To the inhabitants of these provinces Bismarck's constant appeal to the old Prussian traditions and to the achievements of the Prussian nobility could have little meaning.

What did the citizens of Cologne and Aachen care about the Seven Years' War?
If their ancestors took part in the war, it would be as enemies of the Kings of Prussia.
When Bismarck said that they were Prussians, and would remain Prussian, he undoubtedly spoke the opinion of the Mark and of Pomerania.

But the inhabitants of the Western Provinces still felt and thought rather as Germans than as Prussians; they had scarcely been united with the monarchy thirty years; they were not disloyal, but they were quite prepared--nay, they wished to see Prussia dissolved in Germany.

No one can govern Prussia unless he is able to reconcile to his policy these two different classes in the State.

It was this which the Prussian Conservatives, to which Bismarck at that time belonged, have always failed to do.