Treaty Signature
Signs the final Treaty of Berlin after a month of negotiations among the Great Powers.
Role range: 1877-1878
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Otto Eduard Leopold Furst von Bismarck-Schonhausen Biography and Timeline — Page 8
Follow Otto Eduard Leopold Furst von Bismarck-Schonhausen through 331 dated historical records for Germany.
Otto Eduard Leopold Furst von Bismarck-Schonhausen, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
331Distinct records
8 of 9Page
1878–1887Years on this page
1878
Treaty of Berlin
Presides over the settlement that recognizes Romanian, Serbian and Montenegrin independence, reduces Bulgaria from the San Stefano settlement, and transfers southern Bessarabia to Russia.
Role range: 1877-1878 – 1871-1890
Alliance Bismarck and the Conservatives
Abandons the National Liberals in favour of the Conservatives after the Kulturkampf
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Catholic Centre Party
The struggle against socialism unites Bismarck with the Catholic Centre Party, bringing an end to the Kulturkampf, which had led to far greater Catholic unrest than existed beforehand and had strengthened rather than weakened Catholicism
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Kulturkampf
The struggle against socialism unites Bismarck with the Catholic Centre Party, bringing an end to the Kulturkampf, which had led to far greater Catholic unrest than existed beforehand and had strengthened rather than weakened Catholicism. Abandons the National Liberals in favour of the Conservatives after the Kulturkampf
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Kulturkampf
Pius dies & is replaced by the conciliatory Leo X. Falk is dismissed & most anti-Catholic laws are dismantled
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Reform of Political Repression
Prohibition of the Socialist Party press & organisation
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
SDP
The SPD defends itself by conventions in London & Switzerland
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
1879
Rule of Schleswig
Breaks the Treaty of Prague & refuses to support a plebiscite in northern Schleswig
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Treaty of Prague
Breaks the Treaty of Prague & refuses to support a plebiscite in northern Schleswig
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
William I & Alexander II try to put right some misunderstandings
William I & Alexander II try to put right some misunderstandings
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Alliance Austria and Germany, similar to the Holy Alliance
Agrees a dual alliance between Austria & Germany, similar to the Holy Alliance
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Neutrality
Austria & Germany agree neutrality if either is at war, except against Russia
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Treaty of Alliance
The Austrian alliance is used to prevent & Crimean coaliton & avoid another war. Austria & Germany agree to support each other in any war with Russia. Austria & Germany agree neutrality if either is at war, except against Russia. A Treaty of alliance is signed between Austria & Germany, despite William Is opposition
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Alliance Bismarck and the Conservative parties
Does not create a "greater Germany", preserves the balance of power. Breaks from the national liberals & relies upon the conservative parties
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Raises some tariff restrictions against Russia
Raises some tariff restrictions against Russia
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
1881
SDP
The Septennat Law financing the Army for 7 years is passed through the Reichstag
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
1882
Constitution of Germany
Passes a Royal Edict proclaiming the Emperors responsibility for Government policy
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Constitution of Germany
Informs the Landtag that the First Minister will be the servant of the King-Emperor
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Constitution of Germany
Says the Emperor is the real Minister President of Prussia
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
German Alliance System Expanded
Bismarck expands Germany's network of defensive alliances.
Role range: 1871-1890
Triple Alliance Concluded
Germany concludes the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy.
Role range: 1871-1890
1883
Health Reform
Passes the Sickness Insurance Law
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Legislation
The social security systems installed by Bismarck (health care in 1883, accidents insurance in 1884, invalidity and old-age insurance in 1889) at the time are the most advanced in the world
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Legislation
Passes the Sickness Insurance Law
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Reform of Government
Passes the Sickness Insurance Law
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
1884
Political Support at Heligoland
Offers Britain German support over Africa in return for the cession of Heligoland
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Rule of Heligoland
Offers Britain German support over Africa in return for the cession of Heligoland
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Conference of Berlin
Convenes the Berlin Conference, where European powers discuss navigation and trade rules for the Congo basin.
Role range: 1871-1890
Health Reform
Passes the Accident Insurance Law
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Reform of Government
Passes the Accident Insurance Law
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Rule of Cameroons
At the Conference of Berlin Britain recognizes Germany's claims to the Cameroons
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Rule of New Guinea
Athe the Conference of Berlin Britain recognizes Germany's claims to the New Guinea
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Rule of Nigeria
Germany agrees to support Britains claims in Nigeria, against the French
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
1885
Deputy Secretary of State
Appointed Deputy Secretary of State
Role range: 1871-1814
1886
Budget
The Reichstag turns down Bismarks proposals to increase military spending. Dissolves the Reichstag after failing to raise the budget. Calls up reserves & announces a war loan to rally patriotic voters at the election. Asks the Reichstag to increase the military budget after the end of the Dreikaiserbund
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Election
Calls up reserves & announces a war loan to rally patriotic voters at the election
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Reichstag
Dissolves the Reichstag after it refuses his increases to the military budget
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
1887
Treaty of Mediterranean
Agreed between powers maintaining the status quo in the Mediterranean against Turkey
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1862-1890
Budget
Passes a Septennial Act increasing the military budget. Creates ne taxes for liquor & sugar & increasing taxes on grains
Role range: 1871-1814 – 1871-1890
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.