2.1 Political, economic, social, cultural, and ideological trends Flashcards
Wilhelm II
. Arrogant, changeable, neurotic . Breech birth delivery led to partial paralysis of left arm and damage to balance mechanism in ear . Angry and insecure bc of his arm . Bad relationship with parents . Grandmother was Queen Victoria
The Bundesrat
. Had been at the centre of Bismarck’s system
. Upper house of national parliament made up of men chosen by various states. Essentially conservative
. Declined in influence after 1890: increasing no. of bills were first discussed by main political parties, then intro’d to the Reichstag rather than the Bundesrat
The Reichstag
. Negligible power to initiate new laws
. No party or coalition ever formed the govt of the day
. Even a vote of no confidence in the Chancellor had minimal effect
. So, although Germany had universal male suffrage, the Kaiser’s authority in many areas was impervious to popular control
Right Wing Parties
. Relied on by Wilhelm on most issues
. Conservatives, Free Conservatives, National Liberals
. After 1890: voting strength of these was in decline
. 1887: won over 50% of popular vote
. 1912: share of vote was down 26%
. So, imperial govt needed new allies for legislation to be passed
The Centre Party
. Consisitently won 90-110 seats
. Largest Reichstag party until 1912
. Rep Catholics, wide spectrum of socio-political views ranging from conservatism to progressive social reform
. By 1900: pivotal party, allying with left or right
The Social Democrat Party
. Meteoric rise in Wilhelmine era
. Liberated by lapse of anti-Socialist Law in 1890
. Appealed to growing working class
. 1893: won 11% of popular vote, 28% in 1912, becoming largest party in Reichstag
. Adopted Marxist programme in 1891, divided the party
. Many members favoured the minimum programme
. Other political parties saw them as a force for evil
Interest Groups
. 1890s: interest groups became powerful
. Economic lobby groups like the Agrarian League
. Trade unions, national pressure groups
. The Pan German League, the Navy League, and the Colonial Society
The States
. Urbanisation, better comms, influence of ed and military service eroded provincial isolation
. Issues were German, not state issues
. Imperial authority inexorably gained at the expense of that of the states
. Functions of Reich govt expanded, limiting state roles
Prussia
. Landtag, elected by 3 class male suffrage system gave disproportionate political weight to the rich . German Chancellors were Prussian PMs: as imperial chancellors they had to pursue liberal policy, as Prussian PMs they had to respond to Conservative majority
The Army - Rules/Responsibilities
. Officers were selected by regimental commanders who tended to pick men of a like-minded background, remaining a right wing force whose officers often regarded civilians with contempt
. Special status of army prevented modernisation of political system, most civilians admired military virtues and had faith in the army
The Army - how had it changed from Bismarck’s Germany?
. Wilhelm II found it hard to stand up to military chiefs
. Civilian ministers weren’t consulted when the General Staff drew up war plans
. No longer so Prussian dominant or aristocratically led
. By 1913: German army: 800,000; Reserves: 120,000
Structuralist Argument
The political life of Germany was determined by the economy, the power structure, and class conflicts played out by various interest groups . Wilhelm was a "shadow Kaiser", lacked strength to determine coherent policy . Elites tried imposing 'anti-modern' and 'anti-democratic' values on Germany . Elites co-operated with new leaders to maintain their position
The Intentionalist Argument
. Structuralist is too sweeping, exaggerates unity of purpose within the elites
. Junker influence was in decline, even in the army
. Weltpolitik had little to do with social imperialism
. Historians like John Rohl have shown that the Kaiser’s power and influence were considerable when he chose to intervene
Germany - autocratic or democratic?
. German press had considerable freedom and critics of the Kaiser were commonplace
. By early 20th century, Reichstag had fairness in most campaigns
. Govt needed a Reichstag majority to push through legislation + to agree how money was collected/spent
. Given growth in political activity, Germany’s leaders often responded to rather than manipulated public opinion
Economic trends
. German steel production increased nearly 9 fold
. By 1914 German output was near double of Britain’s
. AEG and Siemens dominated world electrical industry
. By 1914 near half of world’s electrical products originated from Germany
. German chemicals industry led the way in production of fertilisers, dyes and pharmaceutical products
. Daimler-Benz manufactured the world’s first marketable automobile
