1871-1914

Question 1

1871 Election

Answer 1

NL largest party (125). SPD in last (2).

Question 2

1890 Election

Answer 2

Zentrum largest party (106). SPD on 35 seats.

Question 3

1907 Election (Hottentot)

Answer 3

Zentrum largest party (105). SPD loses nearly 40 seats, and the Conservatives make gains.

Question 4

1912 Election

Answer 4

SPD largest party (110). Only the National Liberals work with them.

Question 5

Franco-Prussian War

Answer 5

1870-71 - led to the proclamation of Germany and Germany also took Alsace-Lorraine.

Question 6

Constitution (Kaiser)

Answer 6

King/Emperor of Russia. Appoint/dismiss the Chancellor. Could call Reichstag elections and determine foreign policy. It was a semi-absolutist role.

Question 7

Constitution (Chancellor)

Answer 7

Chief minister of the Reich (and often Minister-President of Prussia). Controlled Reichstag agenda and chaired Bundesrat.

Question 8

Constitution (Federal Power)

Answer 8

Controlled national infrastructure (railways/post) and defence

Question 9

Constitution (State Power)

Answer 9

Controlled (some) transport, education, healthcare and taxes.

Question 10

Constitution (Bundesrat)

Answer 10

The upper house/federal council. There were 58 seats that were allocated based on population; Prussia had 17 seats. 14 votes were required to veto a law, and the Bundesrat had power to amend the constitution.

Question 11

Constitution (Reichstag)

Answer 11

Elections initially held every 3 years and all men over 25 could vote. Had to approve all laws and could veto a budget.

Question 12

SPD Info

Answer 12

Formed in 1875 to represent working classes and trade unions. Some radical SPD members wanted to overthrow the constitution, but most were willing to work with parliament.

Question 13

Progressive/FMP Info

Answer 13

Centre/centre-left party that supported liberal democracy but opposed centrism. They wanted increased Reichstag powers and disliked anti-socialist laws.

Question 14

Zentrum Info

Answer 14

Founded in 1870 to represent Catholic minorities targeted by Kulturkampf (especially in Bavaria and Rhineland). Socially progressive.

Question 15

National Liberals Info

Answer 15

Formed in 1867 to support German unification; typically supported by protestant middle-classes. Grew more conservative from 1875 to oppose the SPD.

Question 16

FKP Info

Answer 16

The party for industrialists and businessmen, a liberal-conservative, pro-Bismarck party.

Question 17

DKP Info

Answer 17

Junker-supported, and most right wing group in the Reichstag, which they opposed. Dominated the Prussian landtag due to voting system.

Question 18

1874 Press Law

Answer 18

NL wanted free press but Bismarck wanted censorship - middle ground meant the government could hold media to account.

Question 19

Septennial Law

Answer 19

The army budget would not be voted on annually, but instead every seven years.

Question 20

Achievements of the 1871-74 Reichstag

Answer 20

Established a German national bank + single currency, abolished tariffs on international trade, harmonised weights and measures and established a national judicial system.

Question 21

NLs and Bismarck

Answer 21

1871-79 worked with Bismarck (largest party) BUT party became divided, which weakened opposition to unpopular policy

Question 22

Kulturkampf Reasons

Answer 22

Southern states who were most likely to leave the union were mainly Catholic, Zentrum threatened Bismarck’s power, 1874 “Syllabus of Errors”