Bismarck lived up to his claim that difference between nations could
only be settled through "blood and iron." The key-note of his public
policy was, to make Prussia the leading power of the Germanic States,
and to create a United Germany with the King of Prussia as German
Emperor. The first task was accomplished at Sadowa, in 1866, where
the Austrian army was defeated. The second task--Paris capitulated
according to terms dictated by him and King William was proclaimed
"German Emperor" at Versailles on January 18, 1871. In the estimate
of Europe and of the world, he then ranked as the greatest living
diplomat and statesman. As Chancellor of the German Empire, he
insisted above all that Germany should keep its place at the head of
Europe as a military power. His theory was "As we shall attack
nobody, we shall have peace, if we show ourselves so strong that
nobody will attack us." It is in this theory that many men now
repose their faith in the peace of the world.