Bismarckian Politics + Constitution

Question 1

Who are the National Liberals?

Answer 1

Formed in 1867
- Support Bismarck’s policy of German Unification
- Party of Protestant Middle Classes
- Supported by wealthy, well educated men (ie Bankers, merchants, civil servants)
- Favoured free trade, a strong Germany, a constitutional liberal state

Question 2

What was the National Liberals’ political stance in 1875?

Answer 2

Grew more conservative as members felt threatened by the strength of the Social Democratic Party

Question 3

What was the National Liberals’ opinion on Bismarck in the 1870’s?

Answer 3

Bismarck’s most enthusiastic supporters in the Reichstag, supporting his desire for a centralised state
However they grew increasingly at odds with him in their support for progressive social and constitutional laws

Question 4

Who are the Social Democratic Party (SPD)?

Answer 4

Founded in 1875 ( there was other socialist groupings since 1871)
- Represented the working classes + worked with trade unions
- Supported a reduction in power of the elites + extension of welfare reform
- The most extreme members wanted an overthrow of the constitution, but the majority was prepared to work within it, in order to bring better conditions for the masses

Question 5

Who are the Centre party (Zentrum)?

Answer 5

Founded in 1870
- Represented the German Catholics + Minorities opposed to Bismarck
- Party was strong in Southern German States (ie Bavaria, Rhineland)
- Led in the Reichstag by Catholic Hanoverian, Ludwig Windthorst

Question 6

Who are the German Conservative Party (DKP)?

Answer 6

Adopted the DKP name in 1876
- Mainly represented Protestant and Aristocratic Prussian Junker Landowners
- The most right wing of the political groups and detested the Reichstag as it was elected by universal suffrage
- Generally supported Bismarck, but was concerned at times with Bismarck and slight links to nationalism and liberalism
- Moderate force in the Reichstag, but dominant in Prussian Landtag (state government)

Question 7

Who are the Free Conservatives (FKP)?

Answer 7

Formed in 1871
- Represented landowners, industrialists, businessmen
- Members were strong supporters of Bismarck + admired his achievement of uniting Germany
- Unlike the DKP, they approved of Bismarck’s resort to liberalism in his form of constitutional government
- Geographic base was wider than DKP

Question 8

Who are the Progressives (DFP)?

Answer 8

Founded in 1861
- Believed in a liberal, constitutional state that allowed free trade and was subject to the rule of law, but disliked centralism + militarism-> didn’t like Bismarck
- Also disliked Bismarck’s anti-socialist laws and later restrictions on free trade
- Wanted to extend the powers of the Reichstag

Question 9

Who is the Kaiser?

Answer 9

Hereditary Monarch + King of Prussia

Question 10

What was the role of the Kaiser?

Answer 10

• Appointed + dismissed the Chancellor + other ministers
• Could call + dissolve the Reichstag
• Commanded the army directly
• Controlled foreign policy, including right to make treaties, alliances and declare war if attacked
• Gave assent to all laws (with the Chancellor)
• Devised policies and laws in consultation with his chosen chancellor, ministers + Bundesrat
• Had the final say in any dispute over the constitution

Question 11

Who is the Government?

Answer 11

Chancellor + ministers

Question 12

What is the role of the Government

Answer 12

• Appointed and dismissed by the Kaiser (responsible only to him, not the Reichstag)
• Decided outlines of policy with the Kaiser/Bundesrat
• Chancellor + Kaiser gave assent to all laws

Question 13

What is the Reichstag?

Answer 13

Parliament/the Lower House

Question 14

How were deputies elected into the Reichstag?

Answer 14

• Members (deputies) elected by males over 25
• Deputies had the right to free speech
• Elections held every 3 years by an indirect voting system which varied in different regions

Question 15

What is the role of the Reichstag?

Answer 15

• Gave consent to all laws (including the annual budget which assessed the raising and spending of taxes)
• Could question, debate and agree to or reject a law proposed by the Chancellor
• Could not amend the law
• Could not demand the dismissal of the chancellor or any other minister

Question 16

What is the Bundesrat?

Answer 16

The Upper House
- 58 representatives from 25 state governments in proportion to size of state
(ie Prussia was the largest state, had 17 members)

Question 17

What is the role of the Bundesrat?

Answer 17

• Presided over by the chancellor
• Could initiate legislation
• Decisions decided by majority vote except for any proposal to alter the constitution, which needed a majority of 14
• Had to approve new laws (along with the Reichstag, Chancellor + Kaiser)
• Could veto all legislation apart from a budget approved by the Reichstag
• Had to give approval to the Kaiser for a declaration of war (in cases where Germany was not under attack)

Question 18

What is Socialism?

Answer 18

A political and economic theory that advocates that production, distribution and exchange should be owned and regulated by the community as a whole (rather than by private businesses)

Question 19

What is Conservatism?

Answer 19

Commitment to traditional values and ideas with opposition to change and innovation

Question 20

What is Liberalism?

Answer 20

Commitment to an individual and a society where individuals can pursue and realise their own interests, and rights before the law (ie private property, equality of opportunity, autonomy)

Question 21

What is Nationalism?

Answer 21

Commitment, loyalty, devotion, allegiance to a nation or a nation state

Question 22

What is Absolutism?

Answer 22

Political system where 1 ruler or leader has complete power and, sovreignity and authority over a country

Question 23

Words to describe Bismarck?

Answer 23

Opportunistic
Pragmatic

Question 24

Who is the Chancellor?

Answer 24

• ‘The highest official in the Reich’ + ‘Minister-President of Prussia’
• Responsible to the Emperor, not Parliament
• Chairman of the Bundesrat
• Appointed government ministers
• Could ignore resolutions passed by the Reichstag

Question 25

What is the role of the Federal government?

Answer 25

Centralised government with specific responsibilities for the Reich as a whole

Question 26

What is the role of the State government?

Answer 26

Regional government with responsibilities- for individual states
(ie education, direct taxation, health, local justice etc)

Question 27

Was the Constitution more liberal or Bismarck and Prussian orientated?

Answer 27

The Constitution was more undemocratic + authoritarian + Prussian dominated

BUT there were some liberal aspects (ie universal male suffrage- not in Britain at the time)

Question 28

Why did the Constitution have some liberal elements in it?

Answer 28

Bismarck was trying to win support by including more forward thinking elements, but ultimately believed German workers and peasants had traditional values like him
- Hoped their support could keep the middle class liberals at bay

Question 29

Why did Liberals find difficulty identifying with the new German state?

Answer 29

Became increasingly conscious Bismarck’s empire was not the united German that had been long desired for

Question 30

Why did Conservatives find difficulty identifying with the new German state?

Answer 30

Some remained unreconciled to the idea of a united Germany

Question 31

Why did the Worker’s movement find difficulty identifying with the new German state?

Answer 31

Felt the unification did little to improve their lot and that the system had been deliberately designed to prevent them from achieving their goals

Question 32

What is Bismarck’s political alignment in terms of parties?

Answer 32

Since becoming Minster he doesn’t identify with or support any particular party- only works in the direction of bringing permenant unity to the state of Germany
- believes Government can’t submit itself to the domination of a single party, but does require the support from them