| Cabinet of Otto von Bismarck | |
|---|---|
| People and organisations | |
| History | |
.svg){kind=small} 1st Cabinet of the German Empire | |
| 1871 – 1890 | |
Otto von Bismarck | |
| Date formed | 21 March 1871 |
| Date dissolved | 20 March 1890 (18 years, 11 months, 3 weeks and 6 days) |
| Emperor | Wilhelm I Friedrich III Wilhelm II |
| Chancellor | Otto von Bismarck |
| Vice Chancellor | Otto zu Stolberg-Wernigerode (until 20 June 1881) Karl Heinrich von Boetticher (from 20 June 1881) |
| Member parties | Independent Supported by: National Liberal Party (until 1878; from 1884) Centre Party (1878-1884) German Progress Party (until 1878) German Conservative Party (from 1878) Free Conservative Party Imperial Liberal Party |
| Status in legislature | Majority |
| Elections | 1871 federal election 1874 federal election 1877 federal election 1878 federal election 1881 federal election 1884 federal election 1887 federal election |
| Predecessor | n/a |
| Successor | Caprivi cabinet |
The Cabinet of Otto von Bismarck refers to the government led by Otto von Bismarck, who served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire from 1871 to 1890. Bismarck, often called the "Iron Chancellor," played a crucial role in the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire under Prussian leadership. His cabinet was characterized by a strong, centralized government, strategic diplomacy, and a focus on maintaining Germany’s dominance in European affairs.
Bismarck’s administration was marked by key domestic and foreign policies, including the Kulturkampf (a conflict with the Catholic Church), the introduction of the world’s first social welfare programs, and a complex system of alliances designed to maintain peace and prevent war in Europe. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the political landscape of Germany and Europe in the late 19th century, setting the stage for future geopolitical developments. However, his tenure ended in 1890 when he was dismissed by Emperor Wilhelm II, leading to a shift in Germany’s political direction.
Composition
| Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reich Chancellor | Otto von Bismarck | 21 March 1871 | 20 March 1890 | Independent | |
| Vice Chancellor (from 17 March 1878) | Otto Graf zu Stolberg-Wernigerode | 1 June 1878 | 20 June 1881 | FKP | |
| Karl Heinrich von Boetticher | 20 June 1881 | 1 July 1897 | FKP | ||
| State Secretary for Foreign Affairs | Hermann von Thile | 21 March 1871 | 30 September 1872 | Independent | |
| Hermann Ludwig von Balan | 3 October 1872 | 9 October 1873 | Independent | ||
| Bernhard Ernst von Bülow | 9 October 1872 | 20 October 1879 | Independent | ||
| Joseph Maria von Radowitz (Acting) | 6 November 1879 | 17 April 1880 | Independent | ||
| Chlodwig zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst (Acting) | 20 April 1880 | 1 September 1880 | Independent | ||
| Friedrich zu Limburg-Stirum (Acting) | 1 September 1880 | 25 June 1881 | DKP | ||
| Clemens Busch (Acting) | 25 June 1881 | 16 July 1881 | Independent | ||
| Paul von Hatzfeldt | 16 July 1881 | 24 October 1885 | Independent | ||
| Herbert von Bismarck | 18 May 1886 | 20 March 1890 | Independent | ||
| State Secretary for the Interior (from 21 December 1879) | Karl von Hofmann | 21 December 1879 | 31 August 1880 | Independent | |
| Karl Heinrich von Boetticher | 1 September 1880 | 20 March 1890 | FKP | ||
| State Secretary for Justice (from 1 January 1877) | Heinrich von Friedberg | 21 December 1876 | 30 October 1879 | Independent | |
| Hermann von Schelling | 19 November 1879 | 31 January 1889 | Independent | ||
| Otto von Oehlschläger | 19 February 1889 | 20 March 1890 | Independent | ||
| State Secretary for the Navy | Karl Eduard Heusner | 1 April 1889 | 20 March 1890 | Independent | |
| State Secretary for the Post (from 1880) | Heinrich von Stephan | 23 February 1880 | 20 March 1890 | Independent | |
| State Secretary for the Treasury (from 1880) | Adolf von Scholz | 1880 | July 1882 | DKP | |
| Franz Emil Emanuel von Burchard | 1882 | November 1886 | Independent | ||
| Karl Rudolf Jacobi | 1886 | 14 September 1888 | Independent | ||
| Helmuth von Maltzahn | 1888 | 20 March 1890 | DKP | ||
Sources
Regenten und Regierungen der Welt, Vol. 2,3. Neueste Zeit: 1492–1917, ed. by B. Spuler; 2nd edition, Würzburg, Ploetz, 1962.