This man strenuously opposed the acceptance of the Imperial dignity by the King of Prussia at the hands of the Frankfurt Parliament in 1849, on the ground that it was unworthy of the King of Prussia to accept any office at the hands of the people rather than at those of his peers, the princes of Germany.

In 1851 Count von Bismarck was appointed a Prussian representative in the revived princely and aristocratic Federal Assembly.

Here he energetically fought the hegemony hitherto exercised by Austria.

He continued some years in this capacity, and subsequently served as Prussian Minister in St.Petersburg and again in Paris.

In the autumn of 1862 the new King of Prussia, Wilhelm I, who had succeeded to the throne the previous year, called him back to take over the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and the leadership of the Cabinet.