Otto von Bismarck is known as the architect of German unification. Serving as Prussian Prime Minister, Bismarck utilized diplomatic strategy and military prowess to unite the numerous independent German states into a cohesive nation-state by 1871. Through a series of wars and key political maneuvers, such as the Austro-Prussian War and the Franco-Prussian War, he effectively eliminated foreign influence and fostered nationalism among German populations. His pragmatic governance and realpolitik approach established the German Empire, which was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Bismarck's legacy includes a complex political order and a strong centralized state.