Background

Question 1

How was Germany’s style of governance in 1871-1918 democratic?

Answer 1

• Members of the reichstag could agree/reject laws proposed by the Kaiser
• Many parties
• Reichsrat: Elected ambassador from each state, had a veto on laws
• Vote every 3 years
• Written constitution

Question 2

How was Germany’s style of governance in 1871-1918 undemocratic?

Answer 2

• Only male suffrage
• Could not remove chancellor/government
• Kaiser: Inherited power, appointed/dismissed gov./ministers
• Could dissolve Reichstag
• Controlled foreign policy
• No statement on individual rights in the constitution

Question 3

Kaiser Wilhelm’s childhood

Answer 3

• Accident at birth, had a withered left arm and partially deaf. Then had shock therapy and was made to wear a brace
• Very strict parents
• Visited England/Queen Victoria often, was jealous of Britain’s Empire and powerful navy

Question 4

Kaiser Wilhelm’s personality

Answer 4

• Highly unstable/erratic
• Jealous, eager to prove himself

Question 5

Relationship with the family

Answer 5

• Very strict
• Visited Viccy often
• No allowances made for him when horse-riding so had great anxiety

Question 6

Kaiser Wilhelm’s effect on foreign policy

Answer 6

• Wanted a great empire/navy to rival Britain/France
• Began naval arms race with battleships (WELTPOLITIK - Naval laws)

Question 7

What part of German society supported The Kaiser’s military build-up?

Answer 7

The Great land-owning German families

Question 8

Who didn’t support Kaiser’s military build-up?

Answer 8

The working classes
- Not interested in empire
- Wanted a greater share of the national wealth (increase in living standards)
- Kaiser didn’t care, and taxed everyone highly

Question 9

What was The Kaiser’s personal philosophy regarding war?

Answer 9

He believed that war would bring the German people closer together

Question 10

What was the effect of The Kaiser’s policies and ideologies on the German people?

Answer 10

As a result of high taxes, socialism became more popular

Question 11

What was the German attitude to war pre-WW1?

Answer 11

• Men thrilled: eager to prove themselves, patriotic
• Expansion of German Empire in Europe quite appealing

Question 12

What changed in German attitudes in 1917?

Answer 12

• War fatigue appears, food shortages due to British naval blockades
• Winter of 1917 = Turnip winter: Disease and starvation
• Deutschmark loses 75% of its value between 1913-18, real earning fell by 20-30%
• Managed to knock Russia out of war in March 1918

Question 13

What did Germany do in March of 1918?

Answer 13

Germany launches a Spring Offensive to hopefully end the war, fails. By August 1918, the Generals can see it’s only a matter of time.