Otto von Bismarck started a career in law but left that career to serve as an officer in the Prussian army.  He left the army to return home to assume control of the family estate when his mother died.  He turned to politics 1847 when he was chosen as a representative to the Prussian legislature.  He was a royalist who supported the ruling monarchy and proved to be a skillful debater and politician.  During the revolutions of 1848, Bismarck opposed the liberal movement who wanted to unite Germany under a constitution.  When Frederick William IV felt threatened, he left Berlin for Potsdam, Bismarck attempted to organize his tenants to fight in the king's name.

          Following the revolution of 1848, Bismarck held many important positions including serving as the Ambassador for the German Confederation to Russia and France.

           In 1861, Wilhelm I became King of Prussia and a year later appointed Otto von Bismarck Foreign Minister of Prussia.