Bernhard von Bülow

Bernhard von Bülow (1849-1929), German statesman, born in Flottbek (now Kleinflottbek), and educated at the universities of Leipzig, Berlin, and Lausanne. Bülow entered the diplomatic service in 1874, and after several promotions he was made secretary of state for foreign affairs in 1897. In 1900 he became chancellor of the German Empire, and in 1905 he was made a prince (Fürst). As chancellor, Bülow's foreign policies antagonized the British, French, and Russians. In the so-called Morocco crisis of 1905, Bülow alienated the French by forcing the resignation of the French minister of foreign affairs, Théophile Delcassé.

In 1908, when Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bülow supported the annexation despite opposition from Russia and Great Britain. Bülow's policies helped to strengthen the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente, resulting in the increase of European tensions that eventually led to World War I. Opposition from William II, emperor of Germany, and from members of the Reichstag in 1909 led to his resignation and retirement. During World War I the German government sent him to Rome in a vain attempt to persuade Italy not to enter the war on the side of the Allies.