Bismarck - politics Flashcards
What role did Bismarck play as German Chancellor?
Controlled the governments of Prussia and German Empire.
Centre of policy
How did Bismarck push his policies through the Reichstag?
Lectured the Reichstag until he got their approval.
If he didn’t, he sought Wilhelm to dissolve the Reichstag.
What was the relationship like between the Kaiser and Bismarck?
Wilhelm I became entirely dependent on Bismarck and allowed him to do as he pleased
If the Kaiser and Chancellor disagreed, Bismarck would threaten to resign
In what ways was Bismarck’s power limited?
He was ultimately answerable to the Kaiser
Relied on the Reichstag when the army budget was up for renewal
What were the main policies of the National Liberals?
Supported Bismarck’s policy of German Unification
Favoured free trade, a strong Germany and a constitutional Liberal state.
Who made up the National Liberals?
Protestant middle class
What was the relationship between the National Liberals and Bismarck?
Supported Bismarck throughout the 1870s, but became increasingly at odds with him in their support for progressive social and constitutional laws.
Who made up the Centre Party/Zentrum?
German Catholics
What were the policies of the Zentrum?
Preserve the position of the Catholic Church, especially in education.
Conservative regarding the constitution
Favoured greater decentralisation
Liberal in social reform
Where were the Centre Party strong?
Strong in the South - particularly Bavaria and the Rhineland
Who did the Social Democratic Party represent?
Working classes and trade unions
What were the policies of the SDP?
Supported a reduction in power of the elites and the extension of welfare reforms
What was the “Liberal era”?
1871-78 - National Liberals were the dominant party in the Reichstag - 125 out of 397 seats. Bismarck formed an alliance with the Liberals.
What were the advantages of having an alliance with the Liberals?
Bismarck divided the Liberals and reduced the strength of their opposition against his other policy.
What laws did Bismarck pass in the “Liberal era” which furthered unification?
January 1876 - established a single currency
Turned the Prussian state bank into the Reichsbank
Began the process of standardising law, based on Prussian law codes
Harmonised weights and measures
Harmonised the postal system
Established a uniform law of commerce
Established a single court system
What laws did Bismarck pass in the “Liberal era” to further free trade?
Abolished tariffs on all internal trade
Extended and joined the railway system across the whole empire.
What did Bismarck do that strained his relationship with the National Liberals?
Press Law of 1874 - undermined the liberal principle of freedom of press
Tried to persuade the Reichstag that they should grant money for the army on a permanent basis so that military matters could be completely taken out of the Reichstag’s control
Septennial Law
When was the Press Law and what was it?
1874 - allowed the government to prosecute editors who published material that they did not approve of.
What was the Septennial Law?
Reichstag would vote on the military budget every seven years
Why was Bismarck afraid of Socialism?
Success of the SPD
Long history of socialism
What enabled Bismarck to pass the Anti-Socialist Laws?
May 1878 - attempt on the Kaiser by a plumber and ex-member of the SPD - tried to pass the laws then but failed
June 1878 - another attempt on the Kaiser by someone with socialist sympathies - passed the laws after this
What were the Anti-Socialist Laws?
Could fine or imprison people involved with the SPD
Organisations that through social-democratic activities planned to overthrow the state were forbidden
Trade unions and cultural associations with links to socialism were banned.
How many people were imprisoned or put to hard labour under the anti-socialist laws?
15,000
How successful were the anti-socialist laws?
Initial decline in SPD support, but then grew throughout 1880s despite the renewal of the laws.
Prominent socialists expelled from major cities
Socialists emigrate
Trade unions crushed, but revived a few years later
Secret Socialist conferences were held abroad.
What policies were introduced under state socialism?
1889 - old age and disability insurance
May 1883 - Medical insurance introduced
June 1884 - accident insurance
How was state socialism received?
Some workers liked it, others through it a sham due to opposition of Trade unions and socialism
Some Liberals opposed the scheme as it extended the role of the state and threatened individual freedom
Employers disliked the trouble and expense of having to stamp the insurance book for each worker.
