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Bernhard von Bülow

German and Prussian politician (1849-1929) · Germany · Politicians · Died at 80

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The German chancellor who spent nine years trying to turn his country into a global power and succeeded mainly in making enemies. His bellicose Weltpolitik picked fights over Morocco, strengthened the alliance against Germany, and laid track straight toward 1914.

PoliticiansPoliticianPoliticsFoundersLawGermanyEurope19th Century

A life in dates

1929Died28 October 19291925“[It was] through the ineptitude and stupidity of Bethmann and Jagow [that Germany had] blundered into war [in den Krieg taumelten].”In their words30 April 1925Letter to Theodor Wolff (30 April 1925), quoted in John C. G. Röhl, 'Germany', in Keith Wilson (ed.), Decisions for War 1914 (1995), p. 29

1916“We ourselves brought about [this war] through the ultimatum to Serbia (which we either permitted or inspired).”In their wordsNotebook entry (1916), quoted in John C. G. Röhl, 'Germany', in Keith Wilson (ed.), Decisions for War 1914 (1995), p. 29

1914“You have given [the Austrians] carte blanche - do you realize what you have done?”In their wordsJuly 1914Remarks to Theodor Wolff, explaining what he would have said in July 1914 if he had been summoned to the Wilhelmstrasse (c. 1916), quoted

“The Auswärtiges Amt of 1914 was the incubator in which the monstrous egg of the ultimatum to Serbia was hatched.”In their wordsDenkwürdigkeiten, Vol. I (1930), p. 13, quoted in John C. G. Röhl, 'Germany', in Keith Wilson (ed.), Decisions for War 1914 (1995), p. 29

1908Knight of the SeraphimAward1899Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Netherlands LionAward1849Born3 May 1849

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Bernhard von Bülow (Hirsch)Bernhard von Bülow (Hirsch)Arpad Schmidhammer - Neujahrs-Revirement in hohen Kreisen, 1909Arpad Schmidhammer - Neujahrs-Revirement in hohen Kreisen, 1909Bernhard von Bülow 1870Bernhard von Bülow 1870Bernhard von Bülow 1875Bernhard von Bülow 1875Bernhard von Bülow by Erwin RauppBernhard von Bülow by Erwin RauppBernhard von BülowBernhard von BülowBrand, Adolf - from - Kladderadatsch (Berlin) - 27 October 1907Brand, Adolf - from - Kladderadatsch (Berlin) - 27 October 1907Unterschrift Bernhard von BülowUnterschrift Bernhard von Bülow

In their own words 5

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Bernhard von Bülow
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5 statements, newest first

  1. [It was] through the ineptitude and stupidity of Bethmann and Jagow [that Germany had] blundered into war [in den Krieg taumelten].

    Apr 30, 1925, Letter to Theodor Wolff (30 April 1925), quoted in John C. G. Röhl, 'Germany', in Keith Wilson (ed.), Decisions for War 1914 (1995), p. 29, Own words

  2. We ourselves brought about [this war] through the ultimatum to Serbia (which we either permitted or inspired).

    1916, Notebook entry (1916), quoted in John C. G. Röhl, 'Germany', in Keith Wilson (ed.), Decisions for War 1914 (1995), p. 29, Own words

  3. You have given [the Austrians] carte blanche - do you realize what you have done?

    Jul 1914, Remarks to Theodor Wolff, explaining what he would have said in July 1914 if he had been summoned to the Wilhelmstrasse (c. 1916), quoted, Own words

Wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0

Awards

Knight of the Seraphim1908
Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Netherlands Lion1899
Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Order of the Black Eagle
Order of St. Andrew
Order of the Crown
Order of the Wendish Crown
Order of Saint Hubert
Order of the Rue Crown
Order of the Elephant
Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
Honorary Doctor of the University of Königsberg
Honorary Doctor of the University of Münster
Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary

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About this person

Bernhard von Bülow was born in 1849 into Danish-German aristocracy and followed his father into diplomacy after the elder Bülow became foreign secretary under Bismarck. He climbed through posts including ambassador to Rome before Wilhelm II made him foreign secretary in 1897, then chancellor in 1900. For nine years he oversaw economic growth and scientific progress at home while pushing an expansionist foreign policy that repeatedly misfired: his challenge to France in Morocco sparked the First Moroccan Crisis and tightened the Entente Cordiale instead of breaking it. In 1908 the Daily Telegraph Affair - Wilhelm's reckless published remarks - wrecked German prestige, and Bülow took the blame for letting it happen. He lost the Kaiser's confidence and the Reichstag's support, resigned in 1909, and retired to Rome. He surfaced briefly in 1914 as interim ambassador to Italy but couldn't keep Victor Emmanuel out of the Allied camp. He died in Rome in 1929.

Country
Germany
Category
Politicians
Type
Politician
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1849 to 1929 · aged 80

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