1839

Oliver Twist, Dickens.

His mother died. He moved to Kniephof around Easter (JS). 1839-47, Bismarck was mostly in Schönhausen and Kniephof. It was a period of 'frustration, isolation and loneliness after the failure of his attempt at a career and before his marriage and first appearance in public life' (OP). Although he said he did not understand Hegel he read him, Spinoza, Feuerbach and many others. He read enormously particularly history but 'he had no interest in historical synthesis or the philosophy of history' (OP). He became very close to his younger sister, Malwine. Stories spread of the 'mad Junker's' wild behaviour. One of his friends wrote how, after staying up late drinking he pushed a chest of drawers against the door to avoid being woken early in the morning — Bismarck fired two shots through the window into the ceiling knocking plaster onto his friend in bed (JS p54).

First opium war. China's defeat meant East Asia was passive.

Treaty guaranteeing Belgium's neutrality and independence (Palmerston).

The Pope, encouraged by Britain, condemned the slave trade. Very little effect. Countries like Spain and Portugal saw it as vital to their national interests. There was no continental counterpart to Britain's movement for abolition (Clark p157ff).