Bismarck's handling on domestic policy from 1871-1890

'Inept and Unsuccessful'. How Valid is this Comment on Bismarck's handling of Domestic Policy from 1871-90? From her formal unification at Versailles in 1871, Bismarck, the first German Chancellor, took control of his new German State. Yet twenty years later, the 'Bismarckian era' in German history had ended, culminating in Bismarck's departure. With unification complete at least geographically, by 1871, Bismarck's next challenge lay with domestic policy and the running of the new German constitution. In the …

…European power during the era may well be a reflection of Bismarck's work, however domestically Bismarck failed to control a political arena or state that was modernising into 'Weltpolitik', away from his 'Realpolitik'. The suggested comment can hence be claimed to be valid in some areas as far as Bismarck's success was concerned; yet claims that he was inept are slightly 'off the mark' in view of his reasons and the state of the nation.