Otto von Bismarck's Milestones
Birth
Otto von Bismarck was born in Schönhausen, Prussia, to Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand von Bismarck and Wilhelmine Mencken.
Attended University of Göttingen
Studied law at the University of Göttingen.
Entered Prussian civil service
Worked as a junior administrative official in the Prussian civil service.
Managed family estates
Managed the Bismarck family estates in Pomerania and Altmark.
Elected to Prussian Diet
Elected to the Prussian Diet (parliament), beginning his political career.
Married Johanna von Puttkamer
Married Johanna von Puttkamer.
Appointed Prussian ambassador
Served as Prussian ambassador to the German Confederation, Russia, and France.
Appointed Minister President
Appointed Minister President of Prussia by King Wilhelm I.
Austro-Prussian War
Led Prussia to victory in the Austro-Prussian War, excluding Austria from German affairs.
North German Confederation
Became Chancellor of the North German Confederation, a precursor to the German Empire.
Franco-Prussian War
Engineered and led Prussia to victory in the Franco-Prussian War, paving the way for German unification.
Kulturkampf
Launched the Kulturkampf, a series of policies to reduce Catholic Church influence in Germany.
German Empire proclaimed
Proclaimed the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, becoming its first Chancellor.
Implemented social reforms
Introduced pioneering social welfare legislation, including health, accident, and old-age insurance.
Dismissed as Chancellor
Dismissed as Chancellor by Kaiser Wilhelm II, ending his political career.
Death
Otto von Bismarck died at his estate in Friedrichsruh, Germany.