"The position of Prussia in Germany will not be determined by its liberalism but by its power. Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden may indulge liberalism, and for that reason no one will assign them Prussia's role. Prussia must collect its forces and hold them in reserve for an opportune moment, which has already come and gone several times. Since the treaties of Vienna, our frontiers have been ill-designed for a healthy body politic. Not through speeches and majority decisions will the great questions of the day be decided -- that was the great mistake of 1848 and 1849 -- but by iron and blood."

Otto von Bismarck, speech to the Budget Committee of the Prussian parliament, 30 September 1862. Bismarck had been appointed Minister President of Prussia just two weeks earlier by King Wilhelm I.