Bernhard von Bülow
Bernhard Heinrich Karl Martin, Prince of Bülow (German: Bernhard Heinrich Karl Martin Fürst von Bülow German: [fɔn ˈbyːloː]; 3 May 1849 – 28 October 1929) was a German statesman who served as the chancellor of the German Empire and minister-president of Prussia from 1900 to 1909. A fervent supporter of Weltpolitik, Bülow devoted his chancellorship to transforming Germany into a global power. Despite presiding over sustained economic growth and major technological advancement, his government's foreign policy did much to antagonize France and Great Britain, which contributed significantly to Germany's defeat in the First World War.
His Serene Highness Bernhard von Bülow Prince of Bülow | |
|---|---|
Bernhard von Bülow in 1899 | |
| Chancellor of Germany Minister President of Prussia | |
| In office 17 October 1900 – 14 July 1909 | |
| Monarch | Wilhelm II |
| Deputy | Arthur von Posadowsky-Wehner Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg |
| Preceded by | Chlodwig zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst |
| Succeeded by | Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg |
| State Secretary for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 20 October 1897 – 16 October 1900 | |
| Chancellor | Chlodwig zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst |
| Preceded by | Adolf Marschall von Bieberstein |
| Succeeded by | Oswald von Richthofen |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of Prussia | |
| In office 20 October 1897 – 14 July 1909 | |
| Prime Minister | Chlodwig zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst Himself |
| Preceded by | Adolf Marschall von Bieberstein |
| Succeeded by | Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bernhard Heinrich Karl Martin von Bülow 3 May 1849 Klein-Flottbeck, Duchy of Holstein, German Confederation |
| Died | 28 October 1929 (aged 80) Rome, Italy |
| Spouse | Maria Beccadelli di Bologna |
| Alma mater | University of Lausanne University of Berlin University of Leipzig University of Greifswald |
| Signature | |
Born into a prominent family of Danish-German aristocrats, Bülow entered the German foreign service after his father, Bernhard Ernst von Bülow, was appointed foreign secretary in Otto von Bismarck's government. He held several diplomatic posts, including German ambassador to Rome, before being appointed foreign secretary in 1897 by Wilhelm II. Three years later he was appointed chancellor following the resignation of the Prince of Hohenlohe.
As chancellor, Bülow promoted cautious and conservative domestic policies. In foreign affairs, he pursued an ambitious and expansionist policy. His open challenge to France's growing control over Morocco sparked the First Moroccan Crisis, which aggravated the French and the British and helped strengthen the Entente Cordiale. In 1908, Wilhelm's indiscreet remarks were published during the Daily Telegraph Affair, causing significant damage to German foreign relations and the Kaiser's prestige. Bülow was blamed for failing to prevent the blunder and, having lost the support of both the Kaiser and the Reichstag, he resigned in 1909 and was succeeded by Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg.
Bülow moved to Rome after his resignation. He came out of retirement in late 1914 to serve as interim ambassador to Italy, but was unable to bring King Victor Emmanuel III to the side of the Central Powers. Bülow died in Rome in 1929 at the age of 80.