On this day, September 24, 1862, Prussia's king, Wilhelm I, appointed Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) as the prime-minister. Later, he was to become the minister of foreign policy. Bismarck made his historic speech, where he said, "The grand questions of the century are decided by iron and blood, not by speeches or majority votes in the Parliament." He was also known for saying, "States do not have friends, states have interests."
Otto von Bismarck is known as one of the founders of modern realpolitik politics, which always propagates superiority of national interests over international obligations or human rights. His legacy is also that of unification of Germany... His political ideology was a precursor of Nazism and Stalinism. Henry Kissinger was one of his more moderate followers... Beginning from 9/11 the US foreign policy is also very Bismarckian...
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