BISMARCK
Bismarck lived up to his claim that difference between nations could only be settled through "blood and iron." The key-note of his public policy was, to make Prussia the leading power of the Germanic States, and to create a United Germany with the King of Prussia as German Emperor. The first task was accomplished at Sadowa, in 1866, where the Austrian army was defeated. The second task—Paris capitulated according to terms dictated by him and King William was proclaimed "German Emperor" at Versailles on January 18, 1871. In the estimate of Europe and of the world, he then ranked as the greatest living diplomat and statesman. As Chancellor of the German Empire, he insisted above all that Germany should keep its place at the head of Europe as a military power. His theory was "As we shall attack nobody, we shall have peace, if we show ourselves so strong that nobody will attack us." It is in this theory that many men now repose their faith in the peace of the world.