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1865- Second Schleswig War

Following a succession crisis, Bismarck agreed to back the under-dog successor by forcing him to promise Prussian access to the military and natural resources, as well as a Prussian tax, effectively making the province a Prussian territory. The successor couldn't refuse and won with the legendary Prussian military at his back.

He must know the extent of the military strength of his country, both actual and potential, and also the nature of that actual and potential strength. He must know these facts not only about his own country, but also neighboring countries.

1883 Sickness Insurance Law

Aristotle, Book I, IV

1884 Accident Insurance Law

1889 Old Age and Disability Insurance

Aristotle's morality on war is that it is "good" if you win it. His advice is all practical, demonstrating that the success of the state over it's enemies is what constitutes "good" for a "War and Peace" orator.

All of these policies, which we recognize as distinctly modern, originated with Bismarck- the same individual who would exalt an absolute monarchy over a democracy. He bows to the demands of the liberals because his ultimate goal is for a "happy" Germany- and he takes all actions to move towards Aristotle's definition of "good." However, he does so in complete rejection of the (effectively powerless- it's still a autocracy) Socialist party, as their popular success could result in a revolution, which loses momentum after his reforms. While he suppresses the socialists, he exalts the liberals who have felt ostracized by his warmongering. He maintains that sense of balance and moderation which is crucial to Aristotle's Rhetoric, ruling with a pragmatism that unifies the ultra-conservatives and ultra-liberals in Germany against their will.

He is effectively supporting the party which he dismissed

with vigor during his Blood and Iron speech.

Otto von Bismarck

When he came to office in 1862 as Prussia's First Chancellor, he was known amongst his peers as a ruthless, but effective, conservative.

Bismarck provoked 3 wars against Austria, Denmark, and France to increase Prussia's land. The Franco-Prussian war united the German states beneath Prussia, creating Imperial Germany- earning him the reputation of brutal militarist.

Blood and Iron and "Honor"

After the unification of Germany, to pacify Socialists, he is credited with creating the first welfare state- many of the policies he enacted were later copied wholesale by FDR during the 1930's. These went distinctly against his political credo, but entrenched the support of the new empire in it's rulers, which were fiercely autocratic- an anachronism in the 20th century.

This comes as a surprise because, up until now, Bismarck's "Honor" does not contain domestic affairs- only warlike ones. He was notorious throughout Europe for being ruthless and underhanded, leading his army to three lightning victories over neighbors over meddling affairs.

His effective consolidation of Germany into an empire seems to prove his deeply troubling speech: that Blood and Iron could unify Germany. On the contrary, his speech firmly established his character in a way that he later manipulated to serve public good- to craft a German sense of "Honor".

In his Blood and Iron speech, Bismarck engages in "Realpolitik" by underplaying the effectiveness of speechcraft, when, in reality, it was the launching point for his political career.

Imperial Germany, Bismarck, and Aristotle

We may define a good thing as that which ought to be chosen for its own sake (...) or as what produces, maintains, or entails characteristics of this kind, while preventing and destroying it's opposites.

(...)That is good the contrary of which is to the advantage of our enemies (...) the contrary of that which our enemies desire, or of that at which they rejoice, is evidently valuable.

Aristotle, Rhetoric I, VI

He was a fierce proponent of Realpolitik, placing the "good" of the German state above all morality.

Bismarck had successfully negotiated bitter treaties with Germany's neighbors while founding the empire that had been dreamed of since 1848. By creating an enemy out of Prussia's marginalized liberalism, Bismarck was able to fulfill Aristotle's "War and Peace" orator. By making enemies out of those who did not concede to his power, he crushed them with the knowledge that he would bring lasting prosperity to his unified state.

1849- King Frederick William IV rejects democracy

However, he could no longer ignore the Socialists,

who were the most powerful political party. Keeping with his policy of pragmatic politics (Realpolitik), he curbed them by instituting revolutionary social reforms for workers.

While this is clearly an about-face on his political stance, he accomplishes this all while promoting the welfare of his state and ensuring that the Kaiser reigns over the status quo.

Revolutionaries offered King William IV the German crown, but he refused, later stating:

"[I will not receive a crown] from the gutter, disgraced by the stink of revolution, defiled with dirt and mud"

There are two forms of monarchy: kingship, which is limited by certain conditions and tyranny, which is not limited by anything.

Aristotle, Rhetoric I, VIII

"(...)By general law, all those unwritten principles which are supposed to be acknowledged everywhere."

-Aristotle, Rhetoric I, X

Additional: Bismarck's only recorded voice

1862- Bismarck Delivers his "Blood and Iron" Speech to the Landtag

The political or deliberative orator's aim is utility: deliberation seeks to determine not ends but the means to ends.

Aristotle, Book I, V

"Not by speeches and decisions of majorities will the greatest problems of the time be decided - that was the mistake of 1848-49 - but by iron and blood."

Bismarck's repression of liberal elements sets a precedent for the next 9 years of his career, as he increases the "good" of Germany.

"You have to push Germans towards their happiness, even against their own will."

(Warning: Nazi Propaganda)

Bismarck calls attention to the disparity between speech and action, yet we clearly associate this speech with his brutal politicking. His "Honor" is on the line.

(Start at 15:26)

In good old colony times

When we were under the king

Three roguish chaps fell into mishaps

Because they could not sing

Chorus

Because they could not sing

Because they could not sing

Three roguish chaps

Fell into mishaps

Because they could not sing.

The first he was a miller,

And the second he was a weaver,

And the third he was a tailor,

Three roguish chaps together.

Chorus

Now the miller he stole corn

The weaver he stole yarn

And the little tailor

stole broadcloth for

To keep these rogues warm

Chorus

The miller got drown'd in his dam

The weaver got hung in his yarn

And the devlid clapp'd

his claw on the little tailor

With the broadcloth under his arm.

Chorus

Conclusion

During his reign, Bismarck was notorious throughout Europe. His strongest detractors remained in his own country and would boil up again in the years leading to World War One.

For the moment, however, Bismarck achieved a Machiavellian peace by adhering to Aristotle's standards on the role of a political "War and Peace" orator. His condemnation of speechcraft and democracy establishes a character for himself, which he builds upon to create a sense of "Honor," already established by his famous Blood and Iron speech. Bismarck demonstrates the relationship between speech and action by the careful interplay between his "Honor" and his brutal diplomacy.

Definition

Aristotle: Political Rhetoric and Ethics

First, then, we must ascertain what are the kinds of things, good or bad, about which the political orator offers counsel. For he does not deal with all things, but only with such as may or may not take place. (Actions, etc.)

is politics or diplomacy based primarily on power and on practical and material factors and considerations, rather than explicit ideological notions or moral or ethical premises. In this respect, it shares aspects of its philosophical approach with those of realism and pragmatism. The term Realpolitik is sometimes used pejoratively to imply politics that are coercive, amoral, or Machiavellian. (from Wikipedia)

Book I, IV

For all advice to do things or not to do them is concerned with happiness and with the things that make for or against it. We may define happiness as prosperity combined with virtue (...) pretty well everybody agrees.

Book I, V

Honor is the token of a man's being famous for doing good. Doing good refers either to the preservation of life and the means of life or to wealth.

Book I, V

Thesis

Aristotle's depiction of happiness as an ultimate good, while focused on the actions which the political orator is demanding, relies upon the cultivation of the individual as a cult personality- a character with a reputation that is communicated to his/her audience through the success of the actions which has previously been brought to light that he/she advocated for. While Aristotle calls for a separation between a speaker's actions and the deeds that follow, he also insists that there is a relationship between the two. To what extent does a speaker own the actions, atrocious and otherwise, that are committed in their name?

Bismarck's use of Realpolitik does not demonstrate political amorality, but instead he fulfills Aristotle's concept of a political "war and peace" orator. By placing the "good" of Germany above other moral concerns, Bismarck demonstrates that the only "good" is the pragmatic success of the attainment of happiness for his subjects, even against their will.

1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War

Bismarck edited and published a conversation between the King and the French ambassador which enflamed tensions on each side. Keeping with the French tradition of offensive held since Napoleon, France mobilized against Germany-requiring the army to cross through the non-allied German states. They quickly joined the confederation and Germany won in 6 weeks. Bismarck united Germany and made it into the German Empire.

Aristotle and "Realpolitik"

"We are too hot-blooded, we have a preference for putting on armor that is too big for our small body; and now we’re actually supposed to utilize it. Germany is not looking to Prussia’s liberalism, but to its power; Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden may indulge liberalism, and for that reason no one will assign them Prussia’s role; Prussia has to coalesce and concentrate its power for the opportune moment, which has already been missed several times(...)"

Bismarck, 1862

Bismarck accomplished what William IV had failed to do- uniting Germany without taking a "crown from the gutter." The autocracy was resolute. His Honor was assured.

1866- Austro-Prussian War

The Austrian Empire was outraged at the Second Schwelsig War, and called for a 3rd party to determine the result, which Bismarck called as a violation to the Gastein Convention. Provoked, Austria tried to rally the German states, but Bismarck's secret alliance with the Italians unified the German states under his command. The war resulted in Austria's defeat and a German confederation presided over by a confederate chamber. Austria also promised not to interfere in German affairs. Germany was a state, now, even if it was incomplete.

He must know these facts not only about his own country but also about neighboring countries, and also about countries with which war is likely, in order that peace may be maintained.

Aristotle, Rhetoric I, IV

In the clip, we see the effects of Bismarck's war, born from blood and iron. Bismarck, who has stated that he holds the king's interest highest, defies the king for the sake of Germany. "His tears are political" is perhaps the best demonstration of Bismarck adhering to Aristotle's pursuit of stately "good," as he enacts a performance for his pursuit. While Machievellian, he understands his audience and affects the necessary character.

Begins at 36:47

Revolution of 1848-1849

Austria- Considered the successor to the Holy Roman Empire broken up by Napoleon in 1806

Revolutions originated in Austria, but spread all throughout Germany.

Revolutions were based on a demand for Pan-Germanism and Liberalism:

  • Liberal Constitution
  • Body of Constituents
  • Universal Male Suffrage
  • Freedom of the Press
  • German unification

"We may describe wrong-doing as injury voluntarily

inflicted contrary to the law, "Law" is either special or general. By special law, I mean that written law which regulates the life of a particular community.

-Aristotle, Rhetoric I, X

Origin of the German Flag

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