Bernhard von Bulow
Bernhard von Bülow – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Bernhard von Bülow (1849–1929) was a German aristocrat, diplomat, and statesman who served as Foreign Minister and Chancellor of the German Empire. This article provides a full biography, examines his policies, and features his most notable quotations.
Introduction
Bernhard Heinrich Karl Martin von Bülow, later raised to the rank of Fürst (Prince) von Bülow, was one of the central figures of German politics in the late Wilhelminian era. Born May 3, 1849, and died October 28, 1929, he served as Foreign Secretary (1897–1900) and then as Chancellor of the German Empire (1900–1909).
As Chancellor, he championed Weltpolitik (world policy), a more assertive foreign policy for Germany, aiming to secure its place among the great powers. His tenure is significant for the shift in German diplomacy, naval expansion, colonial ambitions, and the domestic reforms under his government.
Yet his legacy is contested: his diplomacy helped propel Germany into tensions with Britain and France, contributing to the diplomatic environment preceding World War I.
Early Life and Family
Bernhard von Bülow was born in Klein Flottbek, Duchy of Holstein (now a part of Hamburg), on May 3, 1849. Bernhard Ernst von Bülow, who had earlier served as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs under Bismarck.
His family belonged to an old Mecklenburg-Schwerin aristocratic line (von Bülow), with a tradition of service in state and diplomatic affairs.
In his youth, Bülow’s upbringing was multilingual and cultured. He learned English and French early, and attended schools in various German states.
Youth, Education, and Early Career
Military Service and Studies
During the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), Bülow volunteered and served as a lance corporal in the Hussar regiment, even engaging in frontline combat.
After the war, he pursued legal studies: he studied law at the University of Greifswald, and additional studies in Berlin, Leipzig, and Lausanne.
He completed his law degree (Referendarexamen) around 1872 and entered civil service, first in Prussia, then in the diplomatic corps.
Diplomatic Posts
Bülow’s diplomatic career was extensive. He served in postings in Rome, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Athens, and Paris.
He gradually rose through ranks, eventually becoming German ambassador to Rome (circa 1893) before reentering the central governmental roles in Berlin.
Political Rise: Foreign Secretary and Chancellor
Foreign Secretary (1897–1900)
In 1897, Bülow was appointed State Secretary for Foreign Affairs under Chancellor Prince Hohenlohe.
In this role, he pushed more assertive colonial and overseas ambitions, diverging from the cautious Realpolitik of Bismarck. In December 1897, he justified Germany’s expansion in East Asia with a now-famous phrase:
“we want to throw no one into the shade, but we also demand our place in the sun.”
He was involved in negotiations over the Kiautschou concession in China, and expanded Germany’s reach in the Pacific, e.g., in Samoa, the Caroline Islands, and the Marianas.
Chancellor of the German Empire (1900–1909)
On October 17, 1900, Bülow was appointed Chancellor and simultaneously became Minister-President of Prussia.
His chancellorship spanned nearly nine years, until July 14, 1909.
Domestic Policies
Domestically, his government pursued moderate reforms:
-
In 1900, the law was passed extending benefits under accident insurance.
-
In 1901, industrial arbitration courts became compulsory in cities above certain populations.
-
Reforms to health insurance, child labor, and social conditions followed in the 1900s.
He attempted to balance social pressures from the growing socialist movement while preserving monarchical and conservative structures.
Foreign and Naval Policy
Foreign policy was the centerpiece of Bülow’s agenda. He supported Alfred von Tirpitz’s naval expansion, aiming to challenge British maritime dominance.
His policies contributed to several diplomatic crises:
-
First Moroccan Crisis (1905–1906): Germany challenged French influence in Morocco, sending the Kaiser to Tangier and pushing for international arbitration.
-
Algeciras Conference (1906): Germany backed its proposals but was largely rebuffed by the conference, which sided with France.
-
Daily Telegraph Affair (1908): A leaked interview of Kaiser Wilhelm II caused diplomatic backlash. Bülow was blamed for failing to prevent it and for not managing its fallout.
His foreign stance increasingly alienated Britain and France, and strengthened the Entente between them, worsening Germany’s strategic position.
Resignation
After the Daily Telegraph scandal, Bülow lost the confidence of both the Kaiser and the Reichstag. He resigned in July 1909.
He moved to Rome for retirement, though he remained politically active behind the scenes.
Historical Context & Challenges
Bülow governed during the era of intensifying great power rivalries and the aggressive nationalism of the early 20th century. His embrace of Weltpolitik, colonial expansion, and naval buildup reflected a departure from Bismarck’s cautious diplomacy.
His policies sought Germany’s “place in the sun,” referencing aspirations in overseas spheres, such as East Asia and the Pacific.
While his government presided over economic growth, industrialization, and social reforms, the external tension it generated with Britain, France, and Russia significantly destabilized European diplomacy.
Some historians argue that Bülow’s foreign policy made the slide toward war more probable, even if he did not intend it.
Later Life and Legacy
After his resignation, Bülow resided largely in Rome, with seasonal stays in Germany.
During World War I, he briefly emerged as interim ambassador to Italy (1914–1915) in an attempt to keep Italy in the Central Powers’ orbit, but without success.
He also wrote extensively, publishing memoirs (posthumously in four volumes) that contained candid assessments of contemporaries and of Wilhelm II.
His name was at times floated as a possible chancellor postwar (1921), though he never regained major power.
He died in Rome on October 28, 1929, aged 80.
Historically, Bülow is remembered as a sophisticated diplomat and administrator, though frequently criticized for opportunism, lack of consistent strategic vision, and failing to prevent crises that led toward war.
Personality & Abilities
Bülow was known as urbane, eloquent, and socially adept. He was multilingual and comfortable in aristocratic and diplomatic circles.
Some contemporaries viewed him as opportunistic, able to flatter the Kaiser while maneuvering for political advantage.
He was also accused of being passive in confronting Wilhelm II’s impulsive policies, thus failing to restrain reckless initiatives.
His memoirs, published after his death, stirred debate because of their frank and sometimes unflattering portrayals of political figures.
Famous Quotes of Bernhard von Bülow
Here are several notable quotations attributed to him:
“We desire to throw no one into the shade [in East Asia], but we also demand our own place in the sun.”
“But it is a law of life and development in history where two national civilizations meet they fight for ascendancy.”
“To the meaningless French idealisms: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, we propose the three German realities: Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery.”
“English policy may not yet have made the definite decision to attack us; but it doubtless wishes … to hinder every further expansion of German international influence and of German maritime power.”
These quotes reflect his worldview: nationalism, power politics, and a belief in the inevitability of conflict among rising states.
Lessons from Bernhard von Bülow
From Bülow’s life and political career, several lessons can be drawn:
-
Ambition without restraint can backfire
His assertive foreign agenda helped provoke countervailing alliances. -
Diplomacy requires strategic consistency
Fluctuations or lack of a clear vision invite misinterpretation and opposition. -
Personality matters in leadership
A leader’s ability (or inability) to restrain impulses in higher office influences national course. -
Reputation endures beyond office
His memoirs and public statements shaped how future generations interpret that era. -
Domestic and foreign balance is critical
He attempted to keep social reforms and foreign expansion in tandem, but tensions remained.
Conclusion
Bernhard von Bülow was a pivotal figure at the turn of the 20th century in Germany—intellectually elegant, politically ambitious, and deeply shaped by the world of imperial diplomacy. His period in power embodied both the heights and the dangers of assertive nationalism and global ambition.
While he presided over modernization and reform domestically, his foreign policies contributed to the diplomatic strain that would engulf Europe in war. His legacy remains controversial: an accomplished statesman, yet one whose policies accelerated the tensions of his age.