~ Der Zwietracht eiserner Erwürger ~
Otto von Bismarck was the greatest force in the unification of Germany in 1871 and was the favorite power behind the throne of Kaiser Wilhelm I. He controlled Germany as the "Eiserner Kanzler" (Iron Chancellor) from 1871 and led with strict Prussian discipline, but fell out of favor with Kaiser Wilhelm II and was dismissed by him in 1890. This verse reflects his actions that relieved the stress among the smaller German states and between the ideologies among the people that were tending toward socialism and the elite that wanted strict control. The relief stein with the bust of the beloved Bismarck was, made by Reinhold Hanke, but marked only "1275 Germany", ca. 1900.
(Bismarck) - Der Zwietracht eiserner Erwürger - des deutschen Reichen Ehrenbürger.	(Bismarck) - the iron strangler of discord - an honored official of the German Empire.

Translation: Roy De Selms Photo credit: Unknown