7 Otto von Bismarck 7

Bismarck had not counted on the emergence of new

parties such as the Catholic Centre or the Social

Democratic Party, both of whom began participating in

imperial and Prussian elections in the early 1870s. Along

with the left liberal Progressive Party, he labeled them

all enemies of the empire (Reichsfeinde) and worked to halt

the spread of social democracy.

In 1878–79 Bismarck initiated a significant change in

economic policy, which coincided with a new alliance with

the conservative parties at the expense of the liberals. Part

of Bismarck’s strategy to destroy social democracy was the

introduction of social legislation to woo the workers away

from political radicalism. During the 1880s, accident and

old-age insurance as well as a form of socialized medicine

were introduced and implemented by the government.

But Bismarck did not succeed, and support for the Social

Democrats increased with each election.

In 1888 William I was succeeded by his son Frederick

III, a sick man who ruled only three months, and Frederick’s

son became Kaiser William II. Because William II wanted

sole power, he forced Bismarck to resign in 1890. Bismarck

retired to his estate at Friedrichsruh, where he resided

until his death.

During Bismarck’s rule, the map of Europe changed

immeasurably. However, the German Empire, his greatest

achievement, survived him by only 20 years because he

had failed to create an internally unified people.

Frederick Douglass

(b. February 1818?, Tuckahoe, Md., U.S.—d. Feb. 20, 1895,

Washington, D.C.)

F

rederick Douglass was one of the most eminent

human-rights leaders of the 19th century. His oratori-

cal and literary brilliance thrust him into the forefront of