Challenges Facing the Kaiser

Question 1

Challenge #1 : The growth of Socialism

Answer 1

• Social Democrat Party (SDP) hoped the Kaiser would share his power and work more cooperatively with the Reichstag
• SDP was popular among workers who hoped that the Reichstag might pass laws to improve their living and working conditions
• Extreme socialists suggested the Kaiser should be overthrown in a revolution
• Industrialisation and urbanisation is fundamental to the growth of socialism

Question 2

Challenge #2 : Calls for Parliamentary government

Answer 2

• Many political parties trying to win the votes of the German electorate
• Kaiser relied on the support of the right-wing political parties to pass his laws (e.g. the German Conservatives)
• During the 1900s, the right-wing parties started to lose power as more people voted for emerging left-wing parties
• E.g. Left-wing Liberals who wanted to create a parliamentary democracy - where the Government was responsible to the Reichstag, not the Kaiser
• E.g. Social Democrats - socialists who wanted major reforms to living and working conditions for ordinary people

Question 3

Growth of socialism #1 : Industrialisation

Answer 3

The working class was growing as a result of industrialisation. People who had moved to cities to work in the new factories wanted improvements to their working and living conditions

Question 4

Growth of socialism #1 : Social Democrats

Answer 4

Most workers voted for the Social Democrats who supported their demands. By 1912, the Social Democrats were the largest party in the Reichstag

Question 5

Growth of socialism #1 : Germany Divided

Answer 5

This made relations between the Kaiser and the Reichstag difficult. Germany was becoming divided. Right-wing, conservative groups wanted to keep things as they were. Left-wing groups wanted to see change

Question 6

How Kaiser dealt with demands for social reform : Sunday Working Banned

Answer 6

Reform: Children under 13 years of age could no longer be employed. Food prices were lowered

Question 7

How Kaiser dealt with demands for social reform : Workers’ Benefits Extended

Answer 7

Reform: Workers’ pension and insurance benefits were extended. However, workers suffered when food prices rose

Question 8

How Kaiser dealt with demands for social reform : Social Democrat leaders on trial

Answer 8

Repression: Wilhelm made a speech saying that any worker who went on strike and refused to work should be put in prison