Bismarck

Question 1

When was Bismarck’s ‘rule’?

Answer 1

1871-1890

Question 2

What did Bismarck intend for Prussia’s place in the Reich?

Answer 2

-Intended Prussian domiance

Question 3

How did Prussia dominate at the start of the Reich?

Answer 3

• Possessed 60% of Germanys population and 2/3 of it’s territory
• Had 235 deputies out of 397 in Reichstag
• 17 seats in the Bundesrat so it could block any unwanted constitutional measures
• Prussian King was new Emperor = was head of the imperial executive, civil service and supreme warlord of Reich’s armed forces

Question 4

How did Prussia dominate the Reich?

Answer 4

• Prussian and imperial institutions were extreamly intertwined = Prussian minister of war was also imperial minister of war
• Prussian aristocracy held a dominant position politically, militarily and administrativly
• Prussian state parliment was dominated by the aristocrcy

Question 5

What voting system was used in the Bismarckian constitution?

Answer 5

Three-class system

Question 6

Powers of the Emperor

Answer 6

• Always the King of Prussia
• Could appoint and dismiss a Chancellor
• Dissolve RS
• Controlled foreign policy
• Commanded the army
• Could make treaties and alliances
• Supervised the execution of all federal law

Question 7

Powers of the Chancellor

Answer 7

• Chief Minister of the Reich
• Only responsible to emperor
• Decided upon Reich policy outlines
• Chaired sessions of the Bundesrat
• Could ‘hire and fire’ state secretaries responsible for the various gov ministries
• Could ignore resolutions passed by the RS
• Office was normally combined with the Minister Presidency of Prussia

Question 8

Federal

Answer 8

Centralised government with specific responsibilities for the Reich as a whole e.g. Foreign affairs, defence, civil and criminal law, customs, railways, postal service

Question 9

State

Answer 9

Regional government with specific responsibilities for individual states e.g. Education, transport, police, health