Bismarck

choi

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Geoffrey Wawro, The Shrewdest of the Shrewd; Bismarck made Germany into Europe's most powerful country—and permanently poisoned its politics. Walll STreet Journal, Apr 9, 2011.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704013604576247050771310390.html?mod=WSJ_Books_LS_Books_5
(book review on Jonathan Steinberg, Bismarck: A Life. Oxford Univ Press, 2011)

Note:
(a) Otto von Bismarck
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_von_Bismarck
(1815-1898)
(b) Minister President of Prussia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minister_President_of_Prussia
(The office of Minister President (German: Ministerpräsident) or Prime Minister of Prussia existed in one form or another from 1702 until the dissolution of Prussia in 1947)
(c) bestride (vt):
"1: to ride, sit, or stand astride : STRADDLE
2: to tower over : dominate <the bloated bureaucracy that bestrides us all — Edward Ney>"

All definitions are from www.m-w.com.
(d)
(i) realpolitik (n; German, from real actual + Politik politics): "politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives"

(ii) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realpolitik
('Realpolitik' was coined by Ludwig von Rochau a German writer and politician in the 19th century; German advocate of “Realpolitik” was Otto von Bismarck)
(e) frump (n; probably from frumple to wrinkle): "a dowdy unattractive girl or woman"
(f) adjutant (n; Latin adjutare to help): "one who helps : ASSISTANT"
(g) Wilhelm II, German Emperor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_II,_German_Emperor
(1859-1941; reign 1888-1918; grandson of Wilhelm I and son of Frederick III; he dismissed Chancellor, Prince Otto von Bismarck in 1890 and launched Germany on a bellicose "New Course" in foreign affairs, culminating in his support for Austria in the crisis of summer 1914 that caused World War I)

* The English name William is derived from German Wilhelm (wil will, desire + helm helmet, protection).
* Frederick III, German Emperor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_III,_German_Emperor
(1831-1888; reign Mar 9-June 15, 1888)

Quote: "On William's death at the age of 90 on 9 March 1888, the throne passed to Frederick, who had by then been Crown Prince for 27 years. Frederick was suffering from cancer of the larynx when he died on 15 June 1888, aged 56, following unsuccessful medical treatments for his condition.

(h) G&ouml;ttingen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6ttingen
(The University of G&ouml;ttingen was founded in 1737 by George II August, who was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and prince-elector of Hanover)

* How did George II of Great Britain (whose name was George August in English or Georg Augustus in German) come to be British King?

Thanks to his father,
George I of Great Britain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_I_of_Great_Britain

Quote: "George was born in Hanover, in what is now Germany * * * At the age of 54, after the death of Queen Anne of Great Britain, George ascended the British throne as the first monarch of the House of Hanover. Although over fifty Catholics bore closer blood relationships to Anne, the Act of Settlement 1701 prohibited Catholics from inheriting the British throne. George, however, was Anne's closest living Protestant relative. In reaction, the Jacobites attempted to depose George and replace him with Anne's Catholic half-brother, James Francis Edward Stuart, but their attempts failed.

* George III, grandson of George I and son of George II, presided over American Revolution.

(i) martinet (n; Jean Martinet, 17th century French army): "a strict disciplinarian"

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