Answer:
Under the leadership of "Iron Chancellor" Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898), who ruled first Prussia and then all of Germany effectively between 1862 and 1890, Germany became a new, united country. Bismarck, a master strategist, launched decisive wars to unite 39 separate German states under Prussian leadership with Denmark, Austria and France. While an arch-conservative, Bismarck initiated social reforms, including universal male suffrage and the first welfare establishment.