Bismarck was accustomed to follow out his thought to its conclusions.

To whom did the king owe his power?
There was only one alternative: to the people or to God.

If to the people, then it was a mere question of convenience whether the monarchy were continued in form; there was little to choose between a constitutional monarchy where the king was appointed by the people and controlled by Parliament, and an avowed republic.

This was the principle held by nearly all his contemporaries.

He deliberately rejected it.