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| Question | Answer |
| Germany: The Quest For Political Stability | 1871-1929 |
| What is the Kaiserreich? | The second German Reich |
| When and where was it proclaimed and following what event? | The second German Empire – or Kaisseriech – was proclaimed on 18th January 1871 in the Palace of Versailles following Prussian-German success in the war against France (1870-71) |
| What did the constitution for the new German Empire incorporate? | The constitution of the new German Empire incorporated the main provisions of the constitution of the North German Confederation (drawn up by Bismarck in 1867) |
| It was to be a... | federal state |
| Describe the power William I had (7) | • He had the power to appoint/dismiss the Chancellor • Could dissolve the Reichstag • He controlled foreign policy • Could make treaties and alliances • Commanded the army and could declare war and make peace • Supervised the execution of all federal laws • Possessed the right to interpret the constitution |
| Describe the role of the chancellor (5) | • Chief minister of reich • Responsible to emperor not reichstag • Chaired sessions of the Bundestrat • Could appoint/dismiss state secretaries responsible for various government ministries • Could ignore resolutions passed by the Reichstag |
| What was the power of the Reichstag? (6) | • National parliament • Elected by all males over 25 • Could accept/reject legislation but had limited powers to initiate new laws • State secretaries = excluded membership from Reichstag & not responsible to it • Members were unpaid • Elected every five years unless dissolved |
| Describe the Bundestrat (7) | • Federal council • Comprised of 58 members – nominated by state assemblies • Consent was required in passing of new laws • Theoretically had the power to change constitution • Vote of 14 members constituted a veto • Prussia had seventeen members on the Bundestrat, Bavaria = 6, smaller states = 1 • In theory had extensive powers but actually rubber stamped chancellors policies |
| When was the North German Confederation created? | Created in 1867 – following prussia’s success against Austria in the seven weeks war of 1866 |
| Why didn't Bismarck press for unification in 1866? | Bis would have pressed for unification in 1866 but as well as threat of French intervention, he feared that if Prussia absorbed too much too soon, this would be to more trouble than it was worth |
| So which states retained independence? | So the southern states – Bavaria, Wurttemburg, Baden and Hesse-Darmstradt – retained there independence All other states = North German Confederation under Prussian leadership |
| Give a reason why the Kaissereich was autocratic | • All power utilimately resides with the emperor |
| Give a reason why the Kaiserreich was democratic | • Reichstag has considerable potential power |
| Give 6 reasons why the newly unified Germany had Prussian dominance | • Prussia possessed 60 per cent of Germany’s population • 2/3 of its territory • 235/397 deputies • 17 seats in the bundestrat (could veto) • purssian king = emperor & head of imperial executive and civil service and supreme warlord of Reich’s armed forces • except for 1872-3 and 1892-96, the chancellor was always prussian |
| How could you argue it wasn't Prussian dominated? | However, Prussian influence was diluted as concessions were made to other states It was the new reich which now engaged the loyalties of most Germans |
| What was Bismarck in 1871? | 1871+ Bismarck = Prussian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and Imperial Chancellor |
| What were the two main things that gave him a strong position? | He had rep as man who brought about German unification He had influence over Emperor Wilhelm I This overall gave him a strong position |
| How did Bismarck stop the threat of rivals to his position? | He ensured all other ministers were little more than senior clerks to get rid of rivals Also he dominated all secretaries of state to make sure they didn’t confer with the Kaiser without his permission |
| Who did Bismarck rely heavily upon? | His mistrust of rivals led him to rely on his son Herbert who was secretary of state of the foreign office from 1886. |
| What were three limitations to Bismarcks power? | • the fact Germany was a federal state • the reichstag • his long absences from Berlin |
| How do historians view Bismarck? | Many contempories viewed Bismarck with awe but recent historians have been less impressed, seeing him more as a lucky opportunist than a master planner. Also they say he had less than desirable attributes: his vindictiveness; intolerance of criticism and frequent use of bullying to get his way |
| Where did Bismarck want power to be within Germany? | Bismarck = anxious for political power to be in traditional German hands (emperor, army officers, ministers, mostly his own) |
| What could it be said that the constitution gave little room for? | It could be said the constitution gave little room for democracy – for example, the Riechstag could censor the chancellor but not secure his dismissal and at anytime it could itself be dismissed and new elections called. |
| How did Bismarck view the Reichstag? | Bismarck regarded the reichstag with distain = a collective of squabbling politicians who did not reflect popular opinion |
| He was only prepared to work with the Reichstag on what conditions? | He was only ready to work with the Reichstag on condition that it accepted his proposals, or some compromise acceptable to him If agreement wasn’t reached, he’d usually dissolve it and call for new elections |
| What methods was Bismarck prepared to use to get what he wanted? | He was prepared to use all methods he could, including the exploitation of an international crisis, to swing public opinion in elections and secure the passage of contentious legislation |
| How did Reichstag politicians from 1871-90 have a difficult task? | the balance of power was tilted sharply in favour of the monarchy and most germans = deeply respectful of authority, believing it was right/proper that the emperor or his chancellor should rule There was no widespread opinion that the power should be with the party who had the majority of reichstag seats Even left wing parties didn’t expect the Reichstag to exercise much control over the government. The most they hoped was that it would have some influence on government decisions |
| Who was August Bebel and what did he say about the Reichstag? | August Bebel (socialist leader) = the reichstag was the ‘fig leaf of despotism’ |
| Why did the Reichstag have more power than both Bismarck and Bebel realized? (6) | • the second empire needed a vast number of new laws and no bill could become a law until it passed the Reichstag. Also, the govt needed more money which only the Reichstag could provide so Bismarck had to negotiate deals and grant concessions • the reichstag = open forum for debate whose members enjoyed parliamentary immunity – debates were widely reported in the press so the chancellor and ministers could be questioned/embarrassed • for German the reichstag was the focus of national attention – not the emperor • no other parliament in 1870’s elected a broader franchise • universal male suffrage promoted the development of mass political parties with popular appeal. While these parties weren’t in the position to form governments, Bismarck could not afford to ignore them as he needed support for his own legislative proposals • the reichstag was always thwarting and critising Bismarcks plans – on several occasions in 1880 he investigated changing the constitution which proves the reichstags influence |
| Who did Bismarck see as enemies of the state? | Poles, Catholics and Socialists |
| Why was the army basically prussian? | It was basically Prussian as the Prussian army was the largest of the four armies that comprised the German army |
| What were the four largest states in the German army following Prussia? | The other three = Bavaria, Saxony and Wurttemberg |
| Who did Prussian-German officers have loyalty to? | Prussian-German officers owed personal loyalty to the king/emperor, not the state |
| What did conscription mean? | Conscription meant that all German men served for two to three years in the army – this gave officers the opportunity to build on the values included at school: discipline, pride in the military institutions and love of the fatherland |
| How did common Germans see the army? | The army had a special place in the minds of most Germans as it created the Reich After 1871 it was taken as fact that the armys needs must always come first and the highest values = military ones |
| What did uniforms encourage? | Uniforms encouraged respect and obedience and both Bismarck and the Kaiser were always in military uniform in public |
| How was the army virtually independent? | The military budget was not annually approved and the army was virtually independent of Reichstag control. It was also not bound to consult any civilian authority before acting. |
| How does bismarck describe William I in his memoirs? | ‘ a polite, gentlemanly, courteous man with the attitude and manners of a Prussian officer’ |
| Why was German far from united after the unification? | • each state had it own traditions and powers over education, justice, agriculture, religious matters and local government • over 60% of the population were protestant but catholocism = strong in Alsace-Lorraine, south-west Germany, Rhineland and among Poles • 10% of the Reich population = non-German minorities – Poles, Danes and French • economic and social divisions – between rich and poor, industrializing north and west and the rural south and east |
| What Alsace-Lorraine contain? | Alsace-Lorraine = contained Europes largest deposits of iron ore and production increased rapidly after 1871 |
| What is the term used to describe Bismarcks approach to politics/. | Realpolitik |
| When was the liberal era? | 1871-79 |
| What was the liberal era? | After 1871, Bismarck needed a parliamentary majority Although he wasn’t a true liberal, he had little alternative than to work with the national liberals and as the strongest party in the Reichstag for most of the 1870’ |
| State useful legislation brought about in the liberal era (4) | In the 1870s a great deal of useful legislation was created: • a national system of currency was introduced • a Reichsbank was created • all internal tariffs were abolished • there was much legal standardization |
| How were relations between Bismarck and the national liberals? | Relations between Bismarck and the national liberals were always uneasy as politically, Bismarck did not agree with their hopes for the extension of parliamentary government and he became irritated with their opposition to his proposals |
| How did the Army Budget cause conflict between Bismarck and the national liberals? | This was a particular bone of contention In 1867, Bismarck and the national liberals agreed that the military budget should remain at a fixed level outside of Reichstag control until 1872 During the Franco Prussia war, the fixed budget was extended until 1874. In 1874, Bismarck presented a law proposing that an army of over 400,000 men should be automatically financed by federal expenditure. Given that 80% of all federal expenditure was spent on the army, this seriously threatened to reduce the Reichstag’s monetary powers so the measure (the eternal law) was opposed by the National Liberals. |
| How did Bismarck react to the National liberals opposing the army budget? and then how did it conclude? | Bismarck thus accused then of trying to undermine German military strength and threatened to call new elections The national liberals shrank from constitutional conflict and a compromise was eventually reached – the budget was fixed for seven years at a time (Septennates) rather than voted for annually or fixed permanently |
| When did the national liberals have the highest number of seats in the Reichstag, alternatively when we the lowest? | Highest = 1874 with 155 lowest = 1890 with 42 |
| When did the the centre party have the highest number of seats in the Reichstag, alternatively when we the lowest? | highest = 1890 with 106 lowest = 1871 with 58 |
| Between 1871-1890, what percentage of the German population were Catholic? | 1/3 |
| Give two examples of acts Bismarck made against the minorities | • the Polish language was outlawed in education and law courts • Alsace-lorriane was not granted full autonomy, instead it became a region under direct imperial rule with a governor and Prussian civil servants – the German language was imposed in schools and local administration |
| How could it be said that bismarck didn't rely solely on repression of minorities? | , Bismarck did not rely solely on repression. Those French people who disliked the German rule were allowed to leave (400,000 had done so by 1914) The German governors of Alsace-Lorraine made great efforts to conciliate the French speaking provinces It does seem that national minorities alienation from the Reich probably lessened over the years. School, conscription and everyday experience ‘Germanised’ many minorities |
| in the early 1870's who did Bismarck leave the economy to? | In the early 1870’s, Bismarck left economic matters in the hands of Rudolph Delbruck, a capable administrator who continued the free trade policies of the Zollverein |
| What happened in 1879 in regards to free trade? | Support of free trade was an essential principle of most National Liberals In 1879, however, Bismarck ditched both free trade and the National Liberals instead aligning with Conservatives and Centre Parties, he supported the introduction of tariffs to protect German industry and farming |
| Who had the majority in 1879 in the Reichstag? | By 1879, protectionists – made up mostly of Conservatives and centre party members – had a majority in the Reichstag |
| Describe the events of the 1879 tariff bill | July 1879 – a tarrif bill passed through the Reichstag and duties were imposed on imports The political results were far reaching – Bismarck had now firmly commited himself to the conservatives and so the national liberal party splintered Those who still believed in free trade and parliamentary government broke away and united with the progressives to form a new radical party in 1884 Other national liberals remained loyal to Bismarck but he was no longer dependant on their backing and in that sense the ‘liberal era’ had ended. |
| The centre party and the national liberals determined to frustrate Bismarck’s attempt to make the government less dependant on the states and the Reichstag, what did they do? | A centre party deputy, Count George von Frankenstein put forward a scheme whereby all revenues coming to the federal govt. in excess of 130 million marks were to be divided up among the states, and would then be returned as part of the state payments. As a result of the ‘Frankenstein Clause’ the budgetary rights of the Reichstag and the state parliaments were preserved Bismarck thus failed to secure financial independence he sought. |
| When was the SPD formed? | In 1875 = moderate and revolutionary socialists united to form the Socialist Democratic Party (SPD) |
| What was the desired aim of the SPD? | The parties desired aim was the overthrow of the existing order but it also declared that it would use only legal means to the struggle for economic and political freedom The new party called for nationalization of banks, coal mines and industry, and for social equality |
| How many votes did the SPD win in 1877? | 1877 = SPD won nearly 500000 votes (12 seats in Reichstag) |
| What bill did Bismarck pass in 1876? | 1876 – Bismarck tried to pass a bill preventing the publication of socialist propaganda but it was defeated and other measures to prosecute the SPD also failed to get through the Reichstag |
| When was the first assassination attempt on William I? | May 1878 |
| What political implications did this first assassination attempt have? | The would be assassin had no association with the SPD but Bismarck drew no clear distinction between anarchism and socialism and saw the murder attempt as part of a ‘red’ conspiracy However, his efforts to push through a bill against socialism were defeated by National Liberals concerned about civil liberties |
| What happened a week later? | A week later, there was a second attempt on Williams life that resulted in the Emperor being seriously wounded. Again the assassin had no relation to the SPD but Bismarck criticized the National Liberals for failing to pass the bill that might have protected the Emperor. |
| What did Bismarck do in 1878? | Dissolved the Reichstag |
| How did Bismarck get his way in the new Reichstag? | Bismarck now got his way in the new Reichstag – an anti-socialist bill supported by Conservatives and most National Liberals – passed in October 1878 |
| Name 3 things the anti-socialist bill supported | • Socialist organisations, including trade unions were banned • Socialist meetings were broken up • Socialist publications were outlawed |
| Between 1878 and 1890, how many socialists were imprisoned? | Between 1878 and 1890, 1500 socialists were imprisoned and a number emigrated. |
| How did Bismarcks anti-socialist law backfire? | However, the anti-socialist law didn’t eliminate socialism and instead rallied the faithful Moreover, the law – which was differently implemented in German states – did not prevent SPD members from standing for election and speaking freely in both the Reichstag and state legislatures. After the dip in 1875, the SPD won increasing support and by 1890 had over 1 million votes and 35 seats In short, Bismarcks attack on socialism was no more successful than his attack on the Catholic Church. His repressive measures may have helped increase support for the SPD and ensured that moderate and revolutionary socialist factions remained united |
| What other method did Bismarck use as well as repression to stop socialism? | Bismarck did not use only repression in his efforts to destroy socialism but also hoped to wean working classes form socialism by introducing various welfare measures, designed to assist German workers |
| When did the first of Bismarcks state socialist act become law and what was it? | 1883 = the first of his proposals for state socialism became lar The Sickness Insurance Act provided medical treatment and up to thirteen wrrks of sick pay to three million low paid workers. The workers paid 2/3 of the contribution and the employers 1/3 |
| Which act followed this and when? | A worker who was permanently disabled or sick for more than thirteen weeks was given protection by the Accident Insurance Act of 1884. This was financed wholly by employers |
| What was the third and final anti-socialist act? | In 1889, the Old Age and Disability Act happened which gave pension to those over 70, and disablement pensions for those who were younger . This was paid for by workers, employers and the state. |
| How successful was state socialism? | Bismarck’s hopes that the working class could be won over by state socialism were not fully realized. Many workers thought the measures a ‘sham’ particularly as the government still opposed the formation of the trade unions The welfare legislation was not particularly generous, nor did Bismarck grant unemployment insurance. Moreover, many workers continued to labour under harsh conditions and while such conditions persisted, the SPD was assured of a future. Bismarck, believing that employers must control their factories, opposed demands for state intervention to regulate working hours and limit child and female employment Nethertheless, Bismarck’s measures laid the foundations of the welfare state in Germany. They were also the first of their kind in the world and became a model of social provision for other countries |
| Which year did bismarck suffer political set backs? | 1881 = Bismarck suffered a setback at the polls the liberal parties – the national liberals, secession liberals and progressives – gained seats from the Conservative, ensuring that Bismarck could no longer depend on Reichstag support |
| What happened in the 1884 election? | In the 1884 election, Bismarck rallied patriotic support with his colonial policy and the Conservative parties won seats from the liberal parties |
| What did bismarck ask in 1886? | As a result of this, in late 1886 - Bismarck asked the Reichstag to agree to substantial military increases. The Reichstag agreed, but only on condition that in future it was allowed to review military expenditure every three years. |
| What happened in 1887? | By 1887 – Bismarck was at odds with the Reichstag over the renewal of the army grant or Septennates. The current Septennates were not due to expire until 1888, but the international situation alarmed the generals, who pressed for an early renewal. |
| What did Bismarck furiously declare about the army? | The german army is an institution which cannot be dependent on short lived Reichstag minorities |
| How did Bismarck get the Septennates? | Dissolving the Reichstage, he conjured up a picture of a revenge seeking France, ready for war at any moment He warned that Germany would remain in danger until the Septennates were passed and only the Conservatives and National Liberals could be relied on to pass them. Bismarck’s electoral stratagem worked The Conservatives and National Liberals won an absolute majority in 1887 and the Septennates were passed. |
| Describe Bismarcks fall | By the late 1880’s, Bismarcks position seemed I jeopardy – William was in his eighties and if he died, Crown Prince Frederick (a man of liberal views) would ascend the throne and it seemed likely that he would dismiss Bismarck |
| When did William die? | 1888 |
| Why were Wilhelm and bismarck soon in conflict? | Wilhelm and Bismarck were soon at odds Wilhelm questioned the need to keep the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia and the two also disagreed over social policy Unlike Bismarck, Wilhelm was confident that he would win over the working class by a modest extension of the welfare system, including an end to child labour and Sunday working. Bismarck, in contrast, favoured further repression, so in light of this, in 1889, he proposed to make the Anti-Socialist law permanent. Wilhelm wasn’t against renewing the law (he feared socialism too) but he wanted the measure watered down. Bismarck refused. He was then let down by the Reichstag, which rejected his entire bill in January 1890. This was a sign of his political power in 1890 crumbling. February 1890, with the new Reichstag elections underway, Wilhelm issued a proclamation promising new social legislation. The absence of Bismarcks counter-signature on the proclamation caused a sensation. The election was a disaster for Bismarck – his conservative and national liberal allies lost 85 seats while the radicals gained 46 seats and the |
| Describe Bismarcks dismissal | March 1890 – Wilhelm and Bismarck quarreled about the right of ministers to advise the monarch Bismarck had revised an old order first issued in 1852, which forbade ministers to approach the Prussian King except through the Minister-President of Prussia. He interpreted this to mean that all ministers must obtain permission from him as chancellor before they could iscuss any government business with the Emperor. Wilhelm was not prepared for such restrictions and commanded that the 1852 order be withdrawn. At a stormy interview, Bismarck nearly threw an inkpot at Wilhelm and then enraged him by letting his see letter from Tsar Alexander III, which was very disparaging of his talents. Wilhelm now sent Bismarck an ultimatum: resign or be dismissed. Three days later Bismarck sent a letter of resignation in which he justified his actions claiming (wrongly) that the real difference between Wilhelm and himself lay in the Kaisers pursuit of an anti-Russian policy. This letter was not made public until after Bismarck death. The official announcement implied that he had resigned for |
| Who were the four Wilhelmine chancellors? | • General Leo Caprivi • Prince Chlodwig Hohenloe • Bernhard Bulow • Theobold Bethmann-Hollway |
| What year was Caprivi chancellor? | • General Leo Caprivi – 1890-94 |
| In what year was Hohenloe chancellor? | • • Prince Chlodwig Hohenloe – 1894-1900 |
| in what year was Bulow chancellor? | • Bernhard Bulow – 1900-09 |
| In what year was Bethmann-Hollweg chancellor? | • Theobold Bethmann-Hollweg – 1909-17 |
| How were these chancellors different from Bismarck? | Essentially civil servants not seasoned statesmen like Bismarck Didn’t dominate German political scene as decisively as Bismarck had and lacked his talent Political survival for the chancellors was dependent on showing loyalty and doing his will |
| How did the Bundestrat change in the Wilhelmine era? | It had been at the centre of bismarcks system but after 1890 declined in influence, an increasing number of bills were first discussed by the main political parties and then introduced in the Reichstag rather than in the Bundestrat |
| What happened to right wing parties after 1890? | However, after 1890, the voting strength of these parties was in decline. In 1887, they won over 50% of the popular vote but by 1912, their share of the vote was down to 26%. Consequently the imperial govt. had to find support from other parties if the legislation was to be ratified |
| What can be said about the centre party in the wilhelmine era? | The Zentrum consistently won between 90 and 110 seats and was the largest party in the Reichstag until 1912. It aligned with different sides depending on the occasion. |
| What can be said about the SPD in the Wilhelmine era? | Wilhemine era saw a rise in this party. Liberated by the lapse of the Anti-socialist law in 1890, the SPD appealed to Germanys growing industrial working class In 1893 it won 11 per cent of the vote In 1912 it was extremely well organized and won 28% of the vote becoming the largest party in the Reichstag |
| Why was the SPD in the Wilhelmine Era far form united? | The SPD = far from united In 1891 it adopted an uncompromising Marxist Programme to overthrow the Wilhelmine class system. However, many SPD members, who were committed to democratic socialism, favoured the Party’s so called minimum programme. Given that most SPD deputies talked in favour of revolution, the other political parties regarded the SPD as a force of evil. |
| What was the minimum programme? | The name given to the plans of moderate socialists who were opposed to violent revolution. They wanted to bring about government ownership of banks, coal mines and industry and for so called social equality |
| What were interest groups? | In the 1890s, professionally led interest groups became powerful. Some were economic lobby groups – people who campaigned to persuade politicians to pass legislation favouring particular interests – like Agrarian league. There was also nationalist pressure groups – these included the Pan-German League, The Navy League and Colonial Society These organizations were a symptom of escalating political participation, especially on the part of the middle class |
| Describe the Pan German League | Formed 1893, the League was powerful right wing nationalist movement. It supported both the expansion in Europe and worldwide |
| Who was Schlieffen and what did he say? | Count Schlieffen (head of general staff from 1891 until 1906) war is too serious a business to be left to politicians Most German civilian leaders agreed: they didn’t question the expertise of Schlieffen or his master-plan in even of war – a plan which most German politicians were unaware of it |
| Describe the position of the army in 1913 | 1913 – the German army was 800000 strong, the reserve officer corps was 120000 strong The army = no longer so Prussian dominated or aristocratically led as it had been under Bismarck – most officers = now from middle class Nevertheles, 1913 = over half the officers in rank of colonel or above = aristocrats |
| Why did the army retain its right wing contempt? | Officers weren’t selected by competitive examination, but by regimental commanders who tened to pick men of like mind and background Bourgeois officers aped the ways of their aristocratic brothers-in-arms Thus the army remained right-wing force whose officers often regarded civilians with contempt |
| Was Wilhelms Germany autocratic of democratic? Assess this | Structuralist and anti-structuralist historians tend to agree that Wilhelmine Germany was a reactionary state – a state in which (according to the structuralists) the old elites exerted huge influence or a state in which (anti-structuralists) the Kaiser was an authoritarian ruler. However it was more democratic than scholars believed • The german press had considerable freedom and criticisms of the Kaiser were commonplace – Wilhelms expressions of autocratic power envoked storms of protest • By the early 20th century, the Reichstag had an impressive legislative record and a central place in the popular imagination. Remarkable fairness characterized most election campaigns • The govt. needed a Reichstag ,ajority in order to push through legislation. Above all it needed the Reichstag to agree both to how money was collected and how it was spent. The budgetary rights of the Reichstag were strengthened as the fiscal burden, especially military and navel spending, increased • Given the growth in the political activity, Germanys leaders often responded to rather than manipulated publi |
| What famous incident happened in 1906 and what did this prove? | A cobbler in a captains uniform led 10 soldiers to the Kopenick town hall and arrested the mayor, stealing 5000 marks This showed the authority the military held |
| Why did some people not like the German army? | Its brutal handling of industrial disputes and military privileges which made some educated citizens resentful and how it excluded minorities |
| By 1914, how many men belonged to ex-servicemens organizations? | 3 million |
| By the 20th century, what had nationalism become? | A conservative force bent on keeping the status quo in a militarized Germany, nationalists wanted to created an ethnically and linguistically homogenous nation-state |
| when did the German constitution extend total civil equality to jews? | 1871 |
| In 1900 why did the the Jewish population held significance in German? | Because at this time, many Jewish people from Russia had fled prosecution and settled in Germany |
| Why did militant german nationalists dislike Jewish people? | Because they represented liberalism, socialism and pacifism |
| Who was Caprivi? | Leo Caprivi was a middle aged soldier with a good administrative record but little political experience who became chancellor in 1890 |
| What social reform did Caprivi do? | he made concessions to socialists, Poles and Centrists. for example, he lapsed the anti-socialist laws and allowed polish populated areas speak the polish language for teaching purposes |
| What social members did Caprivi do? | In 1891 sunday work was prohibited the employment of children under thirteen was forbidden women were forbidden to work more than 11 hours a week courts were set up to arbitrate industrial disputes |
| What was Caprivi's tariff reform? | 1879 Tarrif Act Prompted by wheat shortages and a rise in food prices, Caprivi negotiated a series of commercial treaties with Austria, Italy, Russia and a number of smaller states between 1891 and 1894 Germany agreed to reduce tariffs on agricultural imports in return for favorable rates for German manufactured goods |
| who opposed the tariff reform? | The agrarian league and conservatives |
| what was caprivis army bill? | he angered the rich further by reducing the period of military service from three years to two He also alienated the left by introducing an army bill that increased the peacetime army strength by 84000 men |
| what happened when this bill was defeated? | when the army bill was defeated, caprivi dissolved the Reichstag and in the 1893 election, conservatives and national liberals improved their position and the new reichstag passed it |
| Why did Caprivi fall from power? | wilhelm presset Caprivi to draw up new anti socialist measures as he was frightened by a series or archaist outrages (the stabbing of french president etc) and aware that the Reichstag wouldn't tolerate it he refused Wilhelm and Eulengburg then went on to devise a plan to change the constitution increasing the kaisers power at the reichstags expense to crush socialism however Caprivi managed to talk wilhelm out of this but having lost the kaisers confidence he resigned in 1894 |
| Who was prince Hohenlohe? | he was a 75 year old bavarian aristocrat with mildly liberal views but he soon became more of a figurehead as he was not the man to restrain wilhelm |
| What happened in 1897 in terms of Socialism? | a state of deadlock was reached between the government and the Reichstag as they rejected all efforts to pass an anti-socialist law |
| why did the government decide on Weltpolitik in 1897? | -industrialists had created economic demands for the acquisition of raw materials and markets beyond europe -german nationalists believed that Germanys survival as a leading nation necessitated a more active policy -pressure groups like the pan-german league and navy league popularized the message of weltpolitik and exhorted pressure on the german government to pursue the policy to the full -it was a deliberate attempt to make Germany into a world power on a par with Britain |
| What was the German naval expansion? | In the quest for Weltpolitik the German navy was to be expanded to be on a par with Britain but this was a miscalculation as it only threatened them which was foolish as: -Germany needed Britain to support them against the threat of Russia and France -Britain might look for support elsewhere |
| when was the naval bill carried out and with how many votes? | 1898 and with 212/139 votes |
| What was the hard labour bill? | A bill passed by Wilhelm that said anyone who caused a strike and stopped someone else form working hard would be imprisoned |
| Was the hard labour bill accepted? | it was largely rejected by the Reichstag |
| Who was Bulow? | Bulow was a competent administrator who was mainly interested in foreign policy |
| What financial problems did Bulow face? | mounting costs of the army as well as the expansion of the navy resulted in a large deficit in 1905, Bulow proposed an increase in inheritance tax and indirect tax to deal with this but the centre party and spd voted down on inheritance taxes which would have hit ordinary Germans hard and the conservatives weakened inheritance tax |
| What was the Eulenburg affair? | in 1906 journalist Maximilian Harden published a series of articles exposing homosexuals who had high positions in the German army In 1907 Harden made similar insinuations about Wilhelm's best friend Eulenburg Male homosexual acts were an offense in the 1871 criminal code and there were a series of trails, |
| What was the Daily Telegraph affair? | autumn 1908 following an article in the daily telegraph Wilhelm expressed his wish for closer relations with Britain but the tone of his remarks were ill considered and tactless and below was responsible for clearing the article before publications but did not |
| Describe Bulows fall | Wilhems trust in Bulo was weakened after the telegraph affair and he was determined to get rid of him |
| What budgetary problems did Bethmann-Hollweg encounter? | in 1912-13, the problems of imperil finance and defence came to a head both the army and navy submitted expenditure plans and fortunately for Bethmann-Hollwag inheritance tax was finally accepted but it did not solve the financial crisis by 1914 the reich debt reached 5 billion marks and given that taxes were unpopular with both the left and the right there was no easy solution |
| what happened in terms of the prussian constitution? | in 1908 demands for reform increased when the SPD won 23% of the vote and got 7 seats whilst the conservatives got 16% and 212 seats |
| What was the zabern affair? | relations between alsace-lorraine and the rest of Germany were poor and at zabern in a-l, a young officer made remarks about alsatian recruits that led to several demonstrations during one disturbance in november 1913, the commanding officer ordered his men to clear the streets and 28 citizens were detained overnight in the barracks leading to public and official protests wilhelm sent the soldiers away instead of punishing them and the affair continued, B-H received a vote of no confidence as he denied the army were in the wrong as they answered only to the Kaiser and not the Reichstag |
| What two strengths did Germany have in the army? | the worlds finest army and the worlds second best navy |
| what advantage did Germany and Austria have? | internal lines of communication |
| why were the allies stronger? | russia = europes biggest countries britain = worlds best navy france = could call on large empires for support |
| in total, how many German men were conscripted? | 13 million |
| how many people died of hypothermia in 1918? | 293000 |
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