Question

Which of the following is the term used for Bismarck’s policy?
A. Steel and Iron policy
B. Hand Shake policy
C. Blood and Iron policy
D. Golden Goose policy

Answer 1

Hint: It represents the use of violence, seen in their first objective of removing Austria from Germany’s confederation. This was an inclination towards use of the military over ordinary diplomacy from the get-go. He was a Junker or aristocrat.

Complete answer: Let us go through the options: Option A. Iron and Steel policy is not an official phrase anywhere. Hence, this is the wrong option.
Option B. Handshake policy is a non-existent concept. The term is currently being used to talk about avoidance of physical contact due to COVID-19. Therefore, this is not the answer.
Option C. The correct answer is option C, Blood and Iron policy. He said ‘Eisen und Blut’ in a speech in the Parliament when talking about defence expenditure. He accompanied this with input about how Prussia must take an approach of power instead of liberalism. He felt that this was necessary especially after the Vienna treaties for them to have a stable position in Germany.
Option D. There exists nothing of relevance called the ‘Golden Goose policy’ and is hence a redundant option.
Therefore, option c it the right answer.

Note: Otto Von Bismarck was known as the Iron Chancellor and was appointed as Prussia’s Prime Minister by King Wilhelm I in the year. The term was transposed to such because it implied that the tools of conflict were forged in iron and blood was split to succeed.