6 The Political, Economic and Social Condition of Germany by 1914 Flashcards
Define ingenuousness
Innocence and lack of cunning
What was the new constitution like overall?
It was forward thinking in at the establishment of a representative reichstag but it placed government firmly in the hands of the Kaiser and the Chancellor
How was the position of Chancellor vulnerable and powerful?
Being Chancellor was powerful as in 1878 Bismarck discarded the national liberals and replaced them with support from the Conservatives and centre
Being Chancellor was vulnerable as political support was still very tenuous, there were increasing problems with the watchdog and the arguments between Willhelm II
What were 5 reasons for why there were tensions higher within Willhelm II’s government?
- There was a fear of socialism
- As industrialisation increased, right-wing conservatives increasingly lobbied for protective policies
- Weltpolitik
- Chancellors found it difficult to raise money for the military and social expenditure via Reichstag
- Chancellors disregard for democracy, the Daily Telegraph of 1908 and Zabern Affair of 1913
How was the second Reich affected by the economic position of Germany by 1914?
There was rapid and successful industrialisation
Expansion of both old and new industries, Improvements in communication, increased urbanisation, wider availability of modern machinery, production of chemical fertilisers
How was growth uneven?
Some areas of Germany remains predominantly rural, but in the Ruhr, Saar, A-L, Silesia, Saxony and Berlin Industry boomed
Northern sea ports expanded as centres of ship building and trade
Germany 1/3 of all noble prizes awarded for science between 1909 and 1914
Which large firms and cartels formed and in what industry?
Steel magnates: Krupps and Thyssen
Chemicals: BASF, Bayer, Hoechst and Agfa
Electrical: Siemens, Bosch and AEG
Cars: Benz, Daimler
