Bismarck
...ate. His first political involvement came in 1847 when he became an “ultraconservative champion of Junker interests” as a representative to the Prussian Diet (Parliament). The following year, liberal revolutions swept Europe. Bismarck’s reactions to these events provide an insight into his personality and beliefs. Despite his opposition to the revolutionaries, in his first speech he said “the past is buried . . . no human power can bring it back to life.” This statement reveals Bismarck’s political realism, and the pragmatism which was to last throughout his life. In this case, despite his conservatism he supported the creation of a liberal Parliament. As well, the 1848 revolutions also brought up the issue of German nationalism. Bismarck showed clearly he was a Prussian patriot rather than a German nationalist, stating “Prussian we are and Prussian we wish to remain.” This too has later significance. In April 1851, Bismarck was appointed the Prussian envoy to the German Bund. In this position he had very little power and most of his statement throughout the 1850s were ignored. He became a dedicated opponent of Austria, but his ideas for increasing Prussia’s influence fell on deaf ears. In 1858, the King of Prussia went mad and his brother, William, acted as Regent before taking over in 1861. William wanted to co-operate with the liberals, and this was at odds with Bismarck, who was made an ambas...