1890-1914: Pre-war Empire Under Wilhelm II

Question 0

Significance if Pan-German league in terms of nationalist ideas?

Answer 0

Grossdeutschland revived. Fichte’s ideology of uniting across all regional characteristics revived.

Question 1

When were the leagues formed?

Answer 1

Colonial League 1887
Pan German League 1891
Navy League 1898

Question 2

What was Weltpolitik and why was it introduced?

Answer 2

Interests in international colonies and status. Introduced to mask internal political and social divisions.

Question 3

Significance of the leagues in terms of popularity of Nationalism?

Answer 3

Nationalism was diversifying.
Leagues were anti establishment as they pressurised government to change.
But nationalism also pro and part of establishment.

Question 4

When and why did romanticism revive during Wilhelm’s reign?

Answer 4

1898. Outbursts of poetry and literature. Navy league. National pride

Question 5

When did Germany gain land abroad?

Answer 5

1899: purchase of Pacific islands from Spain.

1905, 1911: gained land in Central Africa due to Moroccan Crises.

Question 6

What event showed Prussian ambition and pride 1899-1903?

Answer 6

Building of the Berlin-Baghdad railway.

Question 7

What was the Daily Telegraph Affair 1908 and what were it’s consequences?

Answer 7

Humiliating article published in Daily Telegraph after Wilhelm’s interview with a British Journalist. Demonstration of Weltpolitik.
Bulow became unpopular as he approved the article carelessly.

Question 8

Army recruits in 1908 stats? Relating to economic growth.

Answer 8

Only 39 out of 160,588 were illiterate.

Expanding rate of education fed Wilhelm’s military ambition.

Question 9

1912 constitutional crisis and division?

Answer 9

SPD won 110 seats in Reichstag and had 1/3 of popular vote.

International aims to mask internal political divisions.