1890-1933 part 1 Flashcards
When did Wilhelm II become Kaiser ?
1888
What was ‘weltpolitik’ ?
World policy- The Kaiser wanted to challenge Britain as the world’s leading power
Between what two years were the naval laws put in place?
1898-1912
Why did the Kaiser want put the Naval laws in place?
He wanted to grow an empire and stop the Britain from being the world’s leading power
What type of monarch was Kaiser Wilhelm II
An absolute monarch
What is an absolute monarch?
A monarch with absolute power
How did Germany pay for the increase in naval laws and weapon making?
Had to take loans and increase taxes
What was necessary to make sure Germany didn’t become bankrupt?
Germany HAD to win WWI
What did ordinary people struggle with under the Kaisers rule?
poor living and working conditions
How would workers try to to get better working and living conditions?
Organize strikes and trade unions
When was WWI?
1914-1918
What was the Reichstag?
The German parliament
What effect did the Reichstag have on the Kaisers decisions?
Very limited effects since he ignored them
Before 1914 how many people voted for the SPD?
1/3 of Germans voted for the SPD
Why did 1/3 of Germans vote for the SPD before 1914?
They wanted to control the power of the kaiser and make Germany more democratic
Why was the war very popular at first with the German people?
They thought that they would be able to win very quickly
Into 1915 what did the number of anti-war protests increase to ?
500-10,00
When did Britain place a naval blockade on Germany?
1914-18
What was turnip winter?
from 1916-17 when the British naval blockade stopped supplies entering Germany causing civilians and soldiers to not have enough food
Who profited from the war in Germany?- what was the effect?
many factory owners- this increased divisions within society
How many soldiers were killed in WWI?
Over 2 million
What were some political impacts of the war?
-Revolution in Germany-Socialist and Communist councils set up
-The Kaiser abdicated
-Ex-soldiers felt it was political turmoil which led to Germany’s loss
-The politicians that signed the Armistice were known as the November criminals
What were some economic impacts ?
-Borrowed money had to be repaid
-War pensions were costly
-Leant money was most likely lost
-Factories only producing war supplies so nothing to trade
What were some social impacts?
-600,000 German women had been left widowed
-2 million children were left fatherless
-German workers had limits placed on their wages
