Why did Wilhelm II get rid of Bismarck? (Short Animated Documentary)

[@nolancer5974]

It's also important to note that Wilhelm actually wanted to give Bismarck the position of Foreign Minister, since he did recognize his success in foreign policy, but he did want to keep him out of domestic affairs (as explained in the video why), but for Bismarck it was either chancellor or bust.

[@bjhale]

It would be interesting to see how history would view him if he had stayed on as foreign minister given the events that led to WWI. I don't know much about how much power cabinet members had over their own areas, but if they ultimately deferred to the Kaiser, Bismarck could have found himself officially presiding over the demise of his own diplomatic system.

[@nolancer5974]

@@bjhale You know it wasn't Wilhelm who "destroyed" the foreign policy, right? His actual foreign policy was decent, it was Britain who continued to sour relations with Germany which in the end led to the formation of the Triple Entente.

[@bcvetkov8534]

Even if this was the case. It was incredibly moronic to allow someone like Bismarck to resign. He was a genius and one of a kind in his generation.

[@789know]

​@@nolancer5974 Try to actively compete with Royal navy sure did look like it was the british and not Wilhelm II fault at all. Tho his high sea fleet ended up didn't do anything useful in the overall picture of the war.

[@nolancer5974]

@@bcvetkov8534 Bismarck is too overrated, sure he definitely was a great chancellor, but I would not worship him as this God. In his later years Bismarck was becoming morea nd more senile, and his Ultraconservatism was definitely going to cause more harm than good, like the fact he wanted to break up the Miners' strike with the military instead of actually trying to solve it peacefully like Wilhelm wanted to. And let's not forget that his Kulturkampf with the Catholic Church was also negative on German socety.

[@dragonsword2253]

This channel has conditioned me to think that it must surely be Napoleon's fault that Bismarck lost his job

[@scottydu81]

As far as I’m concerned, the French Revolution caused WWII

[@PAGoTribe1963]

🤣🤣🤣

[@HogBurger]

Well the napoleonic wars boosted nationalism, which make the German people want to be unified, which Bismarck helped with, and without said nationalism, Wilhelm II wouldn’t have been German kaiser, so he would’ve never put Bismarck out of his job Might be confusing but yeah, it is napoleons fault

[@RafaelMonteiroMaia]

Well, you see... Bismarck rose to glory by unifying Germany. He managed to do that largely because he rallied the other German States against Napoleon III. Without Napoleon, there's no Napoleon III. Without Napoleon III, Bismarck doesn't unify Germany and form the German Empire. Without the German Empire, Bismarck doesn't gain his reputation that would eventually lead to his dispute with Wilhelm II. So in a way, Napoleon is responsible for Bismarck losing his job.

[@Brockza]

After the defeat of France in the Napoleonic wars, the junkers, young German officers which Bismarck was a member saw there role as leaders of Germany. So Napoleons fault

[@ragingsage3973]

"Threatened to resign" is a bit of an understandment. Bismarck even attempted to jump from a window one time when could not convince Wilhelm I of his views

[@_Dibbler_]

Ok, I want an episode about that now

[@Lucas_07-PL]

Most mentaly stable German politican.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

"His tears are political" - Moltke the Elder...

[@1996koke]

Did he threatened to jump from the window or he literally went to window and tried to jump?

[@thefrenchbastard1646]

@sine moderamine but doesn't defenestration imply jumping truw the window itself as opposed to oppening it and jumping like someone trying to comit suicide would usualy do?

[@TheLoraxshadenough]

Wilhelm II: "you're going to do these things I've asked you to do." Bismarck: "you can go find a new chancellor to do it instead." Wilhelm: "ok, there's the door." Bismarck: "wait, hold on. This isn't how it's normally goes."

[@BrotherHood-xh9sg]

I can just a little while later, Wilmelm II meets Bismarck in the afterlife as he waited there. And just looks at him silently as Wilhelm makes excuse after excuse.

[@markusd338]

@@BrotherHood-xh9sg Shut up

[@bruhbruh-us6gl]

@@BrotherHood-xh9sg Except none of what happened was Wilhelm II fault.

[@F.R.E.D.D2986]

​@@bruhbruh-us6gl how

[@exilhamburger4802]

@@bruhbruh-us6gl Naval arms race that put germany in conflict with GB? Ending the alliance (Rückversicherungsvertrag) with Russia? Not Wilhelm II fault!? During the war the decision to torpedo any ships coming from the US to britain, even those with civilian passengers?!

[@BeWe1510]

Bismarck is a perfect example of foreign-policy-bias in the long term reception of historic figures. He was one of the greatest geniuses in foreign policy of all time, which defines his image today but in domestic politics he was mediocre at best, which was seen as the more pressing issue at the time. So, despite his very good reputation in retrospect, there was little grief when he resigned

[@Osterochse]

kind of odd since in Germany he certainly portrayed as someone who also had a lot of short commings. But maybe he is seen differently in other countries since other countries put more emphasis on foreign policy than domestic policy since it affects them more.

[@ohauss]

It's quite a bit more complex than that. Bismarck was staunchly monarchist-conservative, so expecting him to enact massive reforms would be foolhardy. Nonetheless, he introduced the first social security measures, precisely because he did see that trying to prevent some degree of social reforms would only fuel ever more unrest. Bismarck had his goals in terms of German unification come true, so naturally, after that happened, some of the drive was gone and he mostly switched to preservation mode - incidentally, one reason why Wilhem thought him a "pacifist", despite the fact that Bismarck had steered Prussia through a whole bunch of wars: His goal of German unification having been achieved, Bismarck feared that further wars would only endanger what was won. History proved him right in that regard. And even after his resignation, Bismarck had considerable klout. "Das Gespenst vom Sachsenwald" regularly sent missives to the press. Whereas before, he hadn't given an interview in ages, now he was omnipresent. Journalists from all over Germany, but in fact the world, regularly dropped by at Friedrichsruh, letting Bismarck explain to them his views of the world. Bismarck himself wrote over 1000 articles, and he had wrapped the local political editor Hermann Hofmann around his finger who published many more articles spreading Bismarck's views - so closely matched with Bismarck's tone that even his son supposedly had difficulties telling which article was by his father and which by Hofmann. If Wilhelm II had thought Bismarck silenced with his demission, he was seriously mistaken.

[@basedstreamingatcozy-dot-t7126]

this is a ridiculous complaint of Bismark. The dude was a social conservative from over a hundred years ago, of course you personally don't like his domestic policy agenda.

[@shonfrost8781]

No wonder the perception of Bismarck to Germany changes to "cool guy i admire him" to he kinda sucks. Well i dont really know since i do think its just the way of the past, after all the evil of today is the good of the past

[@SocialDownclimber]

@@basedstreamingatcozy-dot-t7126 No, you just misunderstood. He was a social conservative whose views were deeply disputed at the time. We aren't judging him by modern standards, we are judging him by the standards of his time. And by those standards he was a very harsh social conservative. Calm down please.

[@matthew416811]

Frederick III's wife, princess Victoria was Queen Victoria's daughter. Which, in case you're wondering, is what made Wilhelm II of Germany and George V of the UK - cousins.

[@rosieroti4063]

how did they survive so long without injuring themselves?

[@piyo744]

Wilhelm II and George V were also cousins with Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia.

[@Drave_Jr.]

Also, Nicholas II was also related to Queen Victoria, so they were cousins to each other

[@sirharryflashman3064]

@@piyo744 George and Nicholas looked so much like each other they could have been twins

[@matthew416811]

@@piyo744 Not directly. His wife, princess Alix of Hesse is though, since she is a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

[@otho69AD]

The fact Bismarck basically just threw a tantrum every time he didn't get what he wanted is honestly way more entertaining to me than it should be

[@atrebuchet5267]

I mean he kind of had to, he was kind of holding Germany together.

[@samwecerinvictus]

@OTHO After essentially creating a “Germany” and trying to govern a Country of growing war mongers, extreme nationalists, and political illiterates like Wilhelm II, it was in hindsight very necessary.

[@dominicguye8058]

pretty common tbh

[@resentfuldragon]

@@samwecerinvictus Not true actually, germany didn't start ww1. The mistake they made was going through belgium, but otherwise they were blameless for starting the war. The austrians declared war on serbia after the assassination, and germany only came in after russia declared on austria. Russia is why the war escalated to a multi-state war, Austria started the actual war, and Serbian/Bosnian nationalists are the reason it was even possible. Germany didn't start the war at all and the french joined immediately after germany. Only the brits can claim innocence on the entente, even the usa made mistakes like supplying valuable weapons on civilian ships.

[@SirParanoidAndroid]

@@resentfuldragon Even if Germany didn't start WWI, they were still viewed as warmongers. They fought the Danish, the Austrians, and the French, the only major European conflict that they didn't participate was the Crimean War, so the view of Germany as a warmongering nation was justified and further cemented with the naval arms race and their militarization.

[@masterplokoon8803]

Bismarck:" Hey, if you don't let me have my way, I will resign" Wilhelm II:" Who cares man?" Bismarck:" Oh no, apathy! My weakness!"

[@johnbuczkowski5628]

Oversimplified reference!

[@AlteryxGaming]

Dude, very cool!

[@konanpl8936]

I would give you like but i can't destroy this perfect 69 number.

[@-et37-]

Straight line?

[@wazzupp1029]

@@-et37- straight line.

[@ElysiumCreator]

“Ok, nice knowing you” is possibly one of the funniest lines in the history of this channel

[@odinfromcentr2]

"Bye nerd" 😂

[@BuriedFlame]

Right up there with "Fun Fact? No."

[@marin8141]

But Mao wasnt interested in safety, Mao was interested in proceeding.

[@mcanty]

"you had one job"

[@BORLMBK]

I like how Bismarck’s strategy for disagreements was “do what I want or deal with the problem yourself” and it worked for almost 30 years and when it stopped working the person who ended it completely failed to deal with it himself

[@nosepicker1999]

i've given you your 69th like! Also, that strategy is dependent on your merit, to which it seemed that his was very high 👍

[@gamercolio3218]

I mean… Wilhelm II did it himself, look how good thst turned out

[@Wulfrygg]

Bismarck didn‘t even WANT to fight France or Russia. After the Franco-Prussian War he saw Germany as „restituated“, without any need for any more territory. He wanted to maintain the then status quo like every other major politician of the time. Unfortunately for him and everyone else the military and industrial complexes found a willing puppet in Wilhelm II and other European leaders.

[@DvornyashkaDiaries]

Wilhelm 2 was a moron. That drugged whole Europe and his own homeland to place so terrifying that even hell would seem like a sexy ass vacation. Bismarck should've staged a coup d'etat. Although I do think by that time everyone was tired of his authoritarian presence. In the end nobody cares if you a genius, if you are a dick.

[@Thomas_Name]

@@nosepicker1999 meirit is equal to a person's worthlessness. So most normaltrash would have it work for them.

[@ThMnWthNNm]

For all his successful achievements, Bismarck’s greatest mistake was assuming he would never serve an Emperor who could confidently say no to him, and who would actually call his bluff when he threatened to resign by accepting it.

[@DehydratedDarkness]

Germany under Bismarck was a ticking time-bomb. Unsustainable, dangerous to people within and in the wider area. Bismarck was the first modern politician, sacrificing long-term politics for popularity stunts like introducing old age pesnions (extremely unsustainable even then btw). Bismarck has united Germany, but also done the most to ruin it

[@benfrank9622]

​@@DehydratedDarkness Ruin how?

[@charleswhitefullbusteruchi1972]

not really a bluff, was it

[@raptorhacker599]

@@DehydratedDarkness tough to swallow truth pill

[@scottthejatt]

​@@benfrank9622 He was an ultraconservative who used the army to put down strikes.

[@operationmeh]

Bismarck: I'll resign, just watch me! Willy: ok Bismarck: wait no hang on

[@tysonplett3328]

"You weren't supposed to do that!"

[@big_sea]

yes

[@supragyapandey7286]

Bismarck: *Resigns* Wilhelm II: *Accepts resignation* Bismarck: *Shocked Pikachu face*

[@theawesomeman9821]

One should always be careful for what he wishes for😂

[@Hand-in-Shot_Productions]

@@theawesomeman9821 This proverb sure applies to Bismarck!

[@FourOf92000]

Bismarck: "I'll resign" Wilhelm I: "nooooo, you can't quit, fine" Bismarck: "I'll resign" Wilhelm II: "you can't quit, you're fired"

[@aldotorres1983]

So basically, Bismarck's threat to resign was the equivalent of calling Wilhelm's hand while only having a pair of 2's himself.

[@BazukinBelyugovich]

I mean, it was a winning strategy for the most part, as it seems like he mostly got his way. I guess it was just that Wilhelm II called his bluff.

[@juanjuri6127]

not the best language to use since Wilhelm II was a notorious hand fetishist, but yes

[@madtechnocrat9234]

As we all know Wilhelm had a weak hand...

[@planescaped]

Bismarck: Imma 'bout to do what's called a pro gamer move.

[@johnladuke6475]

I dunno man, if you wait until 1919 it sure seems like the Bismarck might have been worth keeping.

[@colindaniels945]

Also to point out: Wilhelm the 2nd actually had a great deal of respect for Bismarck and was willing to compromise with him. The compromise being that Bismarck would be in charge of/have a free hand in foreign affairs/policy while domestic policy would be under the Kaiser. Bismarck refused,so he quit.

[@kromsukit]

people act as if it wasn’t petty

[@johnnotrealname8168]

He really was his own worst enemy.

[@mr.trollman.]

@@johnnotrealname8168bismark or wilhelm?

[@johnnotrealname8168]

@@mr.trollman. Otto, Fürst von Bismarck, Graf von Bismarck-Schönhausen, Herzog zu Lauenburg

[@10Tabris01]

One correction, the German Empire was not an absolute monarchy, having a constitution which by the way allowed for universal male suffrage on the federal level

[@gezzarandom]

It would’ve been funnier if the resignation scenario played out like this: Bismarck: I quit! Wilhelm II: Wait you can’t quit! Bismarck: Ha I knew you’d come around! Wilhelm II: No you don’t get it, you can’t quit because you’re fired!

[@minamagdy4126]

I remember, as part of a history class exercise in diplomacy, being part of the team that represented the German Empire. Around halfway through, it became apparent that a significant amount of mail was insults between us and France. (Also, Italy betrayed us, while we were trying to turn the UK against Russia, who was trying to turn us against them. Also, everyone allied Belgium, to which they had little choice)

[@josevelazquez9625]

This sounds hilarious ❤😂

[@Jotari]

Isn't that largely historically accurate?

[@fadirabadi3071]

I love the fact that both wilhelm and bismark were both correct in each others view of the other

[@Vanalovan]

Bismarck: “Blood and Iron!” Wilhelm III: “Get a load of this hippie”

[@aleksandarvil5718]

Wilhelm III ?!??

[@johnnotrealname8168]

​@@aleksandarvil5718Well there was one depending on how you see things.

[@aleksandarvil5718]

​@@johnnotrealname8168 Vilhelm II / 2nd

[@johnnotrealname8168]

@@aleksandarvil5718 No, Wilhelm III.

[@aleksandarvil5718]

@@johnnotrealname8168 ?!!??

[@jinkschuvisko8772]

Nice to know that Wilhelm II was more for workers rights while Bismarck was against it. I thought it would be the opposite but good to know

[@mint8648]

Bismarck was a conservative but he created the german welfare state to draw votes away from the liberals and socialists

[@nolancer5974]

The reason why he was so empathetic towards workers is because in his childhood his tutor made him and his brother visit numerous factories when they were boys, and at some points they would even work alongside the workers as standard employees. Because Wilhelm had a more different upbringing compared to other Princes, he was a lot more sympathetic to the working class and understood what they needed and how to talk to them. Under his reign he passed numerous legislations for workers' rights and under him the most casual labourer was among the highest paid in all of Europe.

[@jinkschuvisko8772]

@@nolancer5974 That really clarifies a lot. Thank you very much

[@migueltrujillo8929]

It's also another reason why Wilhelm built up the navy. Not only was it of course for imperial purposes but it was a way of endearing the working class of all Germany to him. While the Army was very aristocratic, with the Officer Corps consisting of Junkers and Prussians, the navy was the opposite. It was a new institution and as such it had no aristocratic traditions, so those from the working class had better chances to move up the ranks.

[@fallendown8828]

Bismarck was based

[@convue4112]

If i remember correctly before the video, bismarck was seen as aged and incompetent. Kaiser wanted new tactics, and bismarck knew they couldnt fight france and russia at the same time

[@esochibuike8477]

Bismarck wasn't incompetent back then.

[@srccde]

@@esochibuike8477 He said that Bismarck 'was seen' (by the Kaiser) as incompetent. Read more carefully.

[@MatheusLB2009]

Maybe outdated, but definelly not incompetent

[@martinduran9523]

They did a good job of fighting France and Russia at the same time tho. Had America not joined in, they might have got an ok peace deal and kept their huge gains East.

[@MatheusLB2009]

@@martinduran9523 it was better just not go to war

[@theduke7539]

Bismarck forgot how to handle a new boss. Never forget, it doesnt matter how good you were under your old boss. Every new boss sees you as a blank sheet and will treat you as such. either become the boss or prove your worth to every boss you have forever

[@SelfProclaimedEmperor]

No matter how far you climb up the ladder, you will always have a boss, CEOs must obey the board of directors and government regulation. Presidents must obey congress and their voters.

[@theduke7539]

@Essence of Order my homie, learn to be the boss, doesnt mean you have to be at the same company. Start your own if thats the game you want to play

[@Heike--]

@@SelfProclaimedEmperor Presidents must obey the national security state: FBI, CIA, NSA and all the others. Congress is a joke and nobody in DC gives a crap about what the voters think. They elected Trump, how stupid can anyone be?

[@MidKnightblue0013]

Very impressive how this guy can condense history down to the most basic point to give people who don't have the time or focus to at least get the main point on these issues, very cool.

[@darreljones8645]

Getting fired by Wilhelm II was the one thing for which Bismarck had no plan.

[@unknown-p3i]

Bismarck: I’m going to resign if you don’t do what I want Wilhelm II: Ok Bismarck: :0

[@Vampirecronicler]

:[0

[@omg.mesohungry]

Bismarck: That's it, I'm going to resign! Wilhelm I: No, please come back! I'll let you do everything you want! Friedrich III: 💀 Wilhelm II: Auf Wiedersehen.

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

2:18 Slightly before, Bismarck actually realized he fucked up big time and had the *audacity* to appeal to Frederick III’s widow, Empress Victoria, in spite of Bismarck partially being responsible for Victoria’s poor relationship with her son. She basically said as much when he went to her for help

[@johnnotrealname8168]

It had little to do with Bismarck honestly. Victoria treated him a bit harshly.

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

@@johnnotrealname8168 True, but Bismarck did not help the situation and had a personally poor relationship with Victoria

[@occam7382]

You gotta appreciate the balanced perspective this man gives. I feel like everyone just gushes over Bismarck while defiling Willy 2 as the worst leader ever, but that's not how it was at all.

[@Osterochse]

Wilhelm certainly wasn't the worst leader ever. He is often given the blame for supposedly starting the war even though he was many times very hesitent to act actually agressively towards other countries. Germany was a constituional monarchy. It was more the militara's idea that a war is needed that the Kaiser's. He couldnt just make that decision and a war starts. 100 years after the end of WW I people should really start to reevaluate him a bit.

[@lollikabosso.w.n7153]

​​@@Osterochse i agree with the last part, but not the rest about Wilhelm He wanted the war, like every power did. Its just that he didnt want a war that he knew would put Germany in so much trouble. As in, war that Germany CAN win. The only thing id say was wrong about Wilhelm II, was his zigg zagging however. Had he focused on making one alliance work, it would be great. He always changed his mind about what alliance he wanted. Heck, had he tried, he could make friends with Russia again, or make alliance with USA. But when he did start to try, he immediately switched sides. In the end, somewhat his about the alliance. But, and i mean it, he was still one of the better leaders of that period

[@FelipeJaquez]

>Inherits an Empire that became a leading power in continental Europe >starts getting into diplomatic feuds with multiple countries for no real reason >appoints generals and other figures who also can't play the diplomatic game >invades Belgium ensuring Britain will join the war >two front war ensues, the one thing that was to be avoided >left when things were falling apart >spent the rest of his life blaming everyone else Bismarck wasn't no 7D perfect mastermind but he sure was a hell of a lot better than Willy. Frederick III probably would have done better if he hadn't died at 55 years old.

[@lollikabosso.w.n7153]

​​​​@@FelipeJaquez 1. I fail to see the problem in that. 2. Diplomatic feuds werent really the issue, as much as the zig zagging diplomacy, which was just confusing, and barely fit. Had he tried just 1 alliance, he wouldve made allies with some countries that could last and help him in the long run. 2.5. Wilhelm did try keeping Bismarck, or putting his cousin in charge of foreign relations, since he did recognise its use and thought it is beyond good. 3. Not really, since he didnt much like the army officers, and preffered the navy. If you want to really blame him for bad diplomacy, talk about his zig zagging, cause otherwise, he couldve made good relations even with USA. 4. Schliefen plan was made to avoid fortifications on the Franco German Border and to help make the war be won much quicker. The problem is, the OHL (German High Comand) got overly decadent and self confident, that they didnt pay much attention to it, and thought it would be really easy to just follow through it, without thinking about logistics, supplies and improved planning. A lot of people give Willy creddit for not renewing the alliance with the Russians, but it was attempted 2 times by Bismarck and neither time it worked. It was somewhat inevitable that the two front war would happen, it was just not expected for Russians to mobilise in 5 weeks, instead of 5 months. 5. He witnessed the rise of socialist in germany before and during the war, and seeing as the russian imperial family ended up, he didnt wish for his family and himself to be next royal family executed by left leaning radicals. 6. Not sure I have anything to say to that. And the last part, Bismarck was good for forming relations, putting Germany on Global stage and forging an empire. However, his Internal politics were rather getting outdated during his time as the chancellor, leading to more social discontent in the empire. Things like persecution of Catholics, Polish, radical moves against left leaning parties and people who general, had left leaning ideals, combined with injustices, lack of social welfare for common people lead to him becoming worse for germany on domestic front. His Foreign policy was however still vallued, despite some hiccups. Even Wilhelm II admired him, being mentored by him from a young age.

[@toastyanon8902]

Yeah, Willy deserves a lot of flak for his bellicose foreign policies, but it’s nice to know that he also had a gentler side that genuinely helped people in his country.

[@bramstedt8997]

You can sum up the politics of the German empire with people threatening the emperor with resignation (Hindenburg and Ludendorff would use this tactic to effectively become dictators for the second half of WWI)

[@TerminatorHIX]

Hitler used a similar gambit to sideline Anton Drexler and take over the NSDAP in 1921.

[@johnnotrealname8168]

It was war-time and the populace had more input, I think they supported unrestricted submarine warfare.

[@Cobra7071]

Actually Hindenburg backed the Kaiser and Ludendorff was fired.

[@connorgolden4]

This is one I actually sorta know. But always interesting to learn about!

[@malcolmabram2957]

Love these series. Love history, but you present the salient facts in such a short and memorable fashion. One silly point, Wilhelm II could not hold up flags with his left arm as it was all but paralysed.

[@doctoremil2678]

Bismarck was a genius. In 1897, Wilhelm II paid him a visit during which Bismarck said: "Your Majesty, so long as you have this present officer corps, you can do as you please. But when this is no longer the case, it will be very different for you. The crash will come 20 years after my departure if things go on like this." Bismarck died in July 1898, Wilhelm II abdicated in November 1918.

[@jeffwolcott7815]

Boy did Otto call it.

[@pandasniper1]

to be fair though, it was mismarks foreign diplomatic treaties that created ww1 and ended wilhelms career

[@waltuhgoodman3427]

​@@pandasniper1 read your history He aligned Germany with RUSSIA, Austria, and Italy Had he stayed a little longer, he might have made an alliance with the british via chamberlain

[@pandasniper1]

@@waltuhgoodman3427 and If I stay a little longer a meteor with 10000 kgs of platinum may fall at my feet in perfect condition to sell. How about you read some history and not come up with a what if to make an excuse

[@waltuhgoodman3427]

@@pandasniper1 No, not a what if, that's only for Britain. Wilhelm screwed up on that one, because of Bismarck's replacement and his hatred for the british As for Russia, look up The League of Three Emperors This alliance could have prevented WW1

[@hongyiliu2467]

“Your Majesty, you can do whatever you want in the next twenty years or so, but I would not guarantee anything after that.” --Allegedly Bismarck

[@ywiz8135]

I mean, you are wrong on numbers. I made it 21 years between removing you and starting a ruinous war! 21! - Allegedly Wilhelm II

[@nikkip46]

He did predict WW1. Bismarck was a genius, Wilhelm was an idiot.

[@NicolasHaufe]

​@@ywiz8135how ignorant to you want to be? you: yes

[@irafan2]

This channel is one of the most entertaining educational channels I know. I love the characters too, and I just find it so cool. I've been watching this channel since the beginning, basically. This has helped me through the quarantine, it's just awesome what this channel has become. It even got me into geography, and now everyone calls me a geography nerd. Thank you. Thank you, I'll always remember the way that you impacted me and positively changed me.

[@piercepayumo4212]

Bismarck: "Do as I say or I leave." Wilhelm: "Okay. See ya nerd." Bismarck: *Pikachu face*

[@kandarptakawale2985]

we all know James Bissonnette was the real power behind the throne at all times

[@jamesbissonette8002]

Nope

[@nygothuey6607]

​@@jamesbissonette8002 Getting sick of being a KZbin comment legend yet?

[@spiffygonzales5160]

​@@jamesbissonette8002 Just what we'd expect a wealthy shadow government aristocrat to say! 🧐

[@jamesbissonette8002]

@@nygothuey6607 meh, can not really complain having 2k subscribers with no content whatsoever.

[@Koala1203]

Does that mean he's responsible for Germany's entrance into WWI?

[@dikshantsheoran]

Bismarck: I will jump from this window Kaiser Wilhelm I: No,please don't, here I agree Wilhelm II: Do a Flip!! Say, whatever you want, Bismarck really brought Germany to its peak

[@mint8648]

Under Wilhelm Germany’s economy surpassed Britain

[@slyseal2091]

@@mint8648 Yeah, did you know that the american economy only ever grew when the american president was male?

[@liamjm9278]

​@@mint8648 Which one?

[@mint8648]

@@liamjm9278 Wilhelm II

[@Blankskeen]

@@mint8648 He stood on the shoulders of giants.

[@Osterochse]

Bismarck was extremely bitter about his successor Leo von Caprivi and left no occasion untapped to talk trash about him. He called his political decisions "caprivioles". Contrary to what many people believe. I think it is hard to consider Bismarck an imperialist. Most of the time when it was possible to take land form a neighbour he was against it. He didn't want to annex land from Austria, which is why the borders didn't change after the "brotherwar" between Prussia and Austria and was also opposed to take land from France after the Franco-Prussian war. he didnt want to piss off anybody permanently and he knew that taking land creates longterm enemies. Only after a lot of pressure from the German public he gave in and annexed the Alsace. One of the reasons was also that a country that might be permanently opposed to Germany is better weakened if there is no way of getting along diplomatically. He was also opposed to colonialize Africa since that would create a weak point in German defenses since you either have land that an enemy can easily occupy in times of war or you have a navy to protect it and a bigger German navy would create tension with the British. He also thought that France colonializing Africa would deviate France's attention away from Europa and towards another continent which could only be a good thing. He would not have minded if France would have taken all of Africa as long as that keeps them busy. Bismarck's famously once said about the whole colonization thing: "I'll show you my map of Africa. There is Russia. There is France. We are in the middle. That is what matters." He eventually greenlid German colonialization of the continent since most German politicians were in favor of it, many colonial "adventurers" already created faits acomplis by just colonializing without a formal approval of the government and the general opinion in Germany was pro-colonies at this point. Since he needed to base his power on something he had to give in. Bismarck considered the German empire to be complete after the unification in 1871. But a new generation of politicians and rampant imperialism al over the world changed the character of the empire.

[@stratospheric37]

So he didn't oppose the colonization of Africa on the basis of the immense suffering and genocide brought upon the colonized, but simply because he personally thought it wouldn't be good for Germany, and then let it happen anyway. What a principled man! Glad he's fucking dead.

[@evelynzlon9492]

Bismarck is a vampire who's still alive and kicking. He is responsible for the gang-rapes and HIV infections of numerous indigenous South African children. Most of these girls have above-average IQs even by white standards, yet they lack the immediate funds to insulate themselves from violence because they're black. This is his way of permanently diminishing the impact of equal education and employment opportunity laws, without drawing attention to his racial and class motives. I know this from personal experience. Bismarck was my great-great-great grandpa but I myself am black. My aunt, also black, was a medical doctor. However even high-income blacks usually inherit debt and loss rather than wealth. So her daughter was a nurse's aid whose commute to work was isolated and therefore perilous. She had the misfortune to attract Bismarck's attention by association, and he used her as target practice for the violence he had planned for South Africa. She obviously never enjoyed the opportunity to replicate her mother's success.

[@nandreshiram2269]

Bismarck: You clean this up or else I’ll resign. Wilhelm II: Damn that’s crazy, but I don’t remember askin.

[@berbeq7343]

Bismarck: Not cool! James Bisonette: *Being a supportive father* Kelly MoneiMaker: This is unreal

[@Elitist20]

BoogillyWoogilly: Deal with it.

[@FictionHubZA]

The picture of Bismark standing on the beach goes hard for some reason.

[@Tobes90]

I just want to say that I think your content is fantastic. I have followed this channel for years and so many things I have wondered over the years are answered by you. I have never understood how people cannot be interested in history as this is what made the world we live in today. I feel more educated every time I watch one of your videos. You entertain the world with your informative and humorous take on history and I enjoy and appreciate every video. Carry on doing what you love and educating and entertaining the world, mate . May your channel be successful and carry on for years to come.

[@isidorskarin9840]

Finally! A question i actually knew i wanted answered.

[@nicolajrath1570]

Bismarck did support some reform, like creating the first welfare state (with pensions, healthcare, unemployment benefits, etc) and some basic regulations on working conditions. Though this was mostly because he wanted workers to like conservatives and the monarchy. He also wanted to prevent them from supporting socialism, and of course, wanted them to be content and not riot or start a revolution

[@AreaEightyNine]

I’m almost never not fascinated when I learn anything about Germany. It has such an intriguing history to it.

[@frederickoftheartic2209]

bruh

[@johnnotrealname8168]

Re-read this.

[@AreaEightyNine]

@@johnnotrealname8168I just now did. Kinda embarrassing

[@johnnotrealname8168]

@AreaEightyNine No worries mate. I am glad you have corrected it. I love you! Edit: Hold on a minute! I wrote my comment over a year ago!

[@humblelad]

when Bismark's eyes narrowed at the "lovely day" sign it got me

[@Sandouras]

I think Bismarck also meddled in the imperial family and tried to drive a wedge between Wilhelm and his father.

[@lollikabosso.w.n7153]

Actualy, even his mother

[@L.A.ismyname]

One moment of respect for History Matters for unironically saying out loud "Boogelie boogelie" and "McWhopper"

[@OptimusWombat]

I'd consider von Bismarck more of a "statesman" than a "politician".

[@jman2050]

What are you gonna do, fire me? - Bismarck right before being fired, probably

[@rc1982]

It reminds me a ex-girlfriend who constantly had crisis and said she wanted to break up. Completely of the blue and with no reason but her confidence problems. I had to talk her out of the idea. After some time, I was the one who wanted to break up. What did I do? I just wait for her next "I want to break up". And then this time I just said: "ok".

[@bastian182]

Unpopular opinion, but I think that it was actually the right thing to do to remove Bismarck, at this point he completely messed up the domestic policies, he made everyone from socialists to moderate conservitives angry, attacked catholics (which were about half the population espacially in the south) and minorities causing seperatists movements to gain support, almost the entire country was against him. But I do believe that Wilhelm II. was the wrong person to be in charge, he was not made for politics (espacially foreign). I wish Friedrich III. would have been healthy and acted as Kaiser, he could have transformed Germany into a proper constitutional Monarchy like Britain and would have prevented any strong men from bringing Germany into a war with other Europeans or help kickstart WW1.

[@looinrims]

Doesn’t matter who’s on the throne in Germany, Princip is still going after Ferdinand

[@scottthejatt]

In defense of Wilhelm II: The misgivings in the German Empire in the 1900s were not entirely his fault. For one, the naval arms race with Britain. This didn't start because Britain was afraid of Germany's navy, but rather its economy. There was little Wilhelm could've done to make Britain not hostile bar shooting his own nation in the foot. Next, WWI. He didn't actually want the war. He gave a blank cheque to the Austrians with the assumption they would act quickly while the assassination was recent.

[@Hand-in-Shot_Productions]

I have heard a bit about Bismarck's removal, and I knew it had something to do with conflicts with Wilhelm II. Now, I know _exactly_ why: the _Kanzellor_ and the _Kaiser_ conflicted on issues of workers' rights, their personalities clashed too much, and Wilhelm II didn't want to be seen as a figurehead! All of this led to the "Iron Chancellor" threatening to resign in protest... only for that to backfire! Thanks for the information! Also, that summary of the Anti-Socialist Law at 1:15 was amusing, as was Bismarck's vacation clothing and "okay, nice knowing you"!

[@plrc4593]

0:02 - I love those Austrian dudes aiming with a gun in their eye 😂

[@shubhanjalshukla3879]

"Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied." - Otto Von Bismarck

[@FakeAssHandsomeMcGee_]

_I make rapid progress in the art of using many words to say nothing at all._ - Otto von Bismark trying to be a politician

[@cariboubearmalachy1174]

Nice work. But I was hoping the animation of William II would show one arm shorter than the other.

[@deepowls]

I came here to make that exact quibble. I didn't even need it mentioned in the video...just a visual nod to historical accuracy and to nerds who knew that trivia. Wikipedia says the left arm ultimately was about 6" (15 cm) shorter than his right, so the fingertips should have been about even with his right wrist.

[@_LilRascal_]

The biggest _“What’s the worst that could happen?”_ in human history

[@kagishojona6106]

I must say the "soon..." accompanied with the look of suspicion always gets me.

[@michaelhoffmann2891]

There really should have been a final "what could possibly go wrong" style ending statement. With Little Willie now free to do his own thing it set in motion what in German is called the "Jahrhundertkatastrophe" - the disaster of the (20th) century.

[@handmetheparachute]

Both interesting and easy to follow! Well done.

[@ChairmanRofImao]

Nice work, but I would've liked to see Wilhelm II with a visibly shorter left arm.

[@esochibuike8477]

The topic we've all wanted 📈

[@coitze8704]

Say what you will of Wilhelm, the fact he so casually dismissed Bismarck is an undeniable sigma moment

[@KingJohnMichael]

And then he ruined Germany forever 😊

[@coitze8704]

@@KingJohnMichael Bring back my beautiful Kaiserreich 🥲

[@Lucas_07-PL]

​@@KingJohnMichael The good ending.

[@Lucas_07-PL]

​@@coitze8704 Cry about it losser.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

It helps he didn't like Bismarck at a personal level. It's basically a case of no love lost...

[@noraalmarzooqi8377]

Hello, I love your videos. I hope you make more in the future!

[@lars9925]

The German Empire was never an absolute monarchy. It was a constitutional monarchy and in some regards even more democratic than Britain.

[@robertlarson7224]

Wilhelm II really did call his bluff on that, huh? Funny how it went though, given Bismark is still remembered fondly as a mastermind diplomat while Wilhelm II is remembered for overreaching and losing WWI.

[@J-1410]

@@xunqianbaidu6917 Any German's reputation that lived before 1946 is something else in Germany.

[@MarkAnderson-ng8vc]

I mean, no, not really. In Germany at least, Bismarck is generally remembered as a villain. He, Wilhelm, even Friedrich the Great are often viewed as antecedents to Naziism. Wilhelm, by helping start WW1, and by extension causing WW2, tanked all their legacies.

[@J-1410]

@@MarkAnderson-ng8vc Wilhelm II I can see, but why Bismarck?

[@safs3098]

@MarkAnderson-ng8vc Jeez, you Germans are pathetic if you link everything to mustache man and villainize everyone especially a political mastermind like Bismark and Military Genius like Frederick the Great. Mongolia has Statues of Genghis and he made 1940s germans look like kids in a playground

[@niono1587]

@@J-1410 German Nationalism and militarism, he create one of the most powerful and arrogant nations to this day.

[@ultimatestoryteller]

Him loosing Bismarck was the worst decision he could have made.. because Bismack had a plan…… Bismarck always had a plan …

[@silkmentilidie9177]

Video idea: If Italy was disappointed with the territory they gained after WW1 why didn’t it receive more?

[@CaptainD0dge]

Bismarck had a plan. Bismarck ALWAYS had a plan. Except this time, his plan backfired.

[@Texanprime]

Please do Texas revolution please

[@Ohiotrucker1]

☝️this one

[@hornet370]

i second this one

[@TheTrex9000]

yes we need this

[@Longshanks1690]

“Workers rights: None. Foreign policy: France sucks. Economic priority: More cash.” Now this is a policy platform I can get behind!

[@dutch9357]

France certainly does suck.

[@LeRoiEnJaune]

Don't turn this comments section into the Rhineland now. XD

[@tobiwan001]

Considering Germany had been invaded and almost completely destroyed by France until Bismarck this view is somehow understandable. But Bismarck no longer wanted any further military confrontations with France and I wish this view would have prevailed.

[@redrainer]

Ah yes because no workers rights are so good. You're not the king in this scenario, you're the guy dying of tuberculosis

[@nolancer5974]

Actually under Wilhelm II workers' rights improved dramatically and standard labourers became the highest paid in all of Europe. Also the economy was also rapidly improving with the expansion of the German navy and opening more markets, so Wilhelm's economic and Domestic policies were pretty good.

[@SalamCast]

I like how you summarized the history of Bismarck, funny too!

[@bigblue6917]

Moral of the story. Nobody is indispensable

[@Protoman85]

History Matters is very kind to Wilhelm II, always showing him with 2 full-length arms

[@SheppardOfNumenor]

Wilhelm II: Alright I accept your resignation Bismarck. 5 years or so later *Wilhelm abdicates*

[@frederickoftheartic2209]

Bro, WW1 was in the 20th century.

[@novidsonmychanneljustcomme5753]

More than 28 years later, just sayin'...

[@gwho]

What an interesting case study in negotiation and leverage

[@EinMor]

Bismarck: *Threatens to resign* Kaiser Willhelm II: OK Bismarck: *Surprised Pikachu Face*

[@threefriends7523]

Great video! I also just received my peak France mug from the store and I love it!

[@ForelliBoy]

who can forget how one of Bismarck's greatest disputes with Wilhelm I was literally down to the word "of" (ie "German Emperor" as opposed to "Emperor of Germany")

[@_-.-_-_.._--.-_-_----_-.--_._-]

But it was Wilhelm I that made the dispute in the first place, and correctly so. How could he be Emperor of the Germans when Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Switzerland and other German speaking lands were not part of Germany? More so, Wilhelm still clung to the ancient idea of Holy Roman Emperors and the rules to which they ascended to the throne. If I remember correctly, he said something along the lines of: "I cannot accept a crown from the gutter" during the 1848 revolutions. Which is funny given that Napoleon said the same thing about taking power, as he did not overthrow the monarchy because he found the crown in the gutter.

[@evelynzlon9492]

An Emperor of Germany is not necessarily a German Emperor. A native of Timbuktu could theoretically be the Emperor of Germany, but unless he grants himself German citizenship he's not a German Emperor.

[@jmwh9654]

Imagine what a good world we could've had if Frederick III didn't die

[@lollikabosso.w.n7153]

I wonder that myself, and I believe we wouldve probably worship Wilhelm actualy more, since probably Wilhelm would inherit different kind of Empire to rule over

[@idkdontask7142]

Probably a pretty bad one, he would have turned Germany into another globalist Masonic run hellhole

[@_-.-_-_.._--.-_-_----_-.--_._-]

Except the nations aorund him were still as greedy, politically antagonistic and war-hawkish as in our timeline. The number of wars after Napoleon were numerous, and often smaller in scale, but it was those wars and the shifting balance of power that stoked empires and kingdoms to ever expand their reach, their power and their wealth. Europe would go to war eventually, no matter the alliances or who was in charge. It had been that way since Rome and would continue to be that way save they had the blood to spill and the swords from which to spill it. The atomic bomb and a unified diplomacy is what changed that.

[@wandregisel6385]

I think it's kind of similar to the idea that things would have been much different had Rudolf ascended to the Hapsburg throne, as he was also more on the "classical liberal" end of things and was also seen as a reformer (one of his teachers was the economist Carl Menger)

[@MarkAnderson-ng8vc]

I don't subscribe to the "it's all Wilhelm's fault" theory of WW1, so I think it's likely a major conflageration like WW1 still would've happened. What's specifically bad about Wilhelm isn't the war - lots of European monarchs lead their countries into war - but that he allowed it to happen under such unfavourable circumstances, with just Austria and Turkey as allies, and that he refused to seek negotiated peace when it was clear they weren't going to win outright.

[@m804trusty4]

Nice video cannot wait to see it

[@corymorimacori1059]

“This enraged the Kaiser, who punished Bismarck severely”

[@badboybeastykvflame9468]

I wish you'd make longer videos... kinda weird I know but I really enjoy your content and am a bit sad when it ends, feels like I barely got to watch anything. Maybe just a bit slower, or a tad more detail would make it feel just right.

[@kylewhitt587]

Wilhelm: "I'm going to be my own emperor! No hand-holding from that Bismarck guy. Now, let me just make some foreign policy decisions and..." *The Great War crashes through a window and punches Wilhelm in the face*

[@SamLemont]

Bismarck: I may as well quit... Kaiser: ok, goodbye Bismarck: *surprised pikachu face*

[@beneckendorff9256]

I honestly think it’s hilarious how many people still believe Kaiser Wilhelm ii got rid of Bismarck because of his “popularity” when it was literally quite the opposite.

[@eternalfailure4081]

Post retirement Bismark seems to have taken a "they'll come crawling back to me, any minute now...." attitude

[@nowhereman6019]

Wilhelm II: "The future is now, old man!" *Proceeds to destroy the German Empire*

[@FakeAssHandsomeMcGee_]

Yeah basically.

[@markusd338]

Was not only his fault.

[@mint8648]

Where did you learn history

[@stayunknown3421]

I wouldn't say he destroyed the empire when he simply failed to fight off several other great power at diffrent fronts until getting stabbed in the back by the revolutionaries at home.

[@JackalEtheriasu]

​@@stayunknown3421The backstab myth, You know there was a funny Austria man who loved that myth

[@zegermanscientist2667]

Legend has it that on his deathbed, Wilhelm I. said to Bismarck that "it wasn't always easy being Kaiser under you."

[@hristiqng]

You sure that Napoleon's ghost didn't whisper into Wilhelm's ear to get rid of Bismarck?

[@usptriumph]

Love your work. Have you ever considered doing a video on the Ottomans attack on Malta? Amazing story of the Knights Hospitala and defending Christianity in Europe.

[@tylerbozinovski427]

Bismarck was honestly one of the greatest 19th century leaders. Wilhelm II was also decent, but just extremely flawed in many ways, this being one of them. He could've waited until Bismarck's health was in decline to dismiss him imo.

[@R.J._Lewis]

Extra History channel on YT also did a series on Bismarck that went into more detail. It was pretty good if you're looking for more of a biographic of his life.

[@theconqueringram5295]

Basically: the first emperor was over reliant on him, the second emperor didn't last long and the third one wanted to run things his way.

[@coachgoltzbizpro23]

I mentioned this on another page, but if memory serves, Fredrick III (Wilhelm II 's dad) would have phased Bismarck out as well, as the two had clashing beliefs. While I've started to see that Willy II wasn't all bad, I still wonder how different Germany would be if Fredrick wasn't dying when he became Kaiser and had the chance to start driving them in the direction of a constitutional monarchy...

[@frederickoftheartic2209]

Imagine Modern day Germany with intact 1914 borders and a royal family thay could be more or less famous than a current British royal family. Germany would've never had colonies tho, but I think it's a good trade off for keep the godly borders.

[@kingweaslcy5067]

Even with Frederich I believe WWI would still happen, maybe later on, but it would be more catastrophic as we would be closer to modern technology.

[@bcvetkov8534]

Wilhelm II made his own legacy alright. By ending the German Empire and sending millions of men to their deaths in the first world war I hoped it was worth dismissing the man who created Germany.

[@commandergstudios4993]

So glad I subscribed,this channel is great!

[@Ren3gaid]

Sadly Friedrich III. died so quickly. He might have prevented to join WW1... :/

[@J-1410]

Keeping Bismarck until he died may have too. He was against the mess of alliances that lead to WW1.

[@Ren3gaid]

@@J-1410 The question is if Bismarck would still be alive at 1914 due to his age

[@Blankskeen]

​@@Ren3gaidIf Bismarck managed to secure League of the Three Emperors with the remaining years of his life, it may have prevented WW1 from occurring as the dispute would be among allies and not rivals.