Bismarck has never actively sought expansion, and if he could, he did not even want Poland.

This is why, when Bismarck established a united Germany, he wanted to exclude Austria, because he believed that some of the non-German nationalities ruled by Austria were a burden, and that "this is a place for Czechs, Slovaks, and Serbs...... of the heavy baggage".

Since the Czechs and Slavs are burdens, the Spaniards are naturally also burdens in Bismarck's eyes. Even though Poland's geographical location made it necessary for Germany to control Poland in order to secure its eastern border, Bismarck still excluded Poland and launched a culture war to squeeze out the Polish community in Germany. Whether he was a racist or that he saw the hidden dangers of the national question, Bismarck had always been very inactive in ruling non-Germans.

And he has a clear positioning for Germany, that is, to be a first-class power, not a hegemon.

Historically, Bismarck once expounded his concept of action after the Franco-Prussian War:

"Rather than aimlessly "hegemony," Germany should be more concerned about being surrounded. Berlin's every move is now under the watchful eye of other countries, and if it is deemed a threat to general security, it will be its enemy from the North Sea to the Ural Mountains. However, apart from the hatred between France and Germany, which is difficult to resolve, there are overlapping interests between Germany and Britain, Austria and Russia, and as long as they win the friendship of at least two of these three countries, Berlin will be in the majority among the top five, and will not suffer even if war breaks out. But there are complex entanglements of interests between Britain and Russia, Russia and Austria, and even smaller Italy, and it is difficult for Germany to pull them into a coherent front. ”

Bismarck, based on Germany's geographical location, developed a policy of being an "honest broker", in which Germany did not claim territorial and security interests for itself, but zealously acted as an arbiter and intermediary for other countries, so that these countries would trust and even rely on Germany. In this way, any major territorial change or security matter in Europe would require Germany's participation in coordination, and a coalition of great powers with Germany as an enemy would never emerge.

This was Bismarck's attitude, and it was more realistic to maintain Germany's advantageous position than to fight for hegemony at any cost.

Bismarck always believed that because of its poor geographical location, Germany could not unscrupulously pursue hegemony, otherwise it would inevitably repeat the mistakes of Louis XIV and Napoleon, and it would not be possible to suddenly jump overseas to build a world empire without solving the security problems of Europe. It is preferable and least risky to establish a comparative advantage in Europe, and as long as Germany's position in Europe is irreplaceable, it can become an invisible first-class power without having to build a new tangible world empire.

Now, after a series of policies, Bismarck has broken up Russia, completely solved the eastern threat, and continued to unite Austria-Hungary in the center, while maintaining a real Anglo-German alliance with Britain, which allowed Germany not only to suppress its old enemy France in absolute power, but also to completely isolate France in a diplomatic situation.

As long as this situation continues, Germany will be an irreplaceable first-class power in Europe, but at the risk of losing this first-class power, it is simply foolish for Bismarck to pursue the status of a world empire that has no practical meaning.

Bismarck's dilemma was that his king, like all German monarchs in history, was full of desire for military conquest and land seizure. During the Austro-Prussian War, the monarch wanted to capture Vienna directly, which only humiliated Austria and did not make any sense. During the Franco-Prussian War, the monarch wanted to seize more land, and at that time, Bismarck could not suppress the monarch's desire and was forced to take Alsace and Lorraine from France, resulting in the irreconcilable contradictions between Germany and France.

Now that a Spain is in front of his monarch, and with a huge colony attached, with a nod of his head, the German power can instantly become the world's top power, how can this make his king refuse?

Bismarck had to communicate with the emperor almost every day, and every communication eventually turned into a quarrel.

The German emperor has always disliked Bismarck, but he has always trusted Bismarck's ability, as long as Bismarck is willing to do something, the emperor believes that Bismarck will be able to do it, but the problem is that the emperor has always been unacceptable to Bismarck's certain ideas, because he believes that Bismarck is hindering Germany from becoming great.

Bismarck had always been able to use the threat of an Anglo-French alliance and the defeat of Louis XIV and Napoleon to intimidate the monarch, but when it came from the Americas that China was willing to fully support Prince Leopold in his acquisition of Spanish crown at the expense of colonial territory, Bismarck could no longer scare the emperor.

With the support of the Chinese forces, Germany will not be afraid of Britain, and will only face a France that has been struck by itself and cannot raise its head, and in front of such a France, it will not dare to reach out and pick up the fat cake at its fingertips, which will make the king feel ashamed.

In the end, Bismarck could only give the emperor a dilemma: "Your Majesty, if it has to be so, I can only resign!" ”

The emperor was reluctant to resign Bismarck, because Bismarck's talent was indeed rare.

He said to Bismarck sincerely: "Honorable Prime Minister, if Germany cannot do anything in this incident, I, the emperor, can only abdicate!" ”

There's nothing more to say.

Bismarck sighed: "If Your Majesty must support His Excellency Prince Leopold to inherit the Spanish throne, my personal suggestion is that a formal alliance treaty must be signed with China, and it must be written on paper to trust the Chinese." ”

The Emperor sighed, "If it were you who were to do it, I believe it would be the best to do it." ”

Bismarck shook his head: "Your Majesty, I beg your pardon for not being able to sign a death verdict of the German Empire!" ”

Bismarck always believed that German hegemony was not far from death.

The emperor sighed and did not say anything.

Bismarck took his leave, and his resignation was quickly sent to the emperor, who was silent for half an hour before signing his name and approving Bismarck's resignation.

Then the emperor quickly promoted the new Prussian prime minister, according to the constitution of the German Empire, the Prussian prime minister automatically became the German prime minister, and the Prussian prime minister was only responsible to the Prussian king, which meant that Prussia decided the German government cabinet, which was the truth of Germany under Prussian rule, and Bismarck created a complex imperial structure with Prussia as the core.

The new Prime Minister quickly replied to Prince Leopold, and the Empire decided to support him in succeeding to the Spanish throne, and Leopold immediately replied to the Spanish Parliament and decided to accept the invitation to assume the honorable position of King of Spain.

And then the whole of Europe exploded!