It is, however, only half the truth; the Prussian Government was not solely responsible.
It was not they who began arming, it was not they who first broke the peace which had been maintained in Europe since 1815.

Their fault seems to have been, not that they armed first, but that when they put their hand to the work, they did it better than other nations.

If they are exposed to any criticism in the matter, it must rather be this, that the Government of the late King had unduly neglected the army; they began to prepare not too soon but almost too late.

It was in Austria in 1848 that the new military dominion began; Austria was supported by Russia and imitated by France; Prussia, surrounded by these empires, each at least double herself in population, was compelled to arm in self-defence.

By not doing so sooner she had incurred the disgrace of Olmuetz; her whole policy had been weak and vacillating, because the Government was frightened at stirring up a conflict in which they would almost certainly be defeated.
There is one other matter with regard to the conflict so far as regards Bismarck personally.