Bismarck, Otto von: End of the Era

The Bismarckian era closed with the death of Emperor Frederick III. A struggle for supremacy between Bismarck and William II developed immediately upon that emperor's accession in 1888 and ended with Bismarck's dismissal in 1890. Bismarck, created prince (Fürst) after the Franco-Prussian War, was now made duke (Herzog) of Lauenburg. He retired and spent the remainder of his life in oral and written criticism of the emperor and his ministers and in defense of his own policies.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• End of the Era
• Domestic Policies
• Alignments and Alliances
• Wars with Austria and France
• Early Life and Career
• Bibliography

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