Otto von Bismarck practiced realpolitik, which was a theory of politics based on practical matters rather than theory or ethics. the view that military might equaled political might. a belief that animals have political rights. the study of the governments of other nations, both past and present. 2. The effect of the Crimean War was to destroy the gold fields in the Crimea. force the Estonian economy into a decline that lasted for twenty years. strengthen the Concert of Europe with the addition of France. destroy the Concert of Europe and leave Austria without friends among the great powers.