Otto von Bismarck is known as the iron chancellor who succeeded in uniting German territory into a single government. For more than 20 years, he served to help the German Empire, behind the scenes, to become a major power in Europe.
Bismarck was born in Schonhausen, Prussia, in 1815 into an aristocratic family whose members became statesmen and soldiers. He was educated in Gottingen and Berlin, studying law. After holding the post of judiciary in the Prussian government, he was elected to the Prussian parliament in 1847.
During his time as a member of parliament, Bismarck much opposed the liberal movement. He preferred to unite the German state under the Prussian flag. In addition, he is known to more often defend the privileges of the elite class society.
During the 1850s, he was given the task of being an ambassador to the Bundestag, the German council of states. He was also an ambassador for the French region. In 1862, Wilhelm I appointed Bismarck chancellor of Prussia
He was heavily involved in political wars with Austria, as Prussia's main competitor for supreme German power. When Austria and Prussia agreed to co-rule, Bismarck attempted to remove his rival from the German Confederation.