| 31. |
The Public Mood in Bavaria and Other Federal States through British Eyes (December 3, 1866)
After Prussia’s victory in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the future lay open. Annexations in the north and the forced incorporation of the Kingdom of Saxony into the North German Confederation....
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| 32. |
The U.S. Ambassador in Berlin Praises the Constitution of the North German Confederation (November 1, 1867)
This document is a transcription of a handwritten report by the U.S. ambassador to the North German Confederation, George Bancroft (1800-1891). Bancroft is better known as one of nineteenth-century....
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| 33. |
The Wife of the British Ambassador in Berlin Writes to Queen Victoria on Bismarck’s Political Omnipotence (December 27, 1880)
Lady Emily Russell was married to Britain’s ambassador to the German Empire (1871-1884), Lord Odo Russell (1829-1884). Whereas the German chancellor had been eager to rid himself of Russell’s predecessor,....
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| 34. |
Theodor Fontane Describes a Conservative Election Campaign in Rural Brandenburg (1880s)
The following excerpt is from Theodor Fontane’s novel The Stechlin [Der Stechlin], published in 1899. It is a fictional work, but the account provided here illuminates many aspects....
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| 35. |
Theodor Fontane to Georg Friedlaender on Self-Seeking Byzantinism as the Hallmark of the Age (April 3, 1887)
Bismarck’s ability to manipulate political parties and elections by conjuring up a war scare was amply demonstrated in the winter of 1886-1887 and contributed to the victory of the pro-government....
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| 36. |
Theodor Fontane, "Bismarck Is a Despot" (March 12, 1881)
Theodor Fontane (1819-1898) was a novelist and the most important Realist writer in Germany. The....
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| 37. |
Theodor Fritsch to Wilhelm Marr on New Tactics for the Struggle against the Jews (1884-85)
Theodor Fritsch (1852-1933) was a prolific writer of antisemitic tracts – often published under pseudonyms such as Thomas Frey, Tritz Thor, and F. Roderich Stoltheim. He was also an editor of antisemitic....
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| 38. |
Three Emperors’ Treaty with Austria and Russia (June 18, 1881)
In 1873 Bismarck had negotiated the Three Emperors’ League, which included Franz Joseph I of Austria, Alexander II of Russia, and Wilhelm I of Germany. These monarchs guaranteed their countries’....
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| 39. |
Triple Alliance with Austria and Italy (May 20, 1882)
The Dual Alliance of 1879 between Germany and Austria-Hungary was expanded in 1882 with the....
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| 40. |
Veterans’ Evening Discussions in a Small Pomeranian Town (1870s)
The following text is an excerpt from the autobiography of the rural laborer Franz Rehbein (1867-1909). Shortly after his death, Rehbein’s autobiography was edited and published by Paul Göhre. We....
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