1900-1914 Politics

Question 1

Chancellor von Bulow

Answer 1

1900-1909, sought to align conservative and centrist forces through the policy of ‘bringing together’ or Sammlungspolitik.
This created his voting ‘Bulow bloc’ of non-socialist parties.
Tried to appease socialist with social reforms such as sickness insurance in 1903 and child labour in 1908.
Challenged in the budgetary crisis and Hottentot election of 1906-7.
Resigned after loss of Kaiser’s support in the Daily Telegraph Affair.

Question 2

Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg

Answer 2

1909-1916
In 1913, following the Zabern Affair, Bethmann lost a vote of no confidence in the Reichstag, but the R didn’t have the constitutional power do enforce it.
Had success later in 1913 with the Army Bill where he gained the needed SPD support for army expansion through progressive taxation.

Question 3

Political developments: the left

Answer 3

Growing urban working class (by 1910, 60% population in urban areas) led to expansion of left wing political organisations. By 1912, the SPD was the most popular party with 110 seats in the Reichstag. This growth became a threat to the conservative elites.

Question 4

Political developments: the right

Answer 4

A rise in nationalist parties as a result of the economic growth and social changes and right wing parties like the DKP becoming more extremist and conservative.
Pressure groups such as the Agrarian League