Age of Bismarck #3: The Bismarck Madness (Patreon)

[PATRONS]

As 1865 turned to 1866, Bismarck continued to position Prussia as the arch antagonist of Austria. Just as remarkable as the way he prepared the ground for the showdown between the German 'Brothers', Bismarck also made dramatic progress persuading the Prussian government, and King Wilhelm, that Austria had to be met on the battlefield. No ghosts from his past could persuade him otherwise - in Bismarck's mind, the time had come to strike, and he would not be deterred, no matter the risks involved. Only Bismarck seemed to realise that Austria was far more powerful on paper than it was in reality. Very soon, he would test this theory with all the powers at his disposal, yet for the moment, an uneasy peace prevailed.