Question

Did the war have a consequence that Bismarck intended?

A) Yes, the war had consequences that Bismarck intended.
B) No, the war did not have consequences that Bismarck intended.
C) The consequences of the war were unintended by Bismarck.
D) Bismarck's intentions regarding the war are unclear.

Answer 1

The war had consequences that Bismarck intended, such as the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership and the exclusion of Austria from German affairs. His Realpolitik strategy led to territorial gains and increased Prussian power, however, it also planted seeds of resentment that contributed to the causes of World War I.

Step-by-step explanation:

The war did have consequences that Otto von Bismarck intended. Bismarck, through clever Realpolitik and calculated conflicts with Austria and France, aimed to unify Germany under Prussian dominance. By causing Austria and then France to declare war, he succeeded in his immediate goals: excluding Austria from German affairs, gaining territory from Denmark, and taking Alsace-Lorraine from France, thus fortifying Prussia's strength and eventually leading to a unified Germany with Prussia at its core.

The Franco-Prussian War indeed accomplished Bismarck's short-term goals, though the long-term consequences included widespread resentment among the defeated nations, particularly France, which harbored a desire for revenge - an emotion that would later contribute to the causes of World War I.