A. O. Meyer, Bismarck's Glaube im Spiegel der "Loosungen und Lehrtexte," in Münchener Historische Abhandlungen, Erste Reihe, I

(Munich, 1933), 9-10.

Bismarck employed many methods to bring about the unification of Germany. He successfully implemented economic and foreign policy, used political manipulation to his advantage, particularly propaganda, searched for the peaceful option by exploring diplomatic avenues and, when all else failed, or if it was easier, pursued a hard line of warfare. Reading about what led to German unification, one is led to presume that it all fell neatly into place with Bismarck as the "puppet master, pulling the diplomatic strings." However, some historians, such as A.J.P Taylor, have suggested that Bismarck...