1.2 Bismarck in Power Flashcards

Question

Political outcome of the Tariff Bill

Answer 1

. NLs split and lost influence . B had Conservatives, landowners, industrialists support, he had control over Reichstag . He'd shown his political skill and opportunism . The Reich became more united in its support of protectionism, presented as a patriotic necessity . Start of 'alliance of steel and rye'; saw an alliance between industry and agriculture

Answer 2

. Cost of living and living standards increased . German jobs were protected . Cost of living increase led to support of socialism . 'Frankenstein Clause' preserved budgetary rights of Reichstag and state parliaments . Drew North and South Germany together and accelerated growth of German industry

Answer 3

. Allowed prosecution of editors who published materials Bismarck didn't approve of . Undermined liberal principle of freedom of press and was passed with Conservative support . Showed that Bismarck wasn't working with National Liberals anymore

Answer 4

``` . Threat to the society he wished to maintain . Preached class warfare and the talked of the dictatorship of the proletariat . Socialist support rose as Germany became more industrialised: 1877, SPD won near 500,000 votes, giving them 12 seats in the Reichstag ```

Answer 5

. 1876: Bismarck tried to pass an bill preventing publication of socialist propaganda, defeated . May 1878: an anarchist tried to assassinate William I, B thought socialists were involved . A week later there was another attempt . B criticised NLs for not passing bills that might have prevented the attack from happening . He dissolved the Reichstag: SPD vote fell from 493,000 in 1877 to 312,000 . NLs lots 130,000 votes and 29 seats

Answer 6

. Anti-socialist bill passed October 1878: - Socialist organisations banned - Socialist meetings broken up - Socialist publications outlawed

Answer 7

. 1878-1890: 1,500 socialists imprisoned, many left . The law served to rally and fortify their beliefs . SPD members still stood for election, spoke freely . After the dip in 1878 the SPD increased support . By 1890 it had over 1 mil votes and 35 seats . Bismarck had failed again

Answer 8

. Sickness Insurance Act, 1883: gave medical treatment and up to 13 weeks sick pay to 3 mil low paid workers. Workers paid 2/3, employers 1/3 . Accident Insurance Act, 1884: protected workers who were permanently sick/disabled for more than 13 weeks. Financed by employers . Old Age and Disability Act, 1889: pensions for >70, disablement pensions for <70, paid for by workers, employers and the state

Answer 9

. Laid the foundations of the welfare state in Germany . The measures were the first of their kind in the world . Became a model of social provision for other countries

Answer 10

. Bismarck's hopes that working class would be won over by State Socialism weren't fully realised . Many workers thought the measures a 'sham' . The welfare legislation wasn't very generous . Bismarck didn't grant unemployment insurance . Many workers continued to work in harsh conditions . Bismarck opposed demands for state intervention to regulate working hrs and limit child + female employment

Answer 11

. 1881: the 3 liberal parties gained seats from the conservatives, so B could no longer depend on Reichstag support . 1884: conservatives won seats back after Bismarck rallied patriotic support with his colonial policy

Answer 12

. 1887: B was at odds with the Reichstag over the renewal of the army grant or Septennates. . The current Septennates weren't due to expire until 1888, but the international situation alarmed the guards who pressed for an early renewal . Late 1886: B asked the Reichstag to agree to substantial military increases . The Reichstag agreed only if in future it was allowed to review military expenditure every 3 yrs

Answer 13

. Bismarck was furious, he dissolved the Reichstag . He imagined France were ready for war . He warned that Germany would remain in danger til the Septennates were passed, only the Conservatives + NLs could be relied on to pass them . Bismarck's electoral stratagem worked . Conservatives + NLs won an absolute majority in 1887 and the Septennates were passed

Answer 14

. Wilhelm believed he ruled by the divine right of kings . The two were soon at odds . Wilhelm questioned the need to maintain the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia

Answer 15

. W thought he could win over working class by extending the welfare system to include ending child labour and Sunday working . B favoured further repression, in 1889 he proposed making the anti-socialist law permanent . W wanted the law watering down a bit . The Reichstag rejected B's entire bill in Jan 1890

Answer 16

. Wilhelm issued a proclamation promising new social legislation . B's counter signature wasn't on the proclamation . The election was a disaster for Bismarck . His Conservative + NL allies lost 85 seats while the Radicals gained 46 seats + Socialists won 24

Answer 17

. He proposed a wild scheme: the Reichstag would be asked to agree to a large increase in the army and a new, repressive anti-socialist law . If they refused, an assembly of German Princes would meet, alter the constitution, and drastically limit the Reichstag's powers . Wilhelm refused to support it, relations became worse

Answer 18

. B had revived an old order issued in 1852 which forbade ministers to approach the King except through the Minister-President of Prussia . So, no one could speak to W without being seen by B . W commanded that the order be withdrawn . B nearly threw an inkpot at W and enraged him by letting him see a letter from Tsar Alexander III which disparaged his talents

Answer 19

. W sent B an ultimatum: resign or be dismissed . 3 days later B sent a letter of resignation, justifying his actions, claiming that the differences between them were bc of W's pursuit of anti-Russian policy . The official announcement implied he'd stepped down for health reasons and that W had tried to get B to change his mind