ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts of key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book focuses on Bismarck's monarchism can perhaps be seen as the fatal flaw in his political thinking, the one area where his great intellect deserted him. If Bismarck concentrated power in his own hands, he also simultaneously concentrated power in the hands of the king and later Kaiser. One of the most problematical areas of his legacy is how he increased the powers of the Prussian military monarchy, through the prosecution of three successful wars, the solution to the constitutional conflict and the provisions of the Reich constitution. He also safeguarded the position of a personal army that was effectively removed from political control. Bismarck perpetuated the myth of divine kingship and successfully deflected criticism of his rule in the executive and in the parliaments by recourse to a language of monarchism.
