Option A: Nineteenth century topic HOW IMPORTANT WAS KING WILLIAM I OF PRUSSIA? Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions. Background Information In 1849 the future William I had written, 'It is clear from our whole history that Prussia is destined to be at the head of Germany, but the question is – when and how?' William became King of Prussia in 1861, and in 1871 he fulfilled his prophecy by becoming Emperor of a united Germany. How far was this due to Bismarck, his Minister-President, and how far did William have any importance in this period? The usual story told by historians is that Bismarck decided policy and William simply agreed. His contemporaries describe him as polite, gentlemanly and considerate but having little influence over policy. Was it as simple as that? Did William have much significance? SOURCE A Bismarck gained and held power by the brilliance of his personality, but he always depended on the goodwill of his King. If William I had decided to dismiss Bismarck after the 'blood and iron' speech, which most educated people in Germany condemned, Bismarck would have disappeared from history. During his years in power Bismarck forced the King again and again by temper tantrums and threats to do things William disliked. Bismarck's career rested on his personal relations with the King. The desperate struggle to control an emotional old man who actually held power wore Bismarck's nerves to shreds and his rages arose from this powerlessness. The King would not always give in to Bismarck's demands. He felt, as a decent man, real loyalty to his ministers and could not allow them to be brutally discarded by Bismarck. The King's kindness for others enraged Bismarck. If the King wrote or spoke sharply to him, Bismarck collapsed into bed and was sometimes ill for weeks. William could not have shown Bismarck more love and attention, yet Bismarck had the nerve to complain of the horrible conduct of his King. From a history book published in 2011. SOURCE В It was not an easy task to persuade the King to stay away from Frankfurt. I thought I had persuaded my master, but he did not find it easy to resist. He thought over and over again, 'Thirty reigning princes!' Besides, he loved and honoured the King of Saxony who had invited him. Not until midnight did I succeed in obtaining the King's refusal to the invitation. When I left my master, both he and I were ill and exhausted by the nervous tension of the situation. On the return journey to Berlin, the King passed so near to Frankfurt that his decision not to take part became known to everyone. The majority of the princes felt uncomfortable when they thought of Austria's scheme of reform, which, if Prussia stayed away, left them standing alone with Austria in a position where they got no protection from the rivalry of the two Great Powers. From Bismarck's memoirs written in his retirement in the 1890s. In 1863 Austria had called a conference of German Princes in Frankfurt, with the aim of reforming the German Confederation in a way that would increase Austria's power in Germany. SOURCE C I declared it to be my belief that peace must be concluded on the Austrian terms but remained alone in my opinion; the King supported the military majority. My nerves could not stand the strain and I got up, walked into my bedchamber and was overcome with tears. I set out the next day to explain to the King and said we had to avoid wounding Austria too severely to avoid leaving any desire for revenge. To this the King raised no objection but said the actual peace terms were inadequate and that Austria could not be allowed to escape unpunished. Under the impression that my opinion was rejected, I left the room. I then met the Crown Prince who said to me, 'If you are persuaded that peace must now be concluded, I am ready to defend your opinion with my father.' He returned after half an hour with the words, 'My father has consented.' The main memory I have is of the violent agitation into which I had been obliged to put my master in order to obtain what I considered essential to the interests of the country. Bismarck's account of meetings with King William, his chief ministers and senior generals in July 1866 about whether to make peace with Austria. William wanted to march on Vienna. SOURCE D Bismarck gave hints that the war must decisively achieve the rounding off of Prussian territory. That caused the Crown Prince to ask the question whether there was an intention to annex territory. The King answered angrily that there is no question of war yet and still less of deposing German princes. He wants peace. Bismarck was by far the clearest and sharpest. I became convinced that he had brought about the whole situation in order to encourage the King to be more warlike. As we came out the Crown Prince said, 'The King will not; Bismarck will.' An account by a senior army officer, who served under the Crown Prince, of the Grand War Council in May 1866. The King, Bismarck, senior politicians and army officers were present. SOURCE E [Figure E.1] A French cartoon published in early 1867. It is entitled ‘The Giant German Ogre'. It shows William and some small figures which represent the princes of North Germany. SOURCE F [Figure F.1] A cartoon published in an American magazine, 7 January 1871. Bismarck is in the background. William's Prussian crown lies in the waste bin. Now answer all the following questions. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources which you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.