Word: bismarckers
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...order." It may chafe all concerned, but irritation is acceptable if no one's survival is threatened. In his history of the post-Napoleonic period, A World Restored, and in writing of the later fusion of German states, Kissinger displayed admiration for Metternich of Austria, Castlereagh of Britain and Bismarck of Prussia...
...balancing the powers of their day. Says Kissinger: "An international order, the basic arrangements of which are accepted by all the major powers, may be called 'legitimate.' " The world conceived in the Congress of Vienna ultimately crumbled, but only after a century of relative peace. The Germany constructed by Bismarck blundered into a fate of blood and new division, but only after the Iron Chancellor lost power. And the failures give Kissinger another lesson to teach Americans: great states disintegrate, and so can theirs. "Nothing is more difficult for Americans to understand than the possibility of tragedy...
They were known as Schlotbarone, smokestack barons of the Ruhr. Bismarck treasured them, and used their shells to break the power of France in Europe. The Kaiser presided over their marriage plans, and misused their steel and submarines to lose the first World War. Hitler was awed by them. Deep in World War II, he took time out to write a special law (the Lex Krupp) to keep their family fortune intact. In the minds of many men in many lands, the Krupp name became synonymous with the cold pursuit of cash, steel and power, indeed, with the shame...
Once when old Otto von Bismarck's demands had set much of Europe atremble, he was asked if he wanted war. He replied, "Certainly not. What I want is victory." His remark reflected the attitude of countless uncomplicated ages when men waged their wars with relatively simple weapons for a single purpose. Using every available resource, adversaries simply beat at each other until one side ultimately collapsed and surrendered...
...tour begins in the courtyard with the gilded and tasseled coach that served Ludwig at his coronation in 1864, when he was, in Bismarck's words, a "beautiful girl" of 18. Inside, the displays begin with stage models for Wagner's operas. From the age of twelve, Ludwig was enthralled by the work of the composer, whose fascination with medieval legend he shared. Upon his accession to the throne, he summoned Wagner from Stuttgart, installed him in a Munich suburban house, bankrolled the first productions of his most famous operas. Atop the Munich Residence he built a huge...