Opinion Poll, Berliner Illustrierte Zeitung, 1899

1. Who is the greatest statesman of the century?
2. Who is the greatest military commander of the century?
3. Whom would you name the greatest hero of the century?
4. Who was the most significant woman of the century?
5. Who is the greatest inventor...?
6. Which is the most useful invention/discovery?
7. The greatest historical event...?
8. The most important battle?
9. The greatest deed of civilization?
10. What was the happiest period of time in this century?
11. The unhappiest period?
12. Who were the two greatest Berliners?

Responses:

• 1. Bismarck (Baron vom Stein got a few dozen votes; Gladstone mentioned)
• 2. Napoleon (3300 votes); Moltke (3000); "alcoholism" because it conquers all generals.
• 3. Wilhelm I (2400); Bismarck (1600): Stanley, Garibaldi mentioned; Dr. Mueller of Vienna nominated himself.
• 4. Queen Luise of Prussia (2100); Queen Victoria (800); George Sand
• 5. Edison; Stephenson, Morse, Fulton, Howe distant runners-up
• 6. The railroad; also mentioned electric power, steamship, telegraph, x-ray
• 7. German unification (some say defeat of Napoleon; a few, the Revolution of 1848)
• 8. Battle of Leipzig (4300); Sedan (2000)
• 9. Slave emancipation (a close second, colonialism); social legislation of the Reich; Suez Canal
• 10. The majority, 1871-1900; a close second, 1871-1880
• 11. 1806-1812; a few, 1815-1848; 1867-73; 1848, 1878-1890
• 12. Alexander von Humboldt (1500); Wilhelm I (1200); Wilhelm II mentioned.