Bismarck's Fall: The Iron Chancellor's Last Battle

The History of Germany: Kingdoms, War, and Rebuilding Europe — Fexingo History · Jul 2, 2026 · 8m · transcript

In 1890, Otto von Bismarck—the Iron Chancellor who unified Germany and dominated European politics for nearly three decades—was forced to resign by a young Kaiser determined to rule in his own right. This episode explores the clash between Bismarck and Wilhelm II, the political maneuvers that led to the chancellor's dismissal, and the profound consequences for Germany and the world. We delve into the anti-socialist laws, the growing labor movement, the Kaiser's 'New Course,' and the cracks in the fabric of the German Empire that Bismarck left behind. What happens when the…