Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire

James Headlam-Morley (1863 - 1929)

"It is hard to be an Emperor under such a Chancellor." lamented Wilhelm I, the first emperor of the German Empire. Otto von Bismarck is probably the most fascinating or the most boring statesman throughout German history depending on one's perspective. He led 3 victorious wars (against Denmark, Austria and France) and achieved unification of Germany. However, he tried very hard to avoid unnecessary wars. His vision of European political system led to more than 40 years' peace and prosperity of Europe or to World War I, also depending on one's perspective. - Summary by SS Kim

Genre(s): Biography & Autobiography, History

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Chapter 1. Birth and Parentage S S Kim
00:24:44
Play 02 Chapter 2. Early Life, 1821-1847 S S Kim
00:37:29
Play 03 Chapter 3. The Revolution, 1847-1852, Part 1 S S Kim
00:34:52
Play 04 Chapter 3. The Revolution, 1847-1852, Part 2 S S Kim
00:33:38
Play 05 Chapter 4. The German Problem, 1849-1852 S S Kim
00:29:41
Play 06 Chapter 5. Frankfort, 1851-1857, Part 1 S S Kim
00:29:48
Play 07 Chapter 5. Frankfort, 1851-1857, Part 2 S S Kim
00:26:23
Play 08 Chapter 5. Frankfort, 1851-1857, Part 3 S S Kim
00:23:35
Play 09 Chapter 6. St. Petersburg and Paris, 1858-1862, Part 1 S S Kim
00:34:25
Play 10 Chapter 6. St. Petersburg and Paris, 1858-1862, Part 2 S S Kim
00:31:06
Play 11 Chapter 7. The Conflict, 1862-1863, Part 1 S S Kim
00:27:09
Play 12 Chapter 7. The Conflict, 1862-1863, Part 2 S S Kim
00:28:59
Play 13 Chapter 8. Schleswig-Holstein, 1863-1864, Part 1 S S Kim
00:33:41
Play 14 Chapter 8. Schleswig-Holstein, 1863-1864, Part 2 S S Kim
00:31:23
Play 15 Chapter 9. The Treaty of Gastein, 1864-1865 S S Kim
00:26:43
Play 16 Chapter 10. Outbreak of War with Austria, 1865-1866 S S Kim
00:37:53
Play 17 Chapter 11. The Conquest of Germany, 1866, Part 1 S S Kim
00:30:31
Play 18 Chapter 11. The Conquest of Germany, 1866, Part 2 S S Kim
00:32:31
Play 19 Chapter 12. The Formation of the Northern German Confederation, 1866-1867, Part 1 S S Kim
00:26:09
Play 20 Chapter 12. The Formation of the Northern German Confederation, 1866-1867, Part 2 S S Kim
00:22:15
Play 21 Chapter 13. The Outbreak of War with France, 1867-1870, Part 1 S S Kim
00:31:06
Play 22 Chapter 13. The Outbreak of War with France, 1867-1870, Part 2 S S Kim
00:31:37
Play 23 Chapter 14. The War with France and Foundation of the Empire, 1870-1871, Part 1 S S Kim
00:32:14
Play 24 Chapter 14. The War with France and Foundation of the Empire, 1870-1871, Part 2 S S Kim
00:32:08
Play 25 Chapter 15. The New Empire, 1871-1878, Part 1 S S Kim
00:27:27
Play 26 Chapter 15. The New Empire, 1871-1878, Part 2 S S Kim
00:30:06
Play 27 Chapter 16. The Triple Alliance and Economic Reform, 1878-1887, Part 1 S S Kim
00:35:40
Play 28 Chapter 16. The Triple Alliance and Economic Reform, 1878-1887, Part 2 S S Kim
00:34:17
Play 29 Chapter 17. Retirement and Death, 1887-1898, Part 1 S S Kim
00:21:36
Play 30 Chapter 17. Retirement and Death, 1887-1898, Part 2 S S Kim
00:24:54