Bismarck must not be made responsible for the mistakes of his successors." (Iggers, 1968 The German Conception of History p. 261).
"The German foreign policy, post-Bismarck and pre-World War One, cannot be entirely blamed on the "edifice of government" in Prussia and Germany, but should be seen as the result of the Kaiser and other Bismarck opponents throwing off the shackles of Bismarck's policies that they felt constrained Germany from achieving its dominant role in Europe. Rather than blaming Bismarck I look at it, at least in part, as the ankle-biters of government finally taking down the Iron Chancellor and getting a chance to put forward alternative strategies for Germany" (Manzi, 2015). For many people Bismarck left his mark as a true hero who "lead his people with esteem and vigor." (www.debate.org) He is recognized in history for his leadership skills, genius planning, and mastery of provocation. His leadership and "Iron Fist" control over Germany pushed Prussian soldiers to victory on the battlefield and lead the nation to total unity and most importantly promoted peace throughout Europe.
On the other hand historians such as Steinberg, Taylor and Fischer have differing opinions of Otto Von Bismarck.
Bismarck had a goal of alienating France from all European affairs. He was strategic in his plans and knew if he remained close to Russia and Austria-Hungary he would gain their military support and ultimately be on the right track to achieve his manipulative goals towards France. Later Austria refused to lend any military help. The Alsace-Lorraine annex affected both Germany and France greatly. Germany tried to instill German Nationalism on the French residents who stayed in the area. These changes went unsupported by the French and raised economical problems such as unemployment, which resulted in harsh living conditions for the large number of unemployed citizens.
