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This political history of Germany assesses Bismarck's role in the events which paved the way for the catastrophes of the twentieth century, showing how Bismarck first established the association between German nationalism, Prussian militarism, and Hohenzollern authoritarianism. The author is completing a second volume, "The Period of Consolidation, 1871-1890." Volume I has been awarded the McKnight Foundation Humanities Award.
The historical significance of the period 1864-1870, epitomized by the establishment of Prussian hegemony in Gennany, has been per petuated in numerous studies. The diplomatic history of these decisive years has proven especially fascinating, for the fundamental changes in Gennany's political frame had a momentous influence upon the course of European history. The war of 1866 destroyed the last vestiges of Austrian supremacy in Gennany and inaugurated a reorganization under Prussian domination. The international repercussions of this transfonnation in the heart of Europe are fully reflected in the diplo macy of the period, in view of the disruptive effect upon the existing power equilibrium....
It is known that the plan to elect a Prussian prince to the Spanish throne was the proximate, and Bismarck’s “Ems telegram” an immediate cause of the war of 1870. But much has remained obscure about the roles of the principal figures. Lawrence Steefel fills in the lacunae with secret German documents available only after World War II, including the correspondence between Bismarck and Marshal Prim of Spain. It becomes clear that Bismarck did not initiate the Hohenzollern candidacy and that one of his most important reasons for adopting it was his fear of an anti-Prussian coalition of Catholic powers.