Sempell examines the relationship between Bismarck's unconscious infantile conflicts with his older brother, in particular Bismarck's wish to be first, and his later diplomatic successes. In the course of his diplomatic maneuverings Bismarck excluded the previously dominant German-speaking state, Austria, and made Prussia, with whom he was identified, pre-eminent in the German confederation. The author views this activity as a working out in an international forum of Bismarck's unconscious conflicts. Bismarck's youthful preoccupation with gambling and his transformation of this into political gambles are viewed from the vantage point of postulated omnipotent fantasies of childhood.