Germany's Ottoman politics in the Period of Otto Von Bismarck

The last quarter of the 19th century can be considered a turning point in the Ottoman History. In this period, Otto von Bismarck, who had established the German Empire unifying all the small German states, can be considered as one of the most important figures of the European politics. He emerged victorious from three separate wars to achieve his goal. The policy followed by Bismarck was to build his state on solid basis, and to protect it that he established by wars, by the way of the continuation of a peace order in the European politics. Because of the geopolics of Germany, it was difficult for Bismarck to maintain this order. He tried to provide the security of the Empire by the way of the political alliances. In the period that Bismarck was influential as political actor, the most crucial agenda of the European states was how the Eastern Question would be solved, which was closely related to the Ottoman Empire. As one of the most important political players of that period, Bismarck strove very much to solve the question in the smoothest way to protect the balance of politics in Europe that was necessary for the strengthening of Germany. So, how did he follow his goal? Where was Ottoman in his politics and what was its significance? How was his relationship with the Ottoman Empire? In this article we will try to give answers to these questions. Key Words: Bismarck, Orient, Ottoman Empire, Alliances