Booklet 1 :) Flashcards
When was Germany Unified
1871
How many states had been united?
39
How did sovereignty present a problem to unified Germany
22 states each had their own sovereigns
How was the relationship between states (2)
No real cooperation other than trade and common defence
Strong independent regional values
How did minorities present a problem to unified Germany
There were many non-German speaking minorites
How did religions present a problem in unified Germany?
There was conflict between religions.
Protest Prussia and Catholic Bavaria
Who could the Kaiser appoint and dismiss (3)
Bundesrat
Reichstag Chancellor
What was the Kaiser in control of (2)
Foreign policy
Armed forces
Who could elect MPs?
Men over 25
What control did the Reichstag have over laws?
Could agree / veto laws
What was the Reichstag’s key power
Control of the budget
How often was the Reichstag elected
Every 5 years
How many members of the Bundesrat were there?
58
17 from Prussia, 6 from Bavaria
What control did the Bundesrat have over legislation?
Could veto legislation passed by the Reichstag with 14 votes
What did Bismarck do to unite the states through the problem with sovereignty?
Each of the 22 rulers were given a lot of power, and sat just under the Kaiser, but the sovereignty ended with them
Give 4 ways Bismarck used the constitution to unite Germany legally
A single Germany currency was created (mark)
Standardised weights and measurements.
A national legal system
German railway system
What did the constitution of 1871 establish Germany as?
A federal state with the separate states retaining certain powers under Prussian dominance
What was the disparity between the Southern and Northern states?
The southern states had more privileges as Bismarck had to make deals with them in order for them to join
How were voters separated?
3 sections, with each section electing 1/3 of parliament
Lowest tax payers - 85% of population
Top tax payers - 5%
Middle tax payers 10%
What prevented lower class people from being members of the Reichstag
Reichstag members wouldn’t be paid
What limited the Reichstag’s power over legislation (2)
Could not initiate legislation
Could be vetoed by the Bundesrat
Why did Bismarck allow a democratic vote
Thought it would minimise liberal influence
Encourage monarchy support
What democratic benefit did the Reichstag have? (2)
Open forum of debate with parliamentary immunity
Lots of press attention
What was the drawback of dissolving the Reichstag for Bismarck
Would take too long to dissolve Reichstag every time