Blood and Iron (speech)

The "Blood and Iron" speech, formally titled "Speech about the Army Bill," was a speech given by Otto von Bismarck, the Minister President of Prussia, on September 30, 1862, to the Budget Commission of the Prussian Landtag (Parliament). The speech is best known for the phrase "Eisen und Blut" (blood and iron), which Bismarck used to argue that the unification of Germany would not be achieved through diplomacy and liberalism, but through military force and industrial might.

In the context of the speech, "blood" represents war and sacrifice, while "iron" symbolizes the power of industrial production, particularly weaponry. Bismarck believed that the great questions of the time would not be resolved by parliamentary debates and resolutions, as had been the case in 1848 and 1849, but rather by a strong military capable of defending Prussia and achieving its goals.

The speech was given during a constitutional crisis in Prussia. The Landtag refused to approve the military budget proposed by King Wilhelm I, leading to a deadlock. Bismarck's speech was a blunt appeal for support, arguing that military strength was essential for Prussia's future. He asserted that Prussia must prepare for war and expansion, even if it meant defying the parliament's wishes.

While the speech was initially met with opposition, Bismarck's policies, often carried out with disregard for parliamentary procedure, ultimately proved successful in achieving German unification under Prussian leadership in 1871. The "Blood and Iron" speech became a symbol of Bismarck's Realpolitik, a political philosophy emphasizing practical considerations and power over ideology and ethics. It continues to be associated with militarism, authoritarianism, and the use of force as a primary tool of foreign policy.