Leaving aside for the moment his role in colonialism, because only white people matter to WW1 and 2 apparently and fighting over African and Asian colonies had nothing to do with it, he hated democracy and directly enabled the German obsession with totalitarianism. Obviously the Emperors had their own hands in that, but let’s be real, they were idiots.
And, honestly, it’s not real complicated to note that without Germany and the network of alliances he helped create you don’t get two world wars started by Germany.
Now, sure, as a smart person he knew he had to maintain the alliance with Russia to have a balance of power, unlike Wilhelm Jr, but his obsession with top down control, based on his own competence, is what put the reins of ultimate power into the hands of two blithering, monstrous and monstrously arrogant morons.
Hmm… I see where you’re coming from. But it is reductionist to say Bismarck’s idea of creating a complex web of alliances to prevent another war ironically led to the two world wars. Remember that this complex system of alliance is meant to deter one empire declaring war to another. It was 19th century’s deterrence model as is nuclear deterrence in 20th century to today. These two deterrence models are meant to… well… deter. Many systems designed are meant to work-- until it doesn’t. The British intelligence at the time (incorrectly) predicted that the assassination of Franz Ferdinand would not lead to a major war.
Leaving aside for the moment his role in colonialism, because only white people matter to WW1 and 2 apparently and fighting over African and Asian colonies had nothing to do with it, he hated democracy and directly enabled the German obsession with totalitarianism. Obviously the Emperors had their own hands in that, but let’s be real, they were idiots.
And, honestly, it’s not real complicated to note that without Germany and the network of alliances he helped create you don’t get two world wars started by Germany.
Now, sure, as a smart person he knew he had to maintain the alliance with Russia to have a balance of power, unlike Wilhelm Jr, but his obsession with top down control, based on his own competence, is what put the reins of ultimate power into the hands of two blithering, monstrous and monstrously arrogant morons.
Hmm… I see where you’re coming from. But it is reductionist to say Bismarck’s idea of creating a complex web of alliances to prevent another war ironically led to the two world wars. Remember that this complex system of alliance is meant to deter one empire declaring war to another. It was 19th century’s deterrence model as is nuclear deterrence in 20th century to today. These two deterrence models are meant to… well… deter. Many systems designed are meant to work-- until it doesn’t. The British intelligence at the time (incorrectly) predicted that the assassination of Franz Ferdinand would not lead to a major war.