1-152-693 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Otto von Bismarck German statesman, when Conservative Deputy and Inspector of Dykes, 1867. Cartoon published in La Lune (Paris, 1867) showing Bismarck (1815-1904 as a cat with a mousetrap. Bismarck's provocation of the French to declare war on Prussia in 1870 was crucial in bringing about the unification of Germany. Other independent German states sided with Prussia in the face of what they saw as French aggression. France was defeated, and in 1871 the German Empire was proclaimed, with Bismarck as Chancellor.