Booklet 1 - The Second Reich Flashcards
How many states made up the German Confederation in 1815?
39 sovereign states
Who lead Prussia in the German Confederation?
Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck
King Wilhelm I of Prussia
When was Germany Unified?
18th January 1871
What was the seven week war?
A war between Austria and Prussia
June-July 1866
Prussia won leading to the treaty of prague
What did the 1866 treaty of Prague accomplish?
The creation of a German State ruled by Prussia
Two thirds of all germans were now part of a German State
What did Germany gain from the Franco-Prussian was 1870?
Alsace-Lorraine and £200,000
How many Soldiers did both sides have in the 7 week war?
Prussia - 300,000
Austria - 400,000
How much were members of the reichstag paid?
Nothing
What power did the Reichstag have over the Kaiser?
And what power did the Kaiser have over the Reichstag?
The Reichstag could Agree/ Reject laws proposed by the Kaiser
The Kaiser could dissolve the Reichstag
Who elected the Reichstag?
Male suffrage over 25
What power did the Bundesrat have over the Reichstag?
Could veto their legislation with just 14 (of 58) votes
Allowing states to undermine Prussia
How did Bismarck’s constitution create a single Germany?
One currency (the mark), Standardised measurements and weights.
A single Germany flag was created in 1892
How were states free to be partially sovereign?
All States were allowed to keep a constitution
However this encouraged difference i governing
How did Bismarck weaken the Reichstag?
1) Members received no pay, so the poor couldnt join
2) The Reichstag couldnt introduce legislations just vote on ones Bismarck or the king presented
3) Bundesrat could veto legislations
4) Could be dissolved
What percent of federal expenditure went to the army?
80%
Why did conscription aid Bismarck?
Men were forced i to 2-3 years of being taught loyalty, discipline and pride in prussia
When did the SAPD become the SPD?
1875
What were the results of the 1871 election?
National Liberals - 30%
Centre Party - 18.6%
Why did Bismarck work with the national liberals?
1) They were the largest party, if he kept the somewhat happy, he could remain in power for a longer period
2) They both feared the Catholic support of the centre party (hence The Kulturkampf)
What was the positive of splitting the national liberals?
He now had a more conservative party to lead
What were the negatives of splitting the national liberals?
1) Centre Party was now the biggest party in the Reichstag
2) The liberal union gained more votes than the more right side
3) The Reichstag was now completely unmanageable
When was the Declaration of Papal Infallibility?
1870
When was the Syllabus of Errors?
1864
What did the Bread Basket Law do?
Withdrew financial support for priests who didn’t publicly declare support for the german state
When was the Kulturkampf?
1871-1887
How long did Bismarck work with the National Liberals?
1871-1878
By 1879 how many priests had been exiled or jailed?
1,800
Protestant males were how much more likely to get into university than Catholics?
Protestant males were 50% more likely to get into university than Catholics
How much of the vote has the Catholic Centre party gained by 1874?
27.9% due to the Kulturkampf
Compared to 18.6% in 1871
What was the national holiday and why did some not celebrate it?
Battle of Sedan
Defeat of the French in the Franco-Prussian war
Some saw it only as a celebration of Prussia and its militarism
Why did Bismarck target minorities?
1) To unite the public in their hatred
2) Divert attention from the need for more reform
When were the Assassination attempts Bismarck used to condemn Socialism
1878, despite the fact they had no links to socialism or the SADP
How many Socialists were imprisoned between 1878-90
1500 socialists
When was the SADP banned?
1878 along with all other socialist meetings
How many votes did the newly renamed SDP get in 1890?
1 Million and 35 Reichstag seats
Which State is Berlin in?
Prussia
