1.1 Germany Under Kaiser Wilhelm II Flashcards
In what year was Germany unified as a single country?
1871
What was Kaiser Wilhelm II before he was the Kaiser?
He was the King of Prussia, a German state
When did the German Empire establish the Federal Constitution?
1890, this created a central government
When did Wilhelm II become Kaiser?
1888
What 2 things did the Kaiser have the power to do?
-To appoint or dismiss the Chancellor
-To dissolve the Reichstag
What were the Reichstag?
The parliament
What were 2 things the Kaiser was in charge of?
-In charge of Foreign Policy
-The German military (he was the head)
What was on Kaiser Wilhelm II’s agenda (plan)?
To expand the German Empire
What threatened Kaiser Wilhelm’s plan to expand the German Empire abroad?
The rise of socialism
Who advised Kaiser Wilhelm II about political decisions?
Right wing (conservative) army officers with an elite background.
What did the army officers have to do before advising the Kaiser?
Swear on an oath of loyalty to the Kaiser.
Who funded the army and how often?
The Reichstag funded the army every 5 years
What was the chancellor?
The Kaisers Chief Minister
What was the Chancellor’s job?
-Appoint Ministers and help make new policies
-Lead the Bundesrat (federal council) by proposing new subjects, issues and laws to be discussed.
What did the Chancellor have the power to do?
Ignore the Reichstag (parliament)
What was the Bundesrat?
The German Federal council
How many Representatives was the Bundesrat made up of?
58 representatives of each German state
What state dominated the Bundesrat?
Prussia
What 3 things did the Bundesrat do?
-Consulted over government policies
-Proposed laws to the Reichstag
-Approve any laws the Reichstag made
What was the Reichstag?
The German Government
How many Deputies were in the Reichstag and how were they elected?
There were 397 deputies who were elected by the German voters (men 25+)
What 2 things did the Reichstag have the power to do?
-Pass, alter or reject laws proposed by the Bundesrat or Chancellor
-Give or refuse military funding once every 5 years
Even though Kaiser Wilhelm could dissolve the Reichstag he could not…
Stop Parliament elections
Who could put pressure on the government and shape public opinion?
The Reichstag as they had their own political agenda
What was the Landtag’s?
A mini government or mini Reichstag for every state
What landtag was most influential?
The Prussian Landtag