A Study Of Otto Von Bismarck's Diplomatic Thought

The 30 years between 19th century 60's to 90's, Germany's situation and the policy are affecting the entire Europe continent situation, and as Germany 's leader, Bismarck has great power. No matter led Prussia to unify Germany, or tried every means to consolidate achievement after the victory, all of this demonstrated Bismarck had taken a successful diplomat and the quality as a statesman should have. Germany focuses attention on is not Prussia's liberalism, but is its might. If want to solve the contemporary major issue, can not depend on the speech and parliament's resolution -this is precisely 1848-1849 year mistake -but must depend on the iron and the blood. This famous saying reflected the military force was the cornerstone of obtaining any political achievement and the diplomatic achievement in Bismarck heart, but he had the method actually certainly not only contained a military force, but also included dazzled even the unthinkable diplomatic skill similarly to acclaim by the posterity. These, exactly include in the middle of Bismarck's diplomatic thought.Set of ideology formations inevitably have the background which it produces. Bismarck's diplomatic thought formed in 19th century intermediate stages which is Europe international relations big transformation time. The Vienna system is the most stable international system in the European history. But, maintains the power balance condition actually obviously to counteract to the time development, this had also caused system final disintegrating. In Germany's history, the fission condition has continued for more than 1,000 years. Along with the time development, around the split Germany, appeared some strength formidable country as England and France Russia and so on, these countries in order to maintain their own vested interest, extremely did not hope a unified Germany's appearance. After 19th century 50～60 age, the German's economy progresses by leaps and bounds, fast develops, specially industry and agriculture. Two city-states: Prussia and Austria are strength outstandingly, along with the economical development; the regarding of the unified German market demand is unceasingly increasing. Moreover, Germany is situated at middle Europe, survived in big powers surrounding, this was a formidable hindrance during Germany developing. After had understood these backgrounds, and then was allowed clearer to analyze the forming process of Bismarck's diplomatic thought.Bismarck had full energy.the disposition is hot tempered, filled with the patriotism thought, and craved to Germany's unified enterprise. This kind of disposition characteristic was affecting his diplomatic thought formation, but compares to Bismarck's in diplomacy experience, the influence and significance of latter was more important. During several years from 1851 to 1862, Bismarck held the post of Prussia in Frankfurt confederation parliament ministers, the short-term agent in Vienna minister business, the St. Petersburg ministers, the Paris ministers. Whenever he arrived a country, he did the detailed study of all the country's aspect such as political diplomacy history, and had formed his own diplomatic style, he protected his main intention, prevented was seen through by the person, sometimes did intentionally frankly, sometimes speaked insincerely, using opposite party's contradictory provokes the incident, has victory fall into one's lap, utilizes the skilled diplomatic skill, determines the final outcome the great distance.The connotation of a diplomatic thought is the entire wrap of a ideology essence. The connotation of Bismarck's diplomatic thought mainly may divide into five parts.First, realism principle. It includes: 1. under the realpolitik principle, in the foreign policy pays attention only is the strength. 2. The national interest is supreme, all embark from the national interest. 3. The political behavior and individual morals are two matters. 4. Bismarck advocated releases the full elastic space in the diplomacy, does not rigidly adhere to one kind of form. 5. About choosing the allied country, Bismarck made the decision completely according to be most advantageous to the Prussia national interest. 6. Discharges the disturbance of the ideology in the diplomacy, no matter how a country politics system is, so long as it is beneficial to promote the national interest, Prussia can forms an alliance with it.Second, continental policy. It including 3 contents: First, isolates France, prevents its revenge; Second, establishment 3 Leagues which central is Berlin. In this system, on the one hand wins over Russia, prevents German both sides to receive the enemy when Russia and France to be approached; on the other hand supports the Austro-Hungarian Empire, prevented the threat to Germany when Russia and France joined together, and contains Russia to Europe middle and the Balkan expansion; Third, still held the discrete manner in the colony question, wholeheartedly sought in the Europe continent hegemony.Third, diplomacy of balance of power. Germany's unification in 1871 meant the Vienna system was collapsed; the European power balance also vanishes along with it. But Bismarck advocated reconstructs the European power balance in the new power balance foundation. Implemented for this he united Austria, to Russia, England showed good will, and opposed French the policy, this kind of policy ultimate goal was prevented France and Russia formed an alliance, in order to avoid the situation which Germany survived in the France and Russia's crevice.Fourth, power politics and "self-restraint" thought. Bismarck's diplomatic thought completely is one kind of realism power politics ideology. He thought the military force in the political struggle and the diplomatic struggle is the decisive factor, thought the violence is a powerful method of getting the national objective. However he believed that, the military force use certainly must be prudent, must serve the realpolitik goal, this has also displayed Bismarck's extraordinarily "the self-control".Fifth, Before Bismarck was the Prussia prime minister, he had the extremely rich diplomatic experience and the good diplomatic training, such many years experience not only had been cast decisively on him, the farsighted strategic judgment, also caused Bismarck to form set of diplomatic skills which he was in sole possession of: wins over, the deceit, the promise, estranges and so on, he all handles skillfully.After Bismarck gradually formed a diplomatic thought in the diplomatic work, he also utilizes it to the diplomatic work, instructed the diplomatic practice operation, the two mutually to supplement, passed through in Bismarck's diplomatic profession. Approximately may divide into two parts in the practice application, unified Germany and isolated France. Regarding former Bismarck achieved it through three dynasties wars and regarding latter, mainly was through displayed his exquisite diplomacy skill, facilitated a series of contracts, got united with the European big powers, isolates France, attempted to make France can not revenge. The German history of Bismarck's time had the very big model significance to China today. This can isolate China in the diplomacy, worsening China's international environment imperceptibly, causes China rising on the basis of peace takes a step barely survive. Between the country, does not have the forever friend, only has the forever benefit, the benefit same walks in the same place, the benefit differently separates from each other, in the international affairs is so normal, if take the nationalism and the national prejudice into the foreign policy, that could form the strategic defeat. Next, in the stage of Chinese economy unprecedented prosperity development, prevent the proliferation of some extreme thought appears especially importantly, we must understand to utilize the international strategy, seeks the biggest national interest for China. Our national overall strategy must be does not rigidly adhere to any ideology and the historical conflict, with any possible ladders powerful nation of second steps establishment friendly partnership, to strive for the most advantageous international environment of the full scale development.