@sadsackkvisling9694]

Who WOULD want to occupy Vienna?

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

@@sadsackkvisling9694 and then the Balkan.

[@blitzcrieg101]

The threat to jump off a four story window...yeah. That actually happened!

[@Bfdidc]

Theatrics or not, Bismarck was dead right in this scene. He was following the Clausewitzian dictum that war is the continuation of policy by other means. At this point Prussia had accomplished its policy objectives and a war of conquest would have possibly undone them (among other things, it's likely France would have intervened).

[@ajmofficial3657]

he lived 8 more years

[@Pioneer_DE]

@@ajmofficial3657 huh, who? Bismarck lived for more then 30 years after this scene takes place.

[@republicempire446]

Exactly, the geopolitical situation has changed since Napoleonic wars. The Cold War of 1945-1989 was the return of limited wars due to dangers of MAD doctrine.

[@NerdExtrodinare]

Now that is a Prussian officer! Make a scene, throw a lamp, then straighten your uniform and just stare down your opponent (in this case your king.)

[@dkupke]

The world needs a man like Bismack in the Middle East today.

[@dkupke]

+Powerdriller Power Putin is no Bismarck. He does not have Bismack's talent for diplomacy or his long term vision

[@timcallahan6368]

+Powerdriller Power And the world needs less purveyors of ignorance and hatred like you, bigoted punk.

[@LoganSewell83]

George Bush and Obama would have perpetually occupied Vienna had they been Prussian ministers.

[@LoganSewell83]

Powerdriller Power Bismarck was a political fighter, not an occupier. I like Putin, but I see him going the American route and occupying the Middle East like a Risk board.

[@dkupke]

My point exactly. Not marching all the way to Vienna was a brilliant decision and it paid off handsomely. As for Putin, I think he is pulling a Bush/Obama by getting himself tangled up in conflicts where there is no real victory to be had.

[@themysteriouscrumpet]

If Germany had started seizing all that ripe territory at that point, we'd all be screwed

[@jacktheripoff1888]

It was Wilhelm II that ruined everything.

[@jacintovski]

@Clinton Pendleton the Germans broke Belgian neutrality, what are you talking about?

[@jacintovski]

@Clinton Pendleton and the Germans gave them one. British involvement was Germany's fault. There's no going around that. Maybe the British would intervene at some point later on in the war. I don't know that. Neither do you. We can only speculate. The truth is that they did once the Germans invaded France through Belgium, who had clearly said they wanted to be neutral and were guaranteed by the British. If the German goal was to avoid British involvement, then that decision was the stupidest thing they could have ever done. What I'm thinking is that the Germans thought the Schlieffen plan was so flawless that they could beat up France so quickly that the British would try to sue for peace or not get involved in the war at all. It was a gamble. The Germans knew what they were doing.

[@davicus100]

Bismark was so brilliant, he wanted to unite a common speaking people with alot of the same customs which made them super strong. He had no need for foreigners causing trouble or long off colonies sapping the empires strength and getting them involved in never ending wars. To bad wilhelm fredrick son died and the empire went to his aloof grandson

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

Friedrich III is against Bismarck on EVERYTHING due to the fact the former is a Liberal to the latter being a staunch Conservative...

[@killermarfidyoh138]

Time and time again history has proven to empires that diversity is the death of it... And yet the Americans are now doing the same thing and we are all witnessing the beginning of the end for the Americans... All thanks to the w0ke liberal socialist democrats who want to harm children.

[@guharup]

Moltke was a genius and so was Bismarck. But Moltke's position has been inflated a bit here. He reported to von Roon and von Roon to Bismarck. He would hardly make such a comment as political tears out loud again Bismarck. In writing he did many times though. And direct displeasure against the king, never. Indirectly many times though. Also Wilhelm l was hardly a confused weakling as shown here. Despite his age, he was largely in control. He ceded control to Bismarck because of his firm faith that Bismarck would find the best political option, always. He was right.

[@VersusARCH]

Director's compromise to illuminate the audience about the key events of the era within a few hours of screen time.

[@christianstahl4099]

The Prussian Chief of Staff reported directly to the king, he was not subordinate to the minister of war. In fact, every corps commander (having the rank of general) had the „Immediatrecht“, i.e. the option to report directly to the king.

[@victorsforza6213]

Bismarcks meeting with former US president Ulysses S Grant in 1877 was a fascinating event.

[@PaulRietvoorn]

i wonder if bismarck had really acted like this, crying, running around, yelling at his own king, throwing something kaputt, threatening to leap to his death

[@ilietudor6878]

Paul Riet he did

[@nazberg445]

This episode and the series tend to generalise a lot of things. While Bismarck may not have done exactly what is portrayed in this clip, it is nevertheless trying to portray Bismarck's fiery temper and habit for throwing fits when something grave happened in government that didn't suit him or his will.

[@blitzcrieg101]

@@nazberg445 Actually, he did Actually scream at Wilhelm and threatened to jump off a four story window till he submitted

[@skinnyvid]

@@blitzcrieg101 you keep repeating this in the comment section. Do you know the source? It's okay if it's in German.

[@sasakikojiro5538]

im not expert in german and europe war and political events, but from my a little study i found that bismark is the important figure that helps prussia become powerhouse in europe.The conflict between him and wilhelm the second cause the prussia downfall.Bismark is a brilliant in political and war affairs.

[@arifahmedkhan9999]

Yea, you aren't right, as a fellow student of Knowledge, I would disagree as 1)Prussia was already a powerhouse Bismarck united the Germans under the prussians with Iron and blood of the prussians.[he didn't make prussia anything, he utilized prussia to his best ability] 2) Prussian downfall wasn't a thing. Germany's first downfall was in 1918 with ww1. Though you could claim it was because Kaiser Wilhelm was an aggressor and cause the war, but that would just be a lie, it was the Russians. Who were the aggressors and UK used this to subdue a rising rival. And falsely blamed it on Kaiser. Who wanted peace as we know from his letters UK didn't like it's status que being challenged and this was inevitable would have happened anytime, as Germany was advancing way too quickly and already became the 2nd strongest nation on Earth 3) Bismarck was indeed a "brilliant" politician BUT he was just that, A politician. He had not a lot of sense in the War. It was brilliant generals like Moltke here and the crown prince himself, to a degree and others. Basically he waged war and prussia won them. (Double quoted "brilliant", because morally speaking he was completely sinful for all the deaths that he caused by wars even the crown prince didn't like his method and I agree. It's unholy to kill a brother. Obviously this is as a Muslim and I Know Christians have the same laws as well, so it wasn't really acceptable to anyone at that time as people like to claim)

[@derrickstorm6976]

"This is disgusting" was critique of Bismarck's overt manipulation of the Kaiser, and everyone else's in the room either falling for it or not acting against it

[@zhouwu]

Bismarck was right. If he can't protect his men with his life, then at least he can protect them with his death! This is a man I respect, who only gives his men causes worth sacrificing their precious blood for!

[@ImperialGuard9001]

Helmuth von Moltke is the boss!

[@VersusARCH]

Without Bismarck Moltke and his army army would have faced a WW1-style coalition and been defeated. But without Moltke, Bismarck wouldn't have the means to unite Germany. They were trully a dream team.

[@Pimsleurable]

To think Bismarck and Kurt Jurgens were born a hundreds apart.

[@malwaretestingfan]

The pathos that these actors put into their roles is fascinating.

[@FredDude27]

Curd Jürgens, excellent! :D

[@Anglomachian]

The idea of men crying over whether or whether to not order the further deaths of people. Correct word, Moltke, incorrect sentiment.

[@melissavictoriabomfim00]

Genius of diplomacy.

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

But unfortunately not in the long run. Especially with the case of Austria. The Hasburg barely have or can maintain control of their remaining ethics empire. In the long with nationalism it will be done.

[@delavalmilker]

If Bismarck came back to life today, I wonder what he would make of Germany (and Europe) today?

[@smokejaguar986]

He would sigh deeply, then smoke some weed and read Wikipedia and write books

[@thewolfofswingthat2035]

prussia ceased to exists, thinked about how pissed he would be

[@VersusARCH]

He'd first be curious about the cell phones and automobiles.

[@leehaiko3999]

He would wonder why Germany is so small and has decided to ally itself with the French and British when an alliance with Russia would make more sense for Germany now.

[@baraxor]

Bismarck's da man! I'd vote for him!

[@justinbowers2749]

that is no way to speak to the emperor

[@dragblacker557]

He's not emperor yet, just king of Prussia.

[@justinbowers2749]

all the same he shouldnt talk to his master like that

[@prussianimperial8084]

John6yt well....it would have been better for the empire if he got his way

[@MelvinDaMan]

Yeah, but he saw the direness of the decision and demanded for the right choice: to not march to Vienna in order to ensure Austria’s neutrality in the next war, the Franco Prussian war.

[@iTube22100]

What about the left arm of Von Moltke ?

[@lonewulf44]

Please offer evidence of such ... Bismarck often did seem to use resignation and anger as threats to push the Kaiser into accepting policy .... neither would be childish or petulant.

[@doughbertgargar9267]

This is actually read Robert K. Massies book entitled Dreadnought

[@thegreatfrederick5812]

Of course that's a real historical event. But it has been portrayed somewhat falsely by this part of Fall of Eagles. The Nazi film Bismarck (1940) is much more realistic in describing these stormy discussions

[@thegreatfrederick5812]

The Great Frederick Just a very little example: like the historical books, Bismarck (1940) had Crown Prince Friedrich told Bismarck: "You know I'm against the war..." and then privately persuaded his father, not openly before Bismarck's eyes like this ridiculous scene.

[@LoganSewell83]

I read through the early chapters of Dreadnought and I found the book to be closer the 1940 film entitled "Bismarck." I like this performance, but Curt Jurgens' portrayl is impractical in real life. Nobody in real life can work with a man who screams at everything. The 1940's Bismarck is probably closer to the real man.

[@codeagent47]

hahaha his tears are political. lol

[@ElConductista]

El gran Curt Jurgens personifica a Bismarck en esta excelente miniserie que quiero encontrar en algún lado.

[@dasabendlandprojekt8031]

great!

[@kieranhouliston3065]

Did that guy just say that bismarck is crying about it politically?

[@stevenbucholz3299]

"Bismarck" is the correct spelling. Leaving out the "c" is a common mistake.

[@Penfold-zr2be]

Sir Horatio Manners

[@CountSwann]

Good old Kurt Jurgens

[@augustvonmackensen1101]

I served my country well.

[@54blewis]

Bismarck would have prevented Germany being dragged into a major European war on behalf of Austria’s need to punish Serbia and there would probably have not been a 1st world war* (* this is of course speculation )

[@VersusARCH]

Hm... I wonder. Bismarck was brilliant but still a bit of a gambler/risk taker. The very German unification, which Bismarck pulled off so brilliantly, resulted in Germany being the marked country in Europe to be ganged up against by the next coalition regardless of any diplomatic shenanigans. The result was WW1.

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

@@VersusARCH Even his alliance with Russia and Austria already crumbling around him especially when it came to the Balkan situation. People said Kaiser Wilhelm II broke the alliance with Russia. But when Russia asked for Bismarck support for Russia influence over the Balkan especially in Bulgaria he refused to help them. Nice job there Bismarck you don't want to fight a 2 front war. Yet you denied the Russian intention for the Balkan is not helping any of it alliance at all. Worst he even carved later so that Bulgaria won't have access to the Mediterranean sea. So that Russian can't have access too. So honest i wonder what his play here of trying an alliance with Russia. If he didn't support Russian objective in the Balkan.

[@raftai665]

​@@thanhhoangnguyen4754 That's a good point. But he was likely wary due to relations with the Austro-Hungarian empire. But he should have seen it for the crumbling empire it was at the time, just like the Ottomans. Whereas Russia would always be a major player due to it's sheer size. If anything the Russians were actually growing stronger by the late 19th century following the humiliation in the Crimean War.

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

@@raftai665 Yeah that the problem how can he the great man visionary like him didn't see that. He literally stripped the Austrian of any real power and attachment in the age of nationalism. If the Austrian aren't in with the Germany eventhough they are German then what are they? Bismarck truly believed that the Austrian or particularly the Habsburg can run a multi ethnic Empire forever in the long run.

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

@@raftai665 As for the Russian if he allied with the Russian and help their demand. The Austrian will allies with the French and also British too if the Russian got port through Bulgaria. Bismarck know the Balkan was powderkeg between Russia and Austria. How he believed they he could keep them on the same ship is beyond me.

[@fntime]

He used 'political tears' ~

[@sugessad]

he is so baby girl

[@martinlisitsata]

The accent strikes me as a french one , find that ironic. And this here is why the kaiser once said : It is not easy being Kaiser under Bismarck.

[@cirvine11]

Bismarck was indeed brilliant. However, his cold, inhumane, logic of power was the basis for the disasters of the 20th Century. It should give us all pause... and make us reflect on ourselves.

[@DanganYankee]

His main drawback is that he can’t imagine a world without him in it, which is exactly what happened after his death with kaiser willy the 2nd undid bismarck’s achievement and policies one by one

[@surmadisan8163]

@@DanganYankee do you watch extra history?

[@ANProductionsOfficialChannel]

Bismark. The ultimate chad!

[@Windsor1able]

@oliaiguambfigues76 he knew how to manipulate the kaiser to his will by threatening to resign or things like that!

[@ImperialGuard9001]

People sometimes do rants Hitler migh be a bad leader overall but many times his decisions were wise and to the point such decision of Invasion of France where his generals hesitated. Also he had degeneritive disase that got worsen during the war in end he was trully mad. But he wasnt always such even so we must remain critical of his decisions. Bismarck was one great political genius of 19th century but he still got depressed and emotional various times he isnt only political genius that did so

[@arifahmedkhan9999]

Big mastermind politician baby eh?

[@AliceMarieM]

What film does this clip come from?

[@bfdidc6604]

AliceMarieM "The Fall of Eagles" It's not a film but a BBC television series from the 1970s.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

Watching this again after years has gone by and still I am baffled that this is what Bismarck did. This scene feels less like it came from a history series and more of a comedy show, even if itbwas verbatim from the actual surviving minutes of this specific meetimg...

[@omnius28]

What movie is this? I need to grab it!

[@typicaljaguar9155]

It's actually a TV miniseries called Fall of the Eagles

[@michelebaggio1070]

is that a movie?

[@minimax9452]

what is the title of the whole Film?

[@gronizherz3603]

2:00 BISMARCK, BE REEEAASONAABLLLEEEEEEE

[@Logar_Komutanoglu]

What is the name of this film?

[@ultrajn25]

Well he was right about the Balkans

[@VersusARCH]

That was a hyperbole.

[@JackOpulski]

Thisssss is dissssgusting

[@gerg20]

@oliaiguambfigues76 He might have been astute, but he was also petulant and childish.

[@LordClaremorris]

I agree. Austria had also not been defeated entirely. They had won in Italy, and Archduke Albert was forming a defence of Vienna. The Austrian Empire was large, the Prussians might have spread themselves too thin and the Austrians may have then destroyed the. In any case it would be long and expensive and would allow the French or Russians to intervene. The Austrians may well have been able to pull what the French actually did pull in 1870.

[@joshgellis3292]

I like their accents. Typically, most times movie makers go for British ones for *_German_* characters.

[@TheAchilles252]

Which movie is this from?

[@dclarkin4671]

It's a BBC miniseries called Fall of Eagles done in the 1970s. It's superb -- and you can watch the whole thing on KZbin.

[@metaphoria3]

If only they were down w main dude

[@yes-qi8ng]

Bismarck*

[@aftershanman5928]

What film is this from

[@NikoChristianWallenberg]

TV-series Fall of the Eagles

[@schaerffenberg]

A British caricature of German history. Having pissed away their empire, the Limies are still venting their vain regrets on old enemies. Is there anything more pathetic in this world than an Englishman?

[@BalboaParkJPN]

Yes; a self-important, generalizing xenophobe.

[@TheManic10]

+bisquitnspanky Except for the fact that every country in western europe has a germanic heritage.

[@LiberRaider]

Yes.

[@ImmortanDan]

bisquitnspanky Firstly, as one song says, all of the German states at that time are to be considered "Germany". Secondly, their only direct fuckup, one the prevention of which would have made Germany invincible, was not disinheriting Wilhelm II. Thirdly, the Pickelhaube was fucking majestic.

[@apilgurung5005]

Yes. Merkel.

[@stevenbucholz3299]

"Bismarck" is the correct spelling.

[@ashimata9766]

Yes

[@faissal104]

The name of movie?

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

Fall of the Eagles it is on youtube

[@tubularbill]

And they named a donut after him The Bismarck...

[@fntime]

@oliaiguambfigues76 When did you meet him? And why do you presume that Hitler did madman's rants? You are absorbing 'truths' about historical characters without first hand knowledge and in most cases with tenth hand knowledge. You might be right, but I think this show made Bismarck interesting! Being very rational doesn't exclude you from madness. As a matter of fact, the more rational the more likely you will be 'mad'!

[@lonewulf44]

The bias attempted to show Bismarck as a fool, or at best in the negative is downright laughable. The scene could be portrayed in so many ways, even in the reverse, to show Bismarck negotiating with threats, anger, and emotion ... yet standing for policies that made sense, served his country, and more. When you look at what the man accomplished it seems to lend much more weight to a calculating, purposeful, strategic version of these events versus this comical, childish, shallow Bismarck. Love the Moltke portrayal though, seems spot on.

[@RuthvenMurgatroyd]

He threatened to jump out of the fourth-story window of Nikolsburg Castle. He was no fool but he could be dramatic (partly why he was popular in the first place).

[@TheMexican1821]

I wrote an alternative history where The German empire annexes Austria, Hungary, and northern Romania. Greece rises to gain control of the Balkans, and retakes Istanbul/Constantinople.

[@srdjan455]

Let each tribe stays in it's own lands he says In a country where half of it is Polish

[@ImmortanDan]

srdjan455 Half? No, only one and a half provinces out of nine.

[@vidman163]

It is a tv show called Fall of Eagles, check my channel if you are interested since I might upload some.

[@jjrj8568]

typical german craziness

[@youngarchivest9092]

Joan Ruiz Jacob They're Prussian and how are they carzy? Both of what they said is reasonable.

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

Otto von Bismarck was perhaps the last great political mindset Germany, Europe & the world will ever have had, Kaiser Wilhelm II did not dismiss Bismarck for any personal reasons, but it was on the accounts of him being senile and to gon ho about solving internal strife like protests with the army, he did listen to the Iron Chancellor, but his hands were tied when WW 1 started and was forced into it by his generals, Moltke the Younger & Tirpitz who would later betray him

[@em-yh8gy]

what's the name of this film?